Foynes - Foynes Flying Boat Museum

7mi/11km beyond the Franciscan abbey, near Limerick, on the east side of the River Deel, we come to Foynes, a small port picturesquely situated on the estuary of the Shannon. From the second half of the 1930s until the end of the Second World War this tiny isolated place was the terminal of the entire passenger air service to and from North America. The GPA Foynes Flying Boat Museum (opening hours given) documents this fact.

On view are the first terminal building, the signal and weather station and photographs showing the first flying boats used on the Atlantic crossing.

From Knockpatrick Hill (565ft/172m), south of the town, there are extensive views over the Shannon Estuary. On the summit of the hill are a ruined church and a holy well.