Launch of the Battle of Clontarf Heritage Trail

Another big day for Clontarf today with the official launch of the Clontarf part of the Brian Boru Heritage Trail on the Promenade. 

Just one board in place today but the other 5 to follow very soon.

This project has involved the work of the Clontarf 2014 committee, the Clontarf Historical Society and the Raheny Heritage Society. Well done to all and a very special mention to local resident, Collette Gill who led this project and put in a HUGE amount of voluntary hours to get this to fruition. (Pictured below are Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Richard Bruton, local public representatives and members of the Clontarf 2014 Committee)

Visiting history buffs, local residents and businesses will reap the benefits of this fine addition to the promenade for many years to come. 

There will be also be a digital version added to the loveclontarf.ie website in the coming weeks.

Official press release follows....

Looking at the peaceful and picturesque surroundings of Clontarf today, it is hard to imagine that a thousand years ago this area witnessed one of the bloodiest and most significant events in Irish history – the battle that took place here a thousand years ago in the spring of 1014. This was a true occurrence of epic proportions, since shrouded in myth and legend.

Clontarf Historical Society, Raheny Heritage Society and the Clontarf 2014 Committee with the support of Dublin City Council and the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and business sponsors have come together to build a Battle of Clontarf Heritage Trail on the Clontarf Promenade.  The Trail creates a focal point that up to now didn’t exist for the Battle of Clontarf.

The Battle of Clontarf Heritage Trail will form part of a National Brian Boru trail linking Killaloe, Cashel, Clontarf and Armagh. This trail tells the story of events leading up to the battle and the battle itself. There are six panels spaced along 3 km of scenic walkway from the Alfie Byrne Road to the Wooden Bridge. It is possible also just to walk halfway and to read the reverse of the panels when heading back. 

Speaking at the launch of the Battle of Clontarf Heritage trail, Naoise OMuirí representing Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn said that the Battle of Clontarf now had a fitting physical reminder in Clontarf adding that "These displays give wonderful account of the battle and also a guide to the local history of Clontarf. It will be of great interest to the many that walk our beautiful promenade but also will attract many new visitors to this wonderful amenity. It is a great achievement combining vision, local voluntary enthusiasm, public and private sector cooperation. In particular I would like to pay tribute to Dublin City Council North Central Area and Parks Division who worked closely with Collette Gill and her Clontarf 2014 committee from the start to ensure that this project would be of lasting benefit to the area and the city.”

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD said that “this trail was an important part of the national Brian Ború/ Battle of Clontarf commemorations linking KIllaloe, Cashel, Clontarf and Armagh. It is a significant lasting legacy marking this famous event which up to now had no permanent memorial. The trail is a tribute to the voluntary local effort backed by my department and Dublin City Council together with generous support from business interests.” 

Clontarf 2014 Commemoration Committee Chairperson, Collette Gill explained that “The Heritage Trail will form a key part of the 2014 celebrations and continue to be an attraction for Clontarf in the future, contributing to local business and tourism.  It will contribute to the amenity value of the area and encourage people to walk the promenade for health and recreation. I would like to acknowledge the great local support for this initiative especially our local major sponsors, the Clontarf Residents Association, MKN Property Group, Connolly’s The Sheds and Fitzpatrick Wholesale who provided sponsorship for all the displays.”

The Battle of Clontarf Heritage Trail was officially launched by Cllr Naoise OMuirí representing the Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn and Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minster for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on Thursday 27th March at 12 noon on Clontarf promenade opposite the Bram Stoker Hotel, Clontarf Road.

View full photo gallery of Brian Boru Heritage Trail launch here