New visitor centre for Trim Castle is to go to tender by the end of the year

The new visitor centre for Trim Castle is to go to tender by the end of the year, according to update provided by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers to local TD, Aisling Dempsey.

Deputy Dempsey outlined that she has got confirmation from Minister Chambers that the tender for the new visitor centre for Trim Castle will issue this year and said that it was "could be the biggest thing that's happened to the castle since Braveheart was filmed" in the town.

"As a former chairperson of Boyne Valley Tourism, I have long fought for this centre to add to the town's global standing as a tourist destination.

"Trim was identified by National Geographic as one of the top 100 places to bring your child to change their life and this centre will further bring the town's amazing past to life for today's children. I am absolutely delighted that the plans include a sensory space which will be hugely beneficial to this area.

"I understand there are no plans to provide a cafe on site which will be a huge boost to our local businesses who I hope will benefit greatly from an increase in visitors to the new, state of the art visitor centre. This centre will help Trim and the North East rival the Wild Atlantic Way in terms of attracting tourists globally."

The ambitious plans will see the Market House building conserved, refurbished and extended to provide a state-of-the-art visitor centre.

Central to the plan is the removal of the old dance hall along with the fly tower to open up views of the castle from the street. A modern extension of 200 square metres with a roof terrace is also to be added to the rear of the building.

The area to the south of the Market House will be used for outdoor performance and interpretation. A covered walkway will connect the Market House to the base of the causeway ramp which will bring visitors up to the castle.

Planning permission is in place for the project since February of last year and a design team to progress the project was appointed late last year.

In his reply to a query for an update on the project by Deputy Dempsey, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers stated: “The Office of Public Works (OPW) is committed to enhancing the visitor experience at our national heritage sites, and Trim Castle, a National Monument in State care, is one of Ireland’s most significant medieval landmarks and a key priority in this regard.”

He outlined that thhe development of a new visitor experience centre at Trim Castle is part of a broader strategy to improve access, interpretation, and engagement at the site and that the proposed centre will provide state-of-the-art facilities for visitors, including interactive exhibits, educational resources, and enhanced accessibility features. It will also serve as a hub for cultural and community events, "further embedding Trim Castle as a focal point for heritage and tourism in the region".

"The OPW, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including Meath County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is working to ensure that the development aligns with the historical significance of Trim Castle while meeting the needs of modern visitors.

"The Part 8 Planning Order was granted on 8th February 2024 for the new visitor centre at Trim Market House, Trim. Trim Market House is situated within the Trim Castle National Monument, being built partly over the castle moat and backing directly on to its curtain walls.

A Design Team was appointed in late 2024 to undertake the detailed design for the project and produce the required tender documentation. Investigations and surveys are in progress to prepare the drawings and documents necessary and the OPW envisages issuing tenders before the end of 2025."