Limerick museum recognised for meeting the highest standards in museum care

THE Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum has been formally recognised alongside 10 other museums across the country through the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI). 

MSPI is an accreditation programme that supports museums and cultural heritage collections across Ireland to achieve and maintain the highest standards in how they are managed, how they care for their collections, and how they engage with the public.

It supports both large and small institutions – from volunteer-run local museums to national cultural institutions – to build strong foundations in governance, collection care, exhibitions, education and visitor services.

At a special awards ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, the Foynes Museum maintained its Full Accreditation – the highest level of recognition available through the programme. This achievement reflects the success of the site in preserving the golden age of transatlantic aviation from the 1930s to the 1940s.

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Housed in the original terminal building, it was once Ireland’s major transatlantic flying boat hub. The museum boasts the world’s only full-scale Boeing 314 “Yankee Clipper” replica, allowing visitors to explore its cabin and cockpit. 

Interactive features include a flight simulator, restored radio and weather rooms, and a 100-seater luxury cinema presenting our award-winning historical short film.

The museum also celebrates Maureen O’Hara and her husband, pilot Charles Blair, with exhibits showcasing memorabilia including O’Hara’s honorary Academy Award. 

Moreover, the museum traces Foynes’ history as a Shannon Estuary port, featuring paddle steamer cabins and a restored control tower offering panoramic views of the Shannon Estuary. 

Located on both the Shannon Estuary Way and Wild Atlantic Way, the museum is Limerick’s only designated viewpoint on the Wild Atlantic Way.

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Since it began in 2006 with just a handful of participants, MSPI has grown into a nationwide programme supporting nearly 70 museum sites. Museums work over a number of years to meet 32 professional standards and are assessed through a rigorous, independent process.

This year, 11 museums are being recognised for achieving accreditation through the MSPI programme. Their hard work and dedication highlight the importance of protecting and sharing Ireland’s rich heritage. Each museum has undergone a detailed assessment to show how they meet the required standards and how they serve their communities, visitors, and collections.

Launching the ceremony in Kilkenny Castle, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said: “The diligent care and attention demonstrated by the 11 accredited museums to protect our heritage, and the interpretation they have curated to enable our heritage to be better and more easily understood, is commendable. The achievements of these museums prove that we can hold our heads high with the best in the world, confident that we are professional, thorough, knowledgeable and ambitious for our cultural heritage institutions.”

Addressing the accredited museums Chair of the Heritage Council, Martina Moloney, said: “Museums and cultural heritage collections play a profound role in our national conversation. Cultural heritage collections and the audiences they serve are a fundamental focus of MSPI and professional standards are a vehicle through which we can insure these values. The work done by our accredited museums is invaluable in upholding these standards.”

CEO of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, added: “I would like to commend all the accredited museums in 2025 for the focus they demonstrate, day in and day out, on engaging communities with societal issues, both contemporary and historical, via their collections and organisations. We appreciate the work that these museums do and the profound capacity for impact that our museums and cultural heritage organisations represent.”