National Museum of Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, located at Collins Barracks in Dublin, includes a fascinating collection of artifacts from Ireland’s military and aviation history. While its primary focus is on decorative arts, design, and Irish military history, it also features notable exhibits related to aircraft and aviation.

National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History

Collins Barracks

Benburb Street

Dublin 7

Ireland

www.museum.ie

marketing@museum.ie

+353 1 6777444

Fax +353 1 6791025

Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 17:00

Sunday 14:00 – 17:00

Closed Mondays (Including Bank Holidays), Christmas Day and Good Friday

Free admission

Gift shop

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Dublin City ‘Hop on Hop Off’ Bus Tours, have a drop off and pick up stop at our three sites in Dublin.
Museum Link (172) operated by Dublin Bus has a drop off and pick up stop at the three Dublin sites.

Aircraft collection

de Havilland Vampire T.11 198 Irish Air Corps in National Museum of Ireland
198

34

de Havilland Vampire T.11

Miles Magister 1

Miles Magister 1 34 Irish Air Corps in National Museum of Ireland
de Havilland Vampire T.11 198 Irish Air Corps in National Museum of Ireland
Miles Magister 1 34 Irish Air Corps in National Museum of Ireland

Aircraft and Aviation Highlights

Although the aviation exhibits are relatively small compared to a dedicated aviation museum, they provide valuable insights into Ireland’s contributions to aviation history.

  1. Royal Air Force and Irish Air Corps Memorabilia:
    • Artifacts from the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Irish Air Corps include:
      • Pilot uniforms and flight suits from various periods.
      • Aviation medals and decorations awarded for service.
      • Navigational tools, maps, and other equipment used in early military aviation.
  2. Replica and Model Aircraft:
    • The museum features detailed scale models and replicas of key aircraft connected to Irish aviation history. These provide a visual representation of the aircraft used by the Irish Air Corps and during World War I and II.
  3. Link Trainer:
    • One of the most intriguing items in the collection is a Link Trainer, an early flight simulator used to train pilots. It demonstrates how pilots practiced instrument flying before the advent of more advanced training methods.
  4. Aircraft on dispay:
    • A highlight of the collection is Miles Magister 1, a light training aircraft used by the Irish Air Corps for many years. This plane is symbolic of the early training efforts of Irish pilots.
  5. History of Aviation in Ireland:
    • Displays recount the development of aviation in Ireland, from the first flights in the early 20th century to the role of the Irish Air Corps in national defense, reconnaissance, and humanitarian efforts.

Photos Ruud Boots