- Boyne Valley site interpretation gets €350k
- Knowth to get €95k.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan announced €445k in funding from Fáilte Ireland’s Capital Grants Allocation for 2016 for interpretation plans for some of the key heritage attractions in the Boyne Valley (€350k) and development of the Stone Age site at Knowth, Co Meath (€95k).
The grant of €350,000 to the OPW will enable detailed interpretation plans for the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre and for the proposed visitor facilities at Knowth.
The funding for Knowth will assist necessary landscaping works. Fáilte Ireland hopes to work with the OPW to continue to develop the site. It is expected that further works will take place to enhance the visitor experience and help to attract larger volumes of visitors.
Patrick O’Donovan said: “The exhibition at Brú na Bóinne is almost 20 years old and is in need of redesign and upgrade. This funding will result in an exciting plan for a new visitor experience at the Brú na Bóinne visitor centre which will tell the story of the Boyne Valley in an engaging and stimulating way. The new Ireland’s Ancient East brand is starting to gain traction but it is very important that its exciting possibilities are matched by visitor experiences on the ground – hence, investment such as this is vitally important.”
Séan Canney, Minister of State at the OPW said: ”I am very pleased with this investment by Fáilte Ireland which will facilitate the development and enhancement of visitor experiences at some of the most important tourist attractions in County Meath which are managed by my Office. Newgrange and Knowth are world renowned heritage sites that attract significant numbers of tourists every year to the Boyne Valley and investment in these iconic sites will bear fruit long into the future.”
Fáilte Ireland’s Jenny de Saulles said: “Ireland’s Ancient East has great potential and is already being warmly received. However, it is vital that we continue to invest in the project to ensure that we open up its full potential. We have great stories to tell in the north east but we must also ensure that we have the top class tourism infrastructure, facilities and interpretation to match them. Today’s grants will help ensure that.”
