History
Foynes on the southern side of the Shannon
Estuary has a long maritime and tourist
tradition. This pretty town was the fulcrum
point for air traffic between the United States
and Europe during the 1930's and 1940's when sea
planes used it as refuelling stop. This is
commemorated in the village by the Foynes Flying
Boat Museum, which in addition to an insight
into the golden age of flying boats, also
includes a 1940's style cinema and an Aviation
Sculpture Park. It was also in Foynes that Irish
Coffee was first invented (and the story behind
this is best enjoyed whilst partaking of one in
Foynes!).
Foynes
on the southern side of the Shannon Estuary has
a long maritime and tourist tradition. This
pretty town was the fulcrum point for air
traffic between the United States and Europe
during the 1930's and 1940's when sea planes
used it as refuelling stop. This is commemorated
by the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which has
recently undergone a major expansion. The Museum
with the only full scale Boeing B314 Flying Boat
and Flight simulator gives an insight into the
golden age of flying boats, also includes a
1940's style cinema and an Aviation Sculpture
Park. It was also in Foynes that Irish Coffee
was first invented (and the story behind this is
best enjoyed whilst partaking of one in
Foynes!).
Port Facilities
The port of Foynes is a multi-modal facility under two hours from the mouth of the Estuary. Boasting fine deep-water berths with minimum depths alongside of 11.7 metres, it can comfortable accommodate vessels up to 194m in length. Coach access and parking facilities on the quay are available and gangplanks can be provided for passengers.
For further details, please
click here ; pilotage requirements are to be found
here.
Local Area
The village is within short walking distance of the berth and in addition to
the museum there are general shopping and eating facilities. Listowel, a
typical Irish market town, with a large variety of shopping and eating
experiences, is a short coach trip away.
Access
Foynes is situated on the main road between counties Kerry and Limerick and is
also a short distance from Tarbert, from where a ferry operates to Killimer on
the County Clare side of the Estuary; thus, access to the various attractions
featured on this site is easy and efficient
