The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum is a unique and fascinating museum located in Foynes, Ireland, dedicated to the history of aviation, particularly the era of the flying boats that played a crucial role in transatlantic travel in the early to mid-20th century.

Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum

Foynes

Co. Limerick

Ireland

www.flyingboatmuseum.com

+353 69 65416

March 15 – November 15

• Daily 10:00 – 18:00

Admission fee

Gift shop

It is approximately 35km (22miles/30 minutes) from Limerick City along the scenic coastal N69 route from Limerick to Tralee

Aircraft collection

NC18603

Boeing 314 Clipper

The world’s only full scale replica of the Boeing 314, “Yankee Clipper”

Discover Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum at the original terminal building in Foynes, County Limerick. It recalls the nostalgic era of 1939 to 1945, when Foynes was the centre of the aviation world.

Overview

• The museum is housed in the original terminal building of the former Foynes Airbase, which was a major hub for transatlantic flights between Europe and North America from the 1930s to the 1950s.
• Foynes was a key stop for Pan American Airways (Pan Am) and other international airlines operating flying boats, which were large amphibious aircraft that could land and take off from both water and land.
• The museum offers an immersive experience, preserving the legacy of flying boats and the golden age of air travel, providing insights into aviation history, the aircraft used during this period, and the people who worked at the airbase.

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Key Features of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum

1. Flying Boat Exhibits:
   • The museum’s main attraction is its collection of exhibits related to flying boats, including models of the famous Pan Am Clipper and other aircraft that operated at Foynes.
   • One of the standout pieces is a full-scale replica of a Boeing 314 Clipper, the flying boat that revolutionized long-distance air travel in the 1930s.
2. Historical Exhibits:
   • The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum delves into the history of Foynes Airbase, detailing its role in pioneering transatlantic flight. Key moments include the first commercial transatlantic flight by a flying boat and the pioneering pilots and crew who contributed to the development of air travel.
   • Artifacts include aviation uniforms, instruments, and photographs documenting the history of the base and the role of flying boats in transatlantic flight.
3. World War II Connections:
   • The museum also highlights the role of flying boats during World War II, especially their use in maritime patrols and search-and-rescue operations along the Irish coast.
4. The Rosie the Riveter Display:
   • A particularly poignant exhibit at the museum is dedicated to Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of the women who worked in aviation during World War II, including those who helped build aircraft and support aviation operations at Foynes.
5. The Foynes Aviation Café:
   • The museum houses a replica of a 1940s-style aviation café, where visitors can sit and enjoy a coffee or Irish coffee—the drink was first invented in Foynes in the 1940s, making it a signature feature of the town’s aviation history.
6. Interactive Displays:
   • The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum has interactive displays, including a flight simulator that allows visitors to experience what it was like to fly a flying boat. There are also multimedia presentations and historical films about the golden age of aviation.