Aviation Museum

Travel back to the 1930s and ’40s, when Foynes played a pivotal role in establishing commercial transatlantic passenger flights. Learn the history of Flying Boats and the diverse range of people who arrived and departed from Foynes through our comprehensive collection of historical and interactive exhibits and memorabilia. We’ve brought these stories to life for our visitors since 1989, right here in the original Foynes Airport Terminal Building.

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Vintage aeroplane cockpit with brown seats and control instruments at Foynes Museum.

The Main Exhibitions at the Foynes Aviation Museum

Large silver seaplane by buildings at the Flying Boat Museum Foynes.

B314 Replica

Board the only B314 flying boat replica in the world. All the commercial flying boats landing in Foynes featured upscale amenities, but the B314 had true ocean liner luxury. ...Learn More

Pioneers-of-transatlantic-flight model soars by Flying Boat Museum Foynes under cloudy skies.

First Flights

Meet pioneers of aviation, like John Alcock, Arthur Brown, and Charles Lindbergh, and get acquainted with early experiments in transatlantic flight. We also display Captain C...Learn More

Vintage Air France and Imperial Airways posters.

Airlines

This exhibit includes many gems of the museum’s aviation collection, showcasing how Foynes was at one time the epicentre of commercial aviation. Pan American Airways, B...Learn More

Vintage radio gear and typewriter at the Flying Boat Museum, Foynes.

Radio And Weather Room

Two of the main services operating in the original terminal were radio and meteorological operations. This room contains original radio equipment used during the flying boat ...Learn More

Soldiers throw grenades as aeroplanes soar, just like in The-World-War-II-Years-at-Foynes.

The War Years

Most flying boat activity took place during the World War II. This section presents touch screen and text panel accounts of life in Foynes at the time and Ireland’s role in t...Learn More

User operating the flight simulator at Flying Boat Museum Foynes with cockpit controls.

Flight Simulators

Challenge yourself to fly the B314 in our realistic flight simulators. They provide an illuminating experience of what it was like to pilot a flying boat. Safe flight!

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Beige church with roof cross, close to top museums in Foynes and Flying Boat Museum.

Control Tower

Enjoy panoramic views of the village of Foynes and the Shannon Estuary from our reinstated control tower. The control tower was restored in 2011, having been operational duri...Learn More

Three people in formal attire by a stone building.

Celebrities Who Visited Foynes

There is a strong hint in the journalist’s report in the Daily Telegraph, 5th July 1944 that Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, travelled through Foynes by flying boa...Learn More

Testimonials

What Our Visitors Say

Loved it. Great family day out.

We loved the viewing platform and enjoyed all the history of the place. A big new extension being built so will come back when that open.

James R

It’s a full day visit with lots to see. Lovely staff, superb history and the only Boeing 314 Clipper replica in the world! If you have any interest in the history of the flying boats from Pan American Airways and BOAC, you should make the visit… you won’t regret it!

pjk1649a

A lovely & warm welcome, this is an incredibly worthwhile visit. The museum is well & logically laid out with something to suit all ages. I read a book set on a flying boat years ago & couldn’t figure out it could be so until today – it’s huge & very interesting.

Christina F

Fascinating history lesson and the replica flying boat is extraordinary. Well worh a detour to see this museum and lean the story of the flying boats.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHT

Featured Experiences

Mannequins load sacks with a pulley at Foynes port museum exhibit.

Maritime Museum

The River Shannon—Abhainn na Sionainne in Gaelic—is Ireland’s longe...

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Woman in cap and shawl with autumn leaves by Flying Boat Museum Foynes.

Maureen O’Hara Exhibition

Thanks to the generosity of Maureen O’Hara’s grandson Conor Beau Fi...

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Cream being poured onto Irish coffee at the Flying Boat Museum Foynes.

Irish Coffee Centre

Foynes and flying boats are closely connected to Irish coffee, play...

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