Preparation of a Masterplan for Brú na Bóinne National Park, Dowth, County Meath

Brú na Bóinne National Park comprises 223 Hectares (552 acres) of a variety of habitats (grassland, woodland, scrub, riparian wetland, tillage and a 3km stretch of the River Boyne). The property includes a significant eighteenth century country house (Dowth Hall) and a former late nineteenth century alms-house, Netterville Manor, set within an important designed demesne landscape laid out along the River Boyne in County Meath. It was acquired by the State in 2023 and is in the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Park is situated fifty-five kilometres from Dublin, and sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Brú na Bóinne, whose three principal megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth are also in the Minister’s ownership. Brú na Bóinne National Park is the largest single landholding within the World Heritage Property. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in partnership with the National Monuments Service (NMS) and the Office of Public Works (OPW), is seeking the services of an interdisciplinary design team to prepare a Masterplan for developing/creating this new National Park for the northeast region within the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Property. Specifically, the Masterplan is required to provide a conceptual overview and strategic thinking on how to develop the National Park and promote an understanding of the Park’s significance as a World Heritage Property and one of Ireland’s foremost important cultural and natural heritage sites. The Masterplan should adopt a holistic approach to developing an sustainable, exciting and innovative visitor experience and community resource, while recognising the NPWS’ key remit to protect nature and promote and enhance biodiversity and should include strategic options to link the new National Park with existing visitor attractions at Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth passage tomb, Oldbridge House, Mellifont Abbey and the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. It is intended that the Masterplan will guide decision-making for the sensitive conservation, development and management of Brú na Bóinne National Park into the future.