Press release
OPW announces €5 million investment at Brú na Bóinne
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Office of Public Works along with its strategic partners, Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is set to invest €5 million at Brú na Bóinne. The works include major refurbishment of Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, the installation of a stunning state of the art exhibition at Knowth celebrating the megalithic art at the site and improved interpretation and visitor facilities at Newgrange National Monument.
The works at the Visitor Centre are programmed to commence in February 2019 and to be completed within six months. During the period of works, the Visitor Centre will be closed. However, access to the monument will still be provided through a temporary reception facility based in the Visitor Centre Carpark. Tours to Newgrange and Knowth (from 28 March) will operate as normal with as little disruption as possible.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran said:
"This is a significant investment by the State in one of the most important Heritage Sites in Ireland."
This investment will see improvement to a number of elements at the Visitor Centre, including updated interpretative displays, upgrading of mechanical and electrical facilities, upgraded café and improvement to universal access.
The Office of Public Works apologises for the inconvenience caused.
If you have any queries regarding this or for visitors with disabilities or special requirements please contact us at brunaboinne@opw.ie or +353 (0) 41 988 0300
All up to date information will be available on our website and Facebook page - see links below.
ENDS
For further information, please contact OPW Client Services and Communications Unit at opwcsc@opw.ie
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Brú na Bóinne Centre had almost 300,000 visitors in 2018 with approximately 150,000 going to Newgrange and 50,000 going to Knowth with the remainder visiting the Centre only.
Over 30,000 visitors apply annually for the chance to be present in the chamber at the Newgrange during the week of the Winter Solstice around 21 December.
The last major investment in the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne was in 1997 when the Visitor Centre was built. The Visitor Centre is the starting point for all visits to Newgrange and Knowth and a shuttle bus service runs to these monuments from the bus stop which is reached via a pedestrian bridge across the River Boyne.