1860s – Aras Ide, Foynes, Co. Limerick

Now the home of Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, this the original terminal building in Foynes with a control tower to assist the landing of the flying boats in the harbour. On 9th July 1939, Pan Am’s luxury flying boat the ‘Yankee Clipper’ landed at Foynes to become the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from USA to Europe. The building was formerly the Monteagle Arms Hotel. The property was built in the 1860’s and was the first public bar and shop in Foynes. Prior to 1980 it was an Irish College, at which time it was renamed “Aras Ide”.