Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the discussions that have taken place within his Department with respect to the future development and investment in Oldbridge House in Drogheda, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10440/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Oldbridge Estate was purchased by the State in 2000, due to its national significance as the site of the historic Battle of the Boyne. Following extensive renovation and development, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, located in Oldbridge House, opened to the public in summer 2008.

In 2022, a Conservation Management Plan of the Estate was commissioned by OPW, to include Oldbridge House, the surrounding lands and all of the ancillary buildings. This is now at an advanced stage. This plan will serve as a statement of significance, which will consider the Estate holistically, setting out conservation and development priorities to further enable the Estate to deliver on its core mission - the presentation and sensitive interpretation of the Battle of the Boyne. 

The future development of the site will be guided by the findings of the Conservation Management Plan, which are expected to include strategies for the restoration of the upper floors of Oldbridge House, and for the future use of the farmyard complex that overlooks the Battlefield.

Senior OPW officials are considering Oldbridge House's potential as a site of North-South community building and reconciliation, and are progressing this concept with their colleagues in the Shared Island Unit of the Department of An Taoiseach. 

In anticipation of the outputs of the Plan, the OPW is progressing a number of enabling works projects, all of which are scheduled to be completed in 2023.  These include the replacement of the existing structures in the ‘Oldbridge Village’ as well as the stabilisation of the Battle Oak.  Preliminary work will also be carried out on ancillary buildings to confirm their condition and outline any necessary renovation works to follow.

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. A biodiversity baseline study commissioned by the OPW is undergoing final edits at present and will provide valuable data on the habitats and species present on the Estate.

Visitors to Oldbridge House can also enjoy 225 acres of historic parklands, a canal side walk, the Walled Gardens, a tranquil Octagonal Garden which is believed to be unique in Ireland, and a varied events programme ranging from Battlefield Walks to biodiversity tours and living history displays. 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. The OPW looks forward to expanding the offer for visitors to the Estate even further in the coming years.