Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will support the Clontarf 2014 group in their efforts to develop sports, arts and tourism and for the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf. [49686/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will support the Clontarf 2014 committee in their plans to celebrate events around the Battle of Clontarf in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49760/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos 132 and 133 together.

A number of events are set to take place during 2014 to commemorate the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Ború. In this regard, I am aware of plans being developed by Dublin City Council, Clare County Council, Fingal County Council, Armagh City and District Council, Waterford City Council and certain 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 for co-ordination, technical support and access to existing State services and facilities.

I would encourage the bringing together of the activities of Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland and other interested agencies and bodies, so as to achieve 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 national cultural institutions will play an important role in the commemorative arrangements. The National Museum of Ireland will hold a special exhibition on Brian Ború and the Battle of Clontarf in 2014. The programme 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.

I will be meeting with representatives of the Clontarf 2014 Committee in the coming days to discuss the issues involved in this venture.