Shannon Aviation Museum opens new wing

Clare Local Development Company has supported the opening of a new museum wing at Shannon Aviation Museum, marking an important step in the continued development of the visitor attraction, education centre and aviation heritage hub.

The new wing, dedicated to the memory of Eddie Ryan, was officially opened during a special event at the museum last Friday. The development was supported by Clare Local Development Company (through the LEADER programme) and Ei Electronics.

The occasion also saw the official unveiling of the Irish Air Corps Museum Collection at its new home in Shannon. The collection has been relocated and reassembled at Shannon Aviation Museum following a two-year project involving the museum, the Irish Air Corps and the Department of Defence.

CLDC CEO Doirin Graham as well as representatives of the Irish Air Corps, Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Department of Defence and the wider aviation community attended the event.

The museum paid tribute to Michael J. Whelan, curator of the Irish Air Corps collection, as well as Pat Cornally and Joe Bergin, who were involved in the reassembly of the collection. Secretary General Jaqui McCrum and Brigadier General Rory O’Connor were also acknowledged for supporting the move and placing confidence in Shannon Aviation Museum to provide a secure home for the national aviation collection.

The event also brought major news for the long-term future of the museum. Michael Guinee and his Charitable Foundation have funded the purchase of the building and land occupied by the museum, which had been rented for the past 18 years.

The purchase gives the Shannon Aviation Museum a secure base for the future and will support its ambition to remain a key part of Ireland’s aviation, education and tourism offering.

Education and heritage focus

Shannon Aviation Museum is operated by Irish Aviation Foundation CLG, a charitable organisation responsible for developing the museum and the Aviation Discovery Education Centre.

Over the past decade, the facility has delivered more than 90,000 hours of aviation education to over 25,000 young people, as well as their teachers and parents.

The museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore aircraft cockpits, jet engines, an aircraft carrier jet, model aircraft and a wide range of aviation artefacts and memorabilia. It also works with schools, families, groups and individual visitors through practical aviation and STEM-based learning programmes.

Through its work, the foundation aims to collect, catalogue, archive, restore and preserve Ireland’s aviation heritage for future generations, while encouraging children and young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Clare Local Development Company is pleased to have supported the new museum wing and the continued development of a facility that brings together heritage, education, tourism and opportunities for young people in Shannon and across County Clare.