COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor E. Higgins

"To ask the Chief Executive for details of correspondance between South Dublin County Council and the Department of Defence in relation to proposals for an aviation museum at / near Casement Aerodrome?"

REPLY:

The Council's Heritage Officer has worked with the Irish Aer Corps for a number of years to promote and further develop the Aer Corps heritage museum as a national aviation destination located in South Dublin County (Action 2.3.iii of the County Heritage Plan) and LEADER funding was achieved to further this objective.  A new site at Casement, in the ownership of the Department of Defence, was identified as a location for a new 'Aviation Experience'. With its own road frontage and space for the construction of a new specially designed hanger, this location was proposed for development as a family-friendly aviation destination, designed to appeal to a wide range of aviation-related interests and activities.     

Separately, the privately funded Irish Historic Flight Foundation was formally launched in June 2015, with the objective of funding the restoration and return of aircraft of heritage interest to active flight.  The development of this Foundation has been driven by the Irish Aviation Authority with support from the Irish and international aviation industry.  

Casement Aerodrome has been identified as one potential home for this Foundation, linking in with the Aer Corps own Aviation Heritage Museum that already exists and assisting in providing the funding to develop the overall 'Aviation Experience' originally envisioned for South Dublin County. 

With the inauguration of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation in 2015, discussions have been confined between the Department of Defence and the Irish Historic Flight Foundation regarding the possibility of hosting the Foundation at Casement.  Progress on these discussions has been slow. 

A union of the Foundation and the Irish Aer Corps museum which presents the extensive story of how Irish aviation originated, developed, and expanded out from Baldonnel, would present a unique and nationally important aviation experience which would draw significant benefits to South Dublin County.  Alternative locations around Ireland e.g. Galway, Dublin Airport, Cork, Shannon, are also viewed by the Foundation as potential locations for the home of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation.