As planned Loughries trip to the Boyne Battlefield at Oldgrange, Drogheda, Co. Louth - took place on Saturday 24th March 2012.
The weather was perfect - with warm early spring sunshine accompanying us throughout the day.
After leaving Newtownards we arrived on schedule at 11am to the impressive new visitors centre, where we were met by our tour guide Mary. Sadly we were not permitted to take photograph's inside the visitors centre, however the 45 minutes or so we spent in the visitors centre was quite interesting.
Now, the tour does not go too in-depth into the battle, but it does give a reasonable explanation of the events in June / July 1690.
There is a beautiful walled garden to the rear of the visitors centre, where we had tea, coffee and scones - in glorious sunshine!
The Battlefield site is a vast open area with a lot of picnic areas and signed walks - which many local people appear to use for exercise etc. Our group spent a couple of hours walking around the battlefield on the south side of the river Boyne, we also 'crossed the Boyne river' to the north side where King William's army had attacked from.
Following the 2 1/2 hours at the visitors centre and battle-field site we made our way into Drogheda town for 1 1/2 hours leisure time - then we travelled home arriving back in Newtownards at 5.30pm.
Visitors Booklet
Sign at the entrance to Visitors Centre
The impressive gate entrance to visitors centre
The beautiful visitors centre building
A few of Loughries members
Inside visitors booklet - walking guide
North side of the Boyne river - where the Boyne Obelisk used to be - it was blown up by IRA terrorists.
Overview of the Boyne site inside booklet
The river Boyne midway across the old road bridge
In all, a great day out for members of Loughries - it is good to keep the group engaged with trips like this which has had a profound effect on Ulster History.
Next event on Loughries is the unfurling of our New Orange Banner in June....... keep looking in for details.
HMA
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