Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

381. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide an update on progress on the Dowth National Park project; when he expects the park and associated facilities to be open to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40436/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The lands purchased at Dowth in December 2023 form the new National Park, Brú na Bóinne National Park. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in partnership with the National Monuments Service (NMS) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are working together to prepare a Masterplan for the entire property. This comprises a suite of important archaeological monuments, Dowth House, Netterville Manor and other heritage buildings, an important designed landscape and a range of habitats including mixed woodland, scrub, riparian wetland and grassland with an extensive complement of flora and fauna.

The NPWS is currently advancing preparations for opening the Brú na Bóinne National Park to the public. The Masterplan for the National Park involves background research/analysis, ongoing stakeholder engagement (including with the recently established Brú Na Bóinne Community World Heritage Forum for the World Heritage Property), development of options, selection of a preferred option and a final Masterplan Report.

Another key task is in relation to the preparation of the relevant environmental assessment reports, comprising a Strategic Environmental Assessment Report (ER), a Natura Impact Assessment (NIAS in respect of the designated European sites) and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). Both of these reports are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

A new Park Manager was appointed by the NPWS in last year to oversee the operations of Brú na Bóinne National Park as well as the development of the Masterplan. This Masterplan will seek to provide a conceptual overview and strategic thinking on how to develop the National Park, within the World Heritage Property. It will also will look to promote an understanding of the Park’s significance as one of Ireland’s foremost important cultural and natural heritage sites. The draft, once prepared will be issued for public consultation following stakeholder engagement throughout the remainder of 2025. One of the requirements is to ensure community involvement in the development of the Masterplan including community consultation throughout the process. The Masterplan will guide decision-making for the sensitive conservation, development and management of Brú na Bóinne National Park into the future

Whilst the general public currently does not have open access to the Park, the management staff of the new National Park have been interacting with a variety of groups and hosted numerous excursions and workshops within the National Park. These include but not limited to: Teagasc, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the Reimagined Boyne Valley Drive, Met Éireann, BASE Ireland, UCD, Atlantic Technical University, RTÉ radio, National Biodiversity Data Centre, Irish Rare Breeds Society, Solstice Arts Centre, Irish Ramsar Wetland Committee.

On 24 August 2025, the Park will host an arts/biodiversity event in collaboration with Solstice Arts Centre, Navan. The National Park team and its partners intend to maintain and develop new collaborations and are always open to requests for group visits and are looking forward to providing a public resource of this unique area centred on sensitive conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.