Speculation that Paisley will miss Oldbridge ceremony

THE prospect that Northern Ireland's First Minister, Rev Ian Paisley, will miss the official opening of the new Battle of the Boyne Centre at Oldbridge was raised this week amid increasing speculation that he will no longer be in office when it is opened.

No date for the opening of the centre, based at Oldbridge House, has yet been finalised. However, an Office of Public Works spokesperson said this week that it could be "later in the summer" before the ribbon will be cut.

An official speculated that the opening could take place in May or June. This scenario would involve missing out on the symbolic10th anniversary this Easter of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Work on the centre has been gathering pace over the last few months and this week saw finishing touches to an elaborate entrance to the centre, which is alongside the Boyne and the adjacent canal. Overall work is expected to be completed next month or in April.

Speculation over the future in office of Dr Paisley has followed the resignation of his son, Ian Junior, as a minister with the Northern Executive. Although the leadership succession in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has gripped the party in the wake of the resignation, its officials say there will be no pressure on Dr Paisley to retire as leader of the party and First Minister.

The Northern First Minister visited the battle site and Oldbridge House on 11th May last year when he presented a James II dragoon officer's carbine, said to have been carried at the Battle of the Boyne and the Siege of Derry, to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Even with minimal facilities, the Boyne site had almost 25,000 visitors between May and September 2006 and up to 100,000 visitors are envisaged when the full range of facilities planned are provided.

These will include a visitor centre in Oldbridge House comprising exhibitions using maps, models and graphics to depict the historic battle, a display of full-scale replica of 17th century artillery and supporting military equipment in an outdoor setting, refurbishment of the adjoining stable block for audio visual facilities, toilets and further displays, restoration of the walled gardens and provision of a tea room pavilion, along with car/bus parking, access, signage and landscaping.