Tut Tut Tut...
No one seems to have mentioned Ireland, oh well I suppose its my job (yes a young man, without a PPL looks after an entire Island's aviation heritage on a voluntary level with three other senior people!)
Baldonnel Casement Aerodrome- Located on Irish Air Corps airfield. Contains Allou 3's, Avro Anson, Marchetti's, DH Vampires, A Beechcraft King cockpit, Wright Flyer replica, other such stuff.
- Not open to the public, please contact us at HASOI on [email protected] with a request, and your details and we will forward it on to our contact at the museum.
Foynes Flying Boat Museum- Located in County Limerick. Contains worlds only full scale B314 Clipper reconstruction, currently in a dry dock, no plans to see it fly, as well as probably the works most complete collection of flying boat memorablia.
- Contact via www.flyingboatmuseum.com - or contact us for further details if required. Open to the public.
Dromod Collection- Located in County Cavan/Leitrim, ironnically at a train station still in use along the mainline from Dublin to Sligo? - at the Dromod Station. Collection contains over 15 aircraft (whole) and other cockpits, etc, currently being restored. Be advised it is mostly outdoor and you will need to ask for Philip to give you the tour, so make sure you contact him before heading down.
- Contact via http://www.irish-railway.com/ or via HASOI for more details.
National Museum Of Ireland Collins Barracks- Located at the former Irish Military barracks in Dublin City Centre, easily accessed along the "Red" Luas line (Luas = "Speed" = Often crashing tram). Collection contains lots of British and Irish items, such as militaria, weaponry, etc as well as... a DH Vampire and a Miles Magister.
- Contact the museum directly at:
- Tel: +353 1 6777444
Tel LoCall: 1890 687 386
Tel LoCall: 1890 MUSEUM or www.museum.ie
All of the above are excellent collections, most are not as "astectically pleasing" as in most collections, Foynes and Collins Barracks are kept beautifully, but the collections have their own charm none the less.
A Proper Aviation Museum For Ireland?
Thats HASOI's assigned Goal within the aviation community, just as a little plug, if you feel like helping and live in Ireland, or have an interest in Ireland aviation, please do contact us today!
Regards,
Byron