Government urged to buy Irish Military War Museum which faces closure due to rising costs

A PETITION has been launched to urge the government to buy the Irish Military War Museum at Starinagh, Collon, which is due to close at the end of the year.

William Sullivan who has been running the museum since 2014 said he can no longer continue to operate the facility. “We never made a profit here, we just broke even, but now we are losing money and cannot continue,” he said.

“I would love to be able to keep going but I would end up heavily in debt. I would love if the government took it over, I would love to see it continue,” he said.

A petition has now been set up by local businessman Peter Whelan who said the museum “is a cornerstone of our community and an incredible educational resource for generations.”

“This museum, with its extensive collection that brings to life the history of the Irish military forces, plays an invaluable role in teaching both young and old about the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes. It is a repository of collective memory and a tribute to those who have served, offering a tangible connection to our rich historical past,” he said.

William Sullivan explained that Covid, the war in Ukraine and rising costs have left him unable to continue.

“The cost of hiring buses has meant that schools are cutting back on school tours, with so many refugee children here too, they don't want to bring them to a place that reminds them of war.

“I was never in this to make money, I haven't been able to take a wage out of it for the past five or six years but I have to say that running the museum has been the best twelve years of my life. I loved every minute of it and met so many fantastic people. I will be sad to see it close.”

Peter Whelan said that support from the government would transform the museum into a national asset, allowing it to continue its vital educational mission.

“The government would have the resources to run something like this, market it and make it profitable.

“The preservation of this museum would contribute to the local economy, boosting tourism and fostering a deeper appreciation for Irish history and military heritage.

“We cannot let the closing of the Irish Military War Museum become a reality. Let's come act decisively in acquiring this invaluable institution.”

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.

It 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,” said William.

William takes 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.

“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.

Peter Whelan says William has gathered an amazing amount of war artefacts and military vehicles and uniforms from all the world wars and more importantly our national Easter rising and the states founding army’s uniforms .

“I will leave no stone unturned to try keep this fabulous museum open .

“Too much work has been put in to this project to let it go .”

The petition can be found here... https://www.change.org/p/urge-the-irish-government-to-purchase-the-irish-military-war-museum?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=mobileNativeShare&utm_campaign=share_petition&recruited_by_id=19cbdbd0-9257-11e7-9561-650c50c8f766&recruiter=775790947&share_id=DQrDvP5bZJ&fbclid=IwRlRTSASzKX9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEebiyaV9udgierBk4e9mq248UdvYtFw7tFu-WYKkbnYlV4fubAUPgIet44WJ4_aem_kUgNl6ibkqEANr1mOR1YGA