By Brian Hanratty
Following on from the media coverage of a proposed new Bank Holiday on July 12th, I would like to propose an idea that is both more practical and should attract widespread support from all sides of this island.
The feasibility of developing an All-Ireland Museum of Military History on the site of the Battle of the Boyne (which covers over 500 acres owned by the State), as well as enhancing the existing Interpretative Centre, needs to be considered at a time when Government is experiencing an unprecedented level of Budget surplus.
There is huge potential to expand on both the story of the largest and most famous battle fought on Irish soil – The Battle of the Boyne – as well as presenting Ireland’s military history and legends throughout the ages.
Expanding the facility at Oldbridge to become an All-Ireland Museum of Military History, would address the fact that there is no proper venue at which to appreciate both the chronological and geographical significance of the Irish contribution to military history across the world as well as the many facets of military activity on this island.
For example, the Boyne site is the perfect location to “crystallise” through displays the many milestones recently commemorated in the “Decade of Centenaries” – including the Ulster Covenant in 1912; the 1916 Rising; the War of Independence; the foundation of the National Army in 1922; the Civil War and the establishment of Northern Ireland.
It’s not good enough to commemorate these on their centenary, we need a permanent reminder of them. We also need to start reflecting on the difficult history of the island and all parties and groups with an interest need to be consulted. This expansive site; its pivotal location and context also lends itself to hosting a Global Peace and Reconciliation Centre.
Those are just examples from the last 100 years of Irish History. Too often we tend to think only about battles and campaigns fought on Irish soil and forget about the role the Irish played elsewhere, in two World Wars and in the British army and navy and others across Europe and the Americas over the centuries.
There are the inventors too, like John Philip Holland who invented the first viable submarine. Way back, there’s Brian Boru and further back, the legends of Finn MacCumhaill and the Fianna.
There are many possibilities to consider within such an extensive site that’s easily accessed from across Ireland, being only thirty minutes from Dublin and ninety from Belfast.
In the UK, the National Memorial Arboretum in the Midlands extends to 150 acres and is a year-round national site of remembrance which honours the fallen, recognises service and sacrifice, and fosters pride in their armed forces. Such a space would comfortably fit into just a part of the Oldbridge site!
Having commemorated the centenary of the foundation of the National Army in 2022, it is regrettable that the history and important memorabilia associated with the Defence Forces are scattered across the Republic in various military installations and other locations, including Collins Barracks.
For example, the Irish Air Corps has a collection of vintage military aircraft housed at their Baldonnel airbase; the Army has the historic “Sliabh na mBan” armoured car in which Michael Collins travelled on the day he was shot at a museum in the Curragh Army base.
It makes sense that all these historical items are brought together in a suitable location for people to appreciate. In my opinion, Oldbridge is that location, and from an all-island perspective I believe that groups and organisations in Northern Ireland want their stories of heroism told too for all to see – and be part of the exhibits there.
With nearby historic locations like Drogheda, Trim, and Tara having their own unique military history; the adjacent privately owned Irish Military War Museum in Collon and Francis Ledwidge’s home at Slane, the Boyne Valley is a natural centre for Military History and the potential to attract tourists interested in Battlefield Tourism.
I would urge the relevant authorities including Tourism Ireland; OPW; the National Museum and the Ulster Museum as well as key historians and other academics to engage with cultural and other groups in the Republic and Northern Ireland who have an affinity with the Battle of the Boyne and Ireland’s wider military history and legends to explore ways that this wonderful location could help broaden an understanding for those at home; the diaspora and others overseas who have a link to, or interest in Ireland’s military history going right back through the centuries and millennia.
We need to honour the illustrious military history of this small island and those professional Irish soldiers who bravely fought across the globe as well as reflecting on the island’s more troubled recent history.
