War and Peace...How the battle to keep Military Museum open was won
The Irish Military War Museum at Starinagh, Collon, has been saved from closure.
Owner William Sullivan had been facing the prospect of closing his beloved museum last week, but a last minute cheaper insurance quote has saved the facility.
“We were due to close on Monday, but officially got word that day of a new insurance quote that was much smaller.
“We have to get rid of the inflatable obstacle course, but we can remain open,” he said.
“Peter Whelan of Aontú has been a great help, I cannot thank him enough, he contacted the insurers and he is still fighting for me,” he said.
The museum is now open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and from September until next summer, each weekend and by reservations for private groups.
“I am delighted to be able to continue. This museum is my dream. It didn't think I'd be open now,” he said.
Last month, William Sullivan says he will have to take the heartbreaking decision to close as he faced a whopping insurance bill of €28,000.
“I have to pay rates as well. I've argued with the council, pointing out it is a museum, but they say it is a storage facility,” he said at the time.
The museum which opened in June 2014, looks at Irish participants’ involvement in both World War I and World War II, as well as other military conflicts in world history.
The museum recreates in stunning detail examples of trenches of World War I as well as displays of the highly motorised conflict that was World War II.
It houses one of the finest collections of WWII Allied and Axis vehicles and deactivated weapons ever assembled in Ireland.
“We cover everything basically from Napoleonic War to American Civil War, World War I, War of Independence, 1916, World War II. We do Vietnam and the Gulf War.”
William said the museum has never made a profit.
“I'll be honest, we have been open eight years, but we've never got a penny out of the place. Not a thing. “Every year it's costing me money. It's a labour of love completely, absolutely.
“I just love telling the stories and talking to people and having a bit of craic with them.
“I love hearing stories from people about their family members.
“It's a hands-on experience. “You can get up close and personal with things here in the museum.
“You can handle stuff.”
William started collecting at eight years-old when he found a coin belonging to his grandfather, who served in the Royal Irish Fusiliers and got an award for being a marksman.
Local Aontú party member Peter Whelan said he was delighted with the news.
” This tourist spot brings 15,000 visitors to our beautiful Boyne Valley every year . I am still working with William and the valuations office to get the museum exempt from rates, which is around €1,000 per month. I am confident that we will also be successful with the rates project.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind all people in the north east and further afield of the great amenity we have on our doorstep in Collon. It is a very reasonable and enjoyable day out for all the family .
“William and staff take visitors on a one-to-one tour of some excellent war and military memorabilia and he talks in great detail about where and when he got each tank or armoured vehicle.”