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.

The Irish Republic will spend 15 million Euro on a new centre at the County Meath landmark where the forces of the Protestant King William of Orange defeated those of the Catholic King James.

The DUP leader presented Mr Ahern with a 300-year-old musket rifle which was used in the battle, in return for the gift the Taoiseach presented him with at the St Andrew’s talks – a walnut bowl made from the wood of a tree from the site.

Mr Ahern said: “This is of course a special place for the protestant/unionist people of this island and the government was deeply conscious of this when we acquired the site back in 2000.

“Since then we have launched a development programme which will see the completion of new visitor facilities next year, which will secure over 500 acres of beautiful countryside for future generations to enjoy.”

He added, that the site went beyond “the significance for just one tradition alone.”

“Our history is complex and so was the battle fought on this ground. Catholics and Protestants fought on both sides.”

Mr Paisley, attended the ceremony with his wife. He said: “Instead of reverberating to the roar of the cannon fire, the charge of men, the shot of musket or the clash of sword steel today we have tranquillity of still water where we can contemplate the past and look forward to the future.”

Representatives of the Orange Order, and government ministers from the newly restored Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Republic also attended.

(JM/SP)