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BATTLE OF THE BOYNE VISITOR CENTRE What is it? The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, in Oldbridge, Co Meath, sits at the focal…

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Sylvia Thompson
Sat Jun 2 2012 - 01:00

BATTLE OF THE BOYNE VISITOR CENTRE What is it?The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, in Oldbridge, Co Meath, sits at the focal point of the battle that took place in July 1690.

The Oldbridge estate was bought by the State in 1990, and the 18th-century manor house was adapted for use as a centre to display maps, models, cannons and muskets (both real and replicas) linked to the pivotal battle. It was officially opened by Bertie Ahern, on his final day as taoiseach, and Ian Paisley, as Northern Ireland first minister, in May 2008 – an event seen as a symbolic gesture towards historical reconciliation.

Why visit?The significance of the battle merits exploration. "Living history" demonstrations by Irish Arms on Sundays in June, July and August and bank-holiday Mondays in June and August should bring you back to a time when horses and cannons were used in battle. The 200-hectare estate also has seven kilometres of self-guided walks, including one along the southern banks of the Boyne and the Boyne canal.

Why now?On Monday from 11am to 5pm, the centre is hosting a book and map fair, as well as demonstrations and talks on local history. Booksellers will have rare volumes, first editions and signed copies with a focus on local history and archaeology. Ted Greene, author of Drogheda: Its Place in Irish History, will give a talk at 3pm, and Noel French, a Trim historian, will speak at 4pm. Irish Arms is due to give demonstrations of musket firing and cavalry manoeuvres throughout the day. Chapterhouse Theatre Company will perform historical drama in the walled garden throughout summer: Sleeping Beauty on June 30th; Pride and Prejudice on July 21st and Romeo and Juliet on August 4th. Each performance begins at 7pm, but you can arrive early and bring a picnic. Booking is on 041-9833946. There is also a Connemara pony show on July 7th.

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How do I get there?The visitor centre is in the Co Meath townland of Oldbridge, just across the county line from Drogheda, in Louth. By road, leave the M1 at Exit 9. Bus Éireann has a service to the site leaving Drogheda at 11.15am and 2.45pm, Monday to Saturday, plus on Sundays in July and August.

The visitor centre is open 10am-6pm May-September; 9am-5pm October-February and 9.30am-5.30pm in March and April. Admission costs €4 (adults), €3 (senior citizens) or €2 (children and students).

See battleoftheboyne.ie; 041-9809950.