Shannon Aviation Museum

07/09/2026

It’s Sunday evening, which means it’s time once again to give you a preview of the stories coming your way this week.

On Tuesday (8/9/2026) we bring you our report from Shannon Aviation Museum in County Clare. Seven historic aircraft, decades of Irish aviation history and one remarkable new home are waiting to be discovered. Following the opening of the Eddie Ryan Memorial Hangar on 21 August, we take a closer look at the Air Corps Heritage Collection. From early trainers to much-loved jets and helicopters, we explore the Aérospatiale Alouette III, Cessna Reims Rocket, de Havilland Vampire, Fouga Magister, Percival Provost and de Havilland Chipmunk. Discover their stories with us, then plan your own visit to Shannon Aviation Museum – you won’t be disappointed.

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On Friday (11/9/2026) we are asking for your help with one of Ireland’s rarest home-grown vehicles, the ATW Chico 4x4, better known as the “Buncrana Beetle.” One of our followers in Germany is restoring a Chico and needs our help tracking down surviving paperwork. So, have a look through your sheds, cupboards and old files — you might just have a piece of Chico history tucked away.

04/09/2026

Join us in wishing our Briain Walsh a fantastic adventure heading off for his Erasmus in Salamanca!

We are all going to really miss Briain here, the behind the scenes guy who makes a huge contribution to the success of how SAM functions and grows. Dedicated and loyal to the cause, luckily for us, so he will still be hard at work while hes away!

Stocked up with some of his favourite McVitties, hugs and love from the team here, off he goes for a wonderful life experience. We are thrilled for him!

04/09/2026

AerCap TY Academy 2026/2027 is now open for applications!

AerCap Aviation Academy is designed to attract teenagers who have a keen interest in an aviation career and gives them a real insight into the range of careers available.

The week's highlights include; a behind the scenes tour of an aircraft engine repair facility, a maintenance training centre and a tour of a live aircraft maintenance hangar - it’s a real eye opener for future engineers! Plus, everyone gets a chance to fly the B737NG flight simulator!

If you think you or someone you know might be interested please follow the link below to find out how to apply.

https://shannonaviationmuseum.com/aercap-ty-aviation-academy/

This course is kindly sponsored by AerCap Holdings NV.

31/08/2026

New Course for 2026: Airline Pilot of the Future

'Airline Pilot of the Future' is a fantastic, exclusive experience for young people who want to become a commercial pilot. This day course is ideal for young people 13 -18 years old.

This highly unique course is conducted by a current airline pilot and combines a presentation on the Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot with Q&A session, followed by a classroom theory session on the afternoon’s flight simulator exercises in a full-scale B737-800NG flight simulator, built from an original cockpit.

Each Future Pilot will have the opportunity to test their natural flying abilities in the B737-800NG sim – flying a series take off and landing manoeuvres under the guidance of their airline pilot instructor. This is an unforgettable opportunity that will give the student a sneak preview of their future selves!

This is a unique course and great opportunity to get an invaluable insight into the day of an Airline Pilot, discuss commercial flight training options, flight training schools in Ireland and abroad.

The course will have a small group size of maximum 5. The small group size ensures that each attendee gets a chance to really engage with the airline pilot and get any questions they have answered.

We also give parents the opportunity to join in at the end of the day for a Q&A session.

Find out more and book via https://shannonaviationmuseum.com/airline-pilot-of-the-future/

Visit Shannon Aviation Museum for a fun, educational day out for all age groups! Learn the basics of flight simulation and so much more!

29/08/2026

We were really thrilled to meet Nancy Gallagher today, along with all her lovely family, to exhibit Joe Gallagher's collection of aviation actually 14,000 aircraft postcards. All the family, including Joe's brother, travelled from across the country to gather today to remember him and his lifetime of collecting!

