Written answers

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Commemorative Events

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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100. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the Government's plans to commemorate the Battle of Clontarf next year. [39147/13]

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is funding available for events commemorating the Battle of Clontarf and associated battles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44119/13]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 310 together.

A series of events is set to take place during 2014 to commemorate the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Ború. Already the impending occasion has engendered a considerable degree of enthusiasm among historical groups, community agencies and business interests with connections to the marking of this important point in Irish history.

Feedback from the wider community, voluntary and not-for-profit institutions, and organisations associated with the planned commemoration has indicated the need to provide co-ordination, technical support and access to existing State services and facilities. Hence I continue to encourage the co-ordination of the activities of Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland and agencies and bodies associated with my own Department, with a view to developing a commemorative programme that reflects the influence of the Vikings in Ireland and the Battle of Clontarf as a defining event in our history.

The site of the Battle of Clontarf is known to have been on the banks of the river Tolka in Dublin, closer to Glasnevin than to modern-day Clontarf. Glasnevin Trust has maps from circa 1800 that suggest that the 'bloody acre' – the historic centre of the battle – are within what is now its land. Cognisant of the potential of these events to be of wide tourist interest, I continue to encourage the co-ordination of organisations in Waterford, Killaloe and Ballina in emphasising their Viking Heritage and links to Brian Ború, as well as with Dublin City Council and groups from Clontarf, to maximise the potential benefit to these areas from increased tourism.

I envisage that the national cultural institutions will play an important role in any commemorative arrangements, especially the National Museum of Ireland. In that context, I understand that the National Museum intends to hold a major exhibition on Brian Ború and the Battle of Clontarf in 2014. It is expected that the exhibition will have an international focus with loans from institutions across Europe. The exhibition will not only present Ireland and Europe in the later Viking Age, but also examine the continuing significance of Brian Ború and Clontarf in Irish folklore and popular imagination right up to modern times.

In addition to possible initiatives by the national cultural institutions, my Department will be consulting with local authorities and other interested parties on their intentions with a view to the development of a co-ordinated programme. A number of issues are under consideration, including the development of a framework of events and the production of a branding pack or emblem. Decisions on these elements will fall to be made in the coming weeks, having regard to available resources.

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