Arklow Heritage Museum
The Arklow Heritage Museum displays information on the maritime history of Arklow, with it’s boat building, lifeboat and fishing traditions.
Arklow has a very fine fishing and maritime tradition. Early this century it had eighty in the present day by Arklow Shipping, which has the largest Irish-flagged fleet. The museum also recalls the great hardships of World War II (the “emergency” in Ireland). A mine from this period stands at the entrance to the museum, Arklow was the first place in Ireland to have a lifeboat station, in 1826, and that proud tradition is also recalled.
This delightful miscellany of material includes everything from old navigational instruments to a uniform worn by a merchant navy officer and a shoe worn by a woman passenger on the ill-fated Lusitania.
Also on display in the Arklow Heritage Museum are photographs of the port dating back to the mid 19th century as well as models of vessels built in Arklow, tools, navigational equipment, paintings and artefacts. These include Sir Francis Chichester’s Gypsy Moth III. Of particular interest to children is an operational model of the wheelhouse controls of a trawler.
To this day, Arklow Shipping LTD. has the largest fleet of vessels trading under the Irish flag and boat building still continues to be carried out by Arklow Marine Engineering LTD.
Arklow Heritage Museum Opening Times
- 7 days a week 10am-5pm
Arklow Heritage Museum Admission
- Adult: €7
- Senior/ Student: €5
- Groups: €15
Arklow Heritage Museum Visits
- Parties and group visits are welcome and can be arranged outside normal working hours.
- School visits can be organised to suit the needs of different age groups.
- Special discount prices are available for group bookings.
- There is no coach parking but it is disabled access
Directions to the Arklow Heritage Museum
From Dublin:
Take the M11 to Junction 20 (Arklow North). At roundabout take R772. As you approach the bridge across the river, turn left with the river immediately on your right. The museum is part of the Bridgewater Centre on your left. Look out for the red sea-mine which points the way to the entrance.
From Wexford:
Take the M11 to Junction 21 (Arklow South) on to R772. At the fourth roundabout turn right to enter Upper Main Street. Continue down through the town centre. Take the first right, cross the bridge over the river. At the roundabout at the end of the bridge, turn right for 100 metres. The museum is part of the Bridgewater Centre on your left. Look out for the red sea-mine which points the way to the entrance.
