26/04/2007

Taoiseach and DUP leader to visit Boyne

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley have agreed to visit the site of the Battle of the Boyne together next month.

The pair will visit the site on May 11, three days after the return of devolved Government at Stormont.

The battlefield in County Meath marks the spot where the Protestant King William of Orange defeated the army of Catholic King James in 1690.

The taoiseach, who invited Mr Paisley to the site earlier this month, said: “I am delighted that Dr Paisley has accepted my invitation to visit the site of Battle of the Boyne.

“I look forward to welcoming him and reviewing with him the work that we are planning for this important place in our shared history.”

He continued: “I believe that this site can become a valuable and welcome expression of the new relationship that we are building on this island, a relationship that is respectful of its past and all its traditions.”

Mr Paisley has already said he will present a 300-year-old musket rifle which was used in the battle to the site’s visitor centre.

(JM/KMcA)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 May 2007
Paisley and Ahern visit Boyne site
Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have visited the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne today. Both men viewed an exhibition on the battle at Oldbridge House, which is part of the restoration project by the Irish government. It is expected the work will be completed next year.
24 May 2016
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness To Visit Battle Of The Somme Site
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has confirmed he will visit Battle of the Somme site next week. He also said he would take up the invitation from the Flemish government to visit the Flanders Field. Mr McGuinness said: "World War One is an important part of Ireland’s multi-layered history during which tens of thousands Irish people lost their lives.
22 May 2019
Royals Visit Damaged Primark Site
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to the fire-ravaged Bank Buildings in Belfast City Centre today, 22 May, as part of their three-day royal tour of Ireland. The pair took in the sight of the historic structure which formally housed Primark before a blaze gutted the building in August 2018.
22 August 2008
Helicopter Joins Landfill Search For Missing Man
The search for a landfill site supervisor - missing overnight - has stepped up a notch with helicopters joining in the search which was resumed this morning after police were forced to call off their hunt at Mallusk late last night.
29 June 2005
Leading architects visit Giant's Causeway site
Architects from across the world have arrived in North Antrim today to get ideas on how best to design the new visitor facilities at the Giant’s Causeway.