Green Flag award for Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre

The Battle of the Boyne Visitor's Centre has been awarded a 2021 International Green Flag by An Taisce.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has welcomed the news that 11 of its sites, including Oldbridge, were among a group of over 100 Irish public parks, gardens and voluntary run green community sites who received their 2021 Green Flags.

This year, An Taisce rolled out the Green Heritage Accreditation Award to green spaces of specific historic significance and the Oldbridge site was among the recipients.

Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works said

“I am delighted to see that the OPW has been awarded these flags which highlights the wonderfully diverse parks in our care.  Over the last 18 months, these beautiful green spaces have been a lifeline for the Irish public, as places to escape to and help with our wellbeing and mindfulness during this testing time.

“The OPW places great importance on the sustainable environmental management and conservation of the State’s Heritage sites, and the Green Flag Awards scheme is a wonderful way of recognising and celebrating these high standards.”

The Green Flag Awards recognise and encourage the provision of good quality parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways.  The awards are marked on eight criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.  This International Scheme is in place across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and has been running in Ireland since 2015.

The Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre and gardens stands on the site of the battleground itself.

The 18th century Oldbridge House contains original weapons and a laser model of the battlefield.