Nancy said, " It's a great occasion for our family, in our wildest dreams, we never expected it. We have always wondered what to do with his wonderful collection. Joe was passionate about aircraft, and we hope they will bring a lot of pleasure to many people. We appreciate the outcome, Joe would be so thrilled that his collection would be displayed for like-minded people. Thank you to Sarah, Jane and all at the Shannon Aviation Museum. And thank you to Minister Patrick O'Donovan Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for their part in it''

Joe Gallagher's Aviation Postcard Exhibition was co-funded as part of the After Hours at the Museum Scheme. We hope everyone who saw the exhibition today enjoyed it!

28/08/2026

We had a great day welcoming the very first visitors to our newly opened wing Saturday 22nd for Heritage Week 2026.

Thanks to everyone who came along for the day, lots of photographers were thrilled to feast their lenses on the newly opened Irish Air Corps Museum Collection and we were delighted to welcome families from all over the country.

Thanks to Greg and the lads for some great tunes, we have great acoustics! And to the Party On Face Painting Limerick Team for the great aviation art and plenty of fun!

Thanks to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Clare County Council for supporting this open day, which gave over 150 people the chance to see our aviation heritage.

28/08/2026

We are delighted to exhibit Joe Gallaghers Collection of over 11,000 postcards at SAM this Sat 29th August.

Joe had a lifelong passion for aviation. He joined Aer Lingus in 1966, working in reservations, staff development, Ops Engineering, Cara and IT until he retired in 2002. He then volunteered with the Railway Preservation Society and Follow Me Aircraft Marshallers at Flyins around Ireland until his passing in 2013.

His family were delighted to donate his huge collection of postcards and other aviation memorabilia to the museum for exhibition.

This exhibition is supported with co-funding thanks to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport After Hours at the Museum Scheme.

Visitors are free of charge, but the Museum would appreciate a donation! 1.30 pm - 9 pm. Last entry is at 8.00 pm.

Book your ticket here https://shannonaviationmuseum.com/upcoming-events/

27/08/2026

We are delighted to host Women in Aviation International - Ireland Chapter for this annual event on Sat 19th September!

Mums and dads if you have a young lady from 11- 18 who is interested should act quickly to book one of the last places left and be available to accompany them.

Women in Aviation International Ireland Chapter 137 members are looking forward to the official 12th annual Girls in Aviation Day on Sat 19th September, when women in aviation careers gather to meet 50 lucky young ladies aged 11 to 18 who want to learn more.

Thank you to Stellaer 212, ASG and Avolon for supporting this event and to Shannon Aviation Museum for hosting us

We have just a few spaces left. If you have a plane crazy lady in the house, register using the link below or scan the QR Code. NB One parent is required to accompany.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeVNvrlCY7aprKIr4TJfwcCZAfqcrjKGci54bJhNoYR058CA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&pli=1

24/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who shared our special day at SAM last Friday with our triple celebration, in the wonderful company of all our friends and supporters from the Irish Air Corps Óglaigh na hÉireann / Irish Defence Forces, Department of Defence, and all corners of our wonderful Irish aviation community

We honoured Eddie Ryan with the opening of the new Museum Wing supported by Clare Local Development Company and Ei Electronics dedicated to his memory; he even got a minute's silence with a huge downpour that silenced the room during speeches!

We finally unveiled the Irish Air Corps Museum Collection after a strenuous 2-year project to settle it in its new home here at SAM, with a special tribute to Michael J. Whelan - Author and Irish Air Corps Curator of the collection and to Pat Cornally and Joe Bergin for reassembly of the collection this year. Thanks to Secretary General Jaqui Mc Crum and Brigadier General Rory O’Connor for their confidence in our ability to provide a secure home for our nation's aviation collection.

And we announced our big news: Michael Guinee and his Charitable Foundation have written a life-changing check to fund the purchase of the building and land we have rented for the last 18 years!! This underpins the future of SAM as a pillar of the aviation ecosystem in Ireland or the future.

We really enjoyed meeting you all, and thank you for the compliments, well wishes, and hugs! We are stocked up and ready for the next level, and appreciate each message!

Great photos thanks to Col John Doyle Irish Air Corps 105 Sqn and Don Moloney.