Foynes

Killorglin was a nice place to visit and the hospitality at Rivers Edge Guest House was great. However, it was time to move on.

Whilst in Limerick a few days ago, we came across information about the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. We couldn’t get there at the time but we thought it a good place to visit when next nearby. And so was the case.

There were 6 years of flying boat service in and out of Foynes, 1939-1945, and then it was over. The Boeing 314s were, I suppose, at the end of the evolutionary tree, and by 1946 land based planes had taken over.

The thought of flying from America to Ireland and having both sleeping quarters AND a 14-seat dining room, whilst in the air, must have seemed almost implausible at the time. Nevertheless, that was what was promised and provided. Naturally, it was limited to those with serious money, such as politicians, high ranking armed forces personnel, and film stars such as Maureen O’Hara.

From there we headed off to do a bit more of the Atlantic Way. We travelled on the ferry from Tarbert Port and then drove on the Atlantic Way as far as Spanish Point before we ran out of time and headed to our bed for the night, in the Rowan Tree Hostel in Ennis.

This is our first night in a youth hostel and first impressions were very good. We walked up to the local supermarket, bought some provisions and had a relaxing dinner. Robyn had a bad experience with Scrabble and gave up early on!Read more