Flying boat museum receives funding boost

A flying boat museum is to get a one million euro boost to ensure Ireland’s brief stint at the centre of the aviation world is not forgotten, the Government announced today.

John O’Donoghue, tourism minister, said it was hoped the investment would preserve the memory of the “flying boats”, the first commercial planes in the 1930s.

“It is important that Ireland’s role in transatlantic aviation history is remembered and celebrated in an appropriate fashion,” he said.

Shannon Development said the investment in the Foynes Flying Boat Museum in Foynes, south west Ireland, would have a huge impact on turning the area into an international tourist magnet.

The port of Foynes was the main stop for air traffic between the United States and Europe between 1939 and 1945, before Shannon Airport took its place.

On July 9 1939, Pan Am’s luxury flying boat the Yankee Clipper landed at the little town on the Shannon. This was the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the US to Europe.

The brief colourful period of the flying boats saw hundreds of famous politicians, film stars, businessmen and soldiers pass through.

According to the museum, these included Eleanor Roosevelt, who arrived in Foynes under the alias Mrs Smith, Captain Charlie Blair, who married the actress Maureen O’Hara, and the famous aviator Colonel Charles Lindbergh, who flew from the port.

In 1989 Ms O’Hara, a patron of the museum, cut the ribbon to open its doors.

The museum highlights the era with various exhibits, including an authentic 1940s cinema. It also features the original terminal building and radio and weather room, including the transmitters, receivers and Morse code equipment.

Pat Daly, Shannon Development regional manager and a board member of the museum, said: “Shannon Development has always believed in the major potential of Foynes Flying Boat Museum as an international tourist magnet project.

“The €1m investment will have a huge impact for this unique project, and will result in significant benefits not only for Foynes, but for Co Limerick tourist industry, in terms of the museum directly and the indirect spin-off benefits which will inevitably result.”

Mr O’Donoghue said it was hoped it would become a major tourist attraction in the region, as he granted €150,000 today to cover the design and production of the museum’s Boeing B314 exhibition.

“The development will enable the Foynes Flying Boat Museum to increase its income generating capability into the future,” the TD said.