The Inishowen Maritime
Museum in Greencastle Co Donegal was opened to the public in 1994 with the
assistance of the Inishowen Community Development Limited, the EU Leader
Programme and the International Fund for Ireland. The Museum is located in the old coastguard
station above Greencastle harbour and has a commanding view over one of the
premier fishing fleets in Ireland, with superb views over Lough Foyle towards
County Derry. It is situated close to the terminal of the Greencastle –
Magilligan ferry.
Among the Museum’s exhibits
are a 19th century rocket cart used to aid survivors of wrecked ships; a
traditional Fanad Curragh built with hazel rods, lathes and canvas; a wild
fowling punt with a swivel gun and a Lough Foyle punt. The Museum also has a
room devoted to the ships of the ill fated Spanish Armada which sunk off the
Irish coast in 1588 and a room devoted to the part which Greencastle played in
the history of emigration from Ireland in the 19th century.
In 2009 the Museum acquired
a unique and unrivalled archive of material about Ireland’s long-standing
fishing industry. ’The Irish Skipper
Archives’ is a vast collection of articles, information and important
developments in the Irish fishing industry as published in ‘The Irish Skipper’
journal over the last four decades. The Museum has a coffee, craft and souvenir
shop.