ABC Council is working on plans for the redevelopment of the Navan Centre, on the outskirts of Armagh.
But the local authority is keeping its cards close to its chest in relation to what it sees happening.
Navan Fort is currently working towards UNESCO world heritage status.
As part of a ‘Royal Sites of Ulster’ bid, it is now on a ’Tentative List’ as a group of six unique collectives of largely prehistoric monuments and sites associated in early medieval and medieval texts as the “principal ancient sites of royal inauguration in Ireland”.
Spread throughout the island, four of the sites represent the ancient Kingdoms of Ireland and its current provinces of North (Navan Fort), South (Rock of Cashel), East (Dún Ailline) and West (Rathcroghan).
It had been expected that the council would wish to invest in the facility to try and bolster facilities if world heritage status is granted, given that it would put it in a new sphere in terms of global tourism potential.
There has been no public discussion on the matter during the course of local committee meetings.
The only indication that something is in the pipeline – albeit early days – is a reference contained in the council’s draft business plan for its tourism, arts and culture department.
It makes mention of a “Navan Centre redevelopment plan” having been “agreed”.
The draft plan covers the current financial year, up until the end of March 2027.
The target set by that time is that “technical studies” would be “developed and complete and approved through committee”.
Keen to find out what any redevelopment might entail, how much it would cost and an anticipated timeframe to deliver, Armagh I contacted the council for clarification.
But it has not been forthcoming with any information.
A spokesperson has advised that it is “too early to provide information about potential plans” which are currently described as being “only at concept stage”.
In December 2024, there had been confirmation that a bid for £5m of ‘Levelling Up’ funding had been unsuccessful for an “overhaul of the offering” at the Navan Centre site.
It is understood that other bids for funding were being considered after that setback.
Further details on future plans should now emerge in due course as it is progressed.
The Navan Centre was built in the 1990s and run by a ‘Navan at Armagh’ management board. The former Armagh City and District Council later took over full control.
There have been several additions over the intervening years, including the provision of the Viking Village.
Now, looking to the future, it seems certain the centre will evolve further in terms of development.
But when the council feels it is appropriate to release information into the public domain about what it has in mind remains to be seen.
