Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum will celebrate its 30th anniversary this weekend, and the museum rece ived a major boost this week when Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan announced €1.75 million in capital investment, which will pave the way for an extension to the popular tourist attraction. Commenting on the funding, the minister said: “The Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, along with the many other aspects of Foynes, including its shops and the port, have become a huge attraction to visitors travelling the Wild Atlantic Way. It has also become a necessary stop-off on the Shannon Estuary Way for day trippers and inter-national visitors alike.” The funding comes just one week after €128,000 was allocated towards Coastal and Flood Protection Works which will protect Foynes Yacht Club from erosion.
Celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of the popular Foynes attraction will be held next Sunday, 7th July, with a day of family fun, entertainment and fireworks.
The museum was officially opened by Maureen O’Hara-Blair on 8th July, 1989, and over the years has grown into a major attraction in the mid-west, with 60,000 people visiting every year, creating employment for 26 people. Celebrations will begin at 1.30pm with a recital by the Army Band No 1 Brigade in Museum Square, and, as well as family entertainment, there will be a fly-past at 3pm by members of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (weather permitting), while local band Escapade will entertain the crowd in Museum Square at 3.30pm. At 11pm there will be a spectacular fireworks display over the Shannon.