Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the decision by Minister Heather Humphreys to allocate €25,000 to the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes to carry out work on the replica flying boat the “Yankee Clipper” in the museum.
“The Yankee Clipper is a full sized replica of the flying boats that flew into Foynes during the years of the Second World War. It is the focal point of the visitor experience in the Museum and has seen tens of thousands of people go through it since it was first opened. I organised a visit by Minister Humphreys to the museum earlier in the year and the Minister received a presentation on the museum. She was told of the massive growth in visitor numbers since the museum opened and she was shown the plans to carry out work to the replica flying boat which are badly needed. Since then I have been making representations to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for assistance for the museum and now the Minister has allocated €25000.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that he was delighted with the allocation. “This is a recognition of the importance of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum to tourism in the West Limerick area. The museum is now one of the premier visitor attractions on the Wild Atlantic Way and alongside the jobs that are in the museum, it attracts people to the area who will visit other shops and businesses in the area as part of their visit and make a welcome contribution to the local economy.”
Patrick O’Donovan concluded his remarks saying he would continue to press his colleagues in Government for further investments in amenities and facilities in Co. Limerick.