€10 million in funding will develop new visitor experience at Battle of the Boyne site

€10 million in funding has been allocated for a renewed visitor experience of the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge

A commitment of €10 million from the Shared Island Fund has been made as part of the overall funding package for the project.

As a result of the State purchasing the site in 2000, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, located in Oldbridge House, opened to the public in summer 2008.

The plan aims to ensure the overall conservation and protection of the site, Contributing to the tourism and economic agenda across East Meath.

In 2022, the Estate welcomed close to 500,000 visitors, and the Visitor Centre in the house welcomed some 40,000 visitors to the exhibition.

Meath East TD, Thomas Byrne, spoke about the significance of the funding for county Meath.

“I’m delighted that the government have made a major investment in the development of a renewed visitor experience for the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge," said Byrne.

“It's essential we protect the Battle of the Boyne site with this €10 million investment so the East Meath community can embrace their local history.

“But crucially, it also allows the Unionist community in Northern Ireland to cherish their history on this island.

"The government is committed to maintaining this site so current and future generations can access this amenity. I have already engaged with senior officials in the OPW and have requested that more children’s facilities are developed and delivered on the site.

"Overall, this is significant investment from the state in the East Meath area following the acquisition of Dowth Hall last year."

Local Fine Gael Councillor, Sharon Tolan also welcomed the announcement of €800 million for Shared Island investment priorities, of which €10 million has been allocated to the Battle of the Boyne Site at Oldbridge.

“This funding is about all-island investment, boosting local and all-island economy and improving connections North and South," said Tolan.

"It is particularly wonderful news locally that the Government has confirmed a major investment in developing a renewed visitor experience for the Battle of the Boyne site as a priority to raise the heritage and tourism profile of Oldbridge which has a unique historic and community significance on the island,"she added.

"A commitment of €10 million from the Shared Island Fund has been made as part of the overall funding package for the project, once finalised. This work will be spear headed by the OPW (Office of Public Works) as part of an overall Conservation Management Plan for the site.”