Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
Exhibition in Oldbridge House on the 1690 battle between William III and James II, with a walled garden and walks across the battlefield.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
On 1 July 1690 (Old Style) the armies of King William III and his father-in-law James II met on the River Boyne at Oldbridge. Some 36,000 men fought on the Williamite side and 25,000 on the Jacobite side, the largest number of soldiers ever to take the field in Ireland. The battle was part of a wider European struggle, and William's victory had lasting consequences for Ireland and for the balance of power in Europe.
The visitor centre stands on the battlefield itself, in Oldbridge House, an eighteenth-century country house that has been restored and is now run by the Office of Public Works. The exhibition displays original weapons from the period and a laser model of the battlefield that explains how the day unfolded.
Outside, a walled garden, parkland and walkways lead across the ground where the armies fought, with signs that follow the course of the battle. The grounds are free to enter, and a café on site serves visitors.
Highlights
- Original weapons and equipment from the 1690 campaign
- Laser model of the battlefield
- Restored eighteenth-century Oldbridge House
- Walled garden and self-guided battlefield walks
Permanent exhibition
- Battle of the Boyne exhibition – Original weapons and a laser model of the battlefield explain the 1690 battle between William III and James II.
- Operated by
- Office of Public Works (OPW)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Groups and seniors |
| Children & teens | €3Child or student price |
| Seniors | €4 |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Families | €13 |
The grounds, walled garden and battlefield walkways are free. The published rates for the exhibition are as shown, but the exhibition is currently free to enter on a self-guided basis for a limited period, according to Heritage Ireland.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Visitors who need special help or have limited mobility should phone the centre before their visit. The parkland has uneven ground, so suitable footwear is needed.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €13 |
Open parkland and walled garden suit a family walk; the educational resources and a social guide for first-time visitors can be downloaded from the Heritage Ireland page.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
A TFI Local Link bus runs between Athboy, Navan, Duleek, Donore and Drogheda eight times a day, seven days a week, and gives access to the Battle of the Boyne site and Brú na Bóinne.
By car
Parking available
Car park at the site; it closes at 19:00 in the summer season.
By car, leave the M1 at exit 9 or approach through Donore village. A section of the Oldbridge Road is closed to vehicles during the Boyne Boardwalk works and remains open to pedestrians.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café with a terrace overlooking the garden. Toilets, car park, coach parking and bicycle parking.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Allow about 45 minutes for the visitor centre and about one hour for the self-guided walks across the battlefield. Guided tours can be pre-booked. Dogs are welcome in the grounds on a lead, but not cycling, camping or barbecues. The canal and river are close by, so there is deep water to watch for. |