Written answers

Thursday, 23 September 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Heritage Projects

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed conservation management plan for the historic Oldbridge House and estate which is operated by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45494/21]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Oldbridge Estate is situated on 500 acres in Co. Meath taking in much of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, for current and future generations. The site is of deep historical and political significance to many communities on the island of Ireland and a significant population of visitors from communities in Northern Ireland visit the site each year. Oldbridge House provides an interpretative centre, which welcomes over 30,000 annual visitors to the exhibition featuring authentic 17th century armaments and accompanying audio-visual presentations.

In addition to the interpretive centre, the extensive gardens have been restored and feature an unusual sunken octagonal garden, a peach house, an orchard and herbaceous borders, while a tearoom pavilion has also been added.

The parklands attract 400,000 visitors per year, far in excess of the 100,000 projected when the site was originally refurbished and opened to the public in 2008. Many visitors to the site are attracted to the canal-side and river walks, the extensive parklands, and the Walled Gardens - which are free of charge to access.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a further 20,000 came to the site to attend events run by OPW such as “living history” military re-enactments, performances by local arts groups, Harvest, Halloween and Christmas Festivals featuring local small food producers and enterprises from the Boyne region.

The OPW now intends to develop an updated Conservation Management Plan which responds to the demand and current usage of the site and in order to plan for how we can best develop and manage the estate in the future. Key issues for consideration include the existing parking provision and the associated challenges that come with over 400,000 visitors annually, as well as the conservation and potential use of the historically significant farmyard buildings and the refurbishment of the upper floors of the house.

The Conservation Management Plan will seek to strike a balance between meeting the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of visitors and sustainable tourism. It will set out how future development at Oldbridge Estate will ensure the conservation and protection of this unique historic site as well as supporting the site to continue to contribute to the tourism and economic agenda for Meath and south Louth. Oldbridge is also an important site for biodiversity with a variety of habitats including grasslands, waterways and woodlands and the plan will ensure it continues to support the Government’s objectives in respect of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

I can confirm that officials are engaged in a procurement process to contract consultants to develop this plan and that consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks.

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