Irish Military War Museum

Irish Military War Museum, Starinagh, Collon, County Meath, Ireland
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

Give your children a brilliant space to learn about the past, touch historical equipment, and explore military machinery in a completely immersive setting. If you are exploring the best things to do with kids in County Meath, this vast indoor and outdoor heritage museum provides an exceptional museum category for an educational family day out. It features historical indoor galleries, fascinating vehicle displays, and interactive areas for a fantastic afternoon of family entertainment.

Securing your family's entry is direct, with general admission tickets readily available upon your arrival at the venue gate. Ticket prices start from competitive standard museum entry rates, with child tickets costing approximately £6.30 (€7.50) and adult tickets priced at roughly £10.50 (€12.50). The highly rated facility covers a large historical footprint in Collon, making it a reliable and stress-free option for a family trip.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that bridges physical exploration, hands-on learning, and incredible historical artifacts, this family museum park is an excellent option. It gives younger toddlers a highly sensory environment to see large tanks and vehicles while providing older children with a deep dive into world history. It is an ideal option to let your youngsters ask questions, build social coordination skills, and try on authentic costumes.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

  • Sensory Play and Hands-On History: Children love the tactile experience of interacting with authentic equipment, feeling the weight of uniforms, and touching safe historical props.
  • Interactive Exhibits of Vehicles: The expansive outdoor and indoor display spaces allow youngsters to look directly inside real historical personnel carriers and military tanks.
  • Educational Day Out: The museum provides a brilliant, non-political historical resource that teaches schoolchildren about the realities of past world events.
  • Active Outdoor Challenges: An open parkland environment allows kids to run around and explore large machinery while enjoying fresh country air.

What Makes the Irish Military War Museum Unique?

  • The World War 1 Trench Experience: A simulated walkway built to give visitors a realistic glimpse into life on the front lines. Children love exploring the twists and turns while imagining what life was like for historical ancestors.
  • The Authentic Uniform Collection: A massive indoor exhibit featuring military clothing from multiple international eras. Youngsters love seeing the different camouflage patterns and trying on heavy woolen coats and helmets.
  • The Heavy Tank and Vehicle Display: A collection of armored personal carriers and classic military transport trucks. Kids love posing for family pictures next to massive tracks and large steel wheels.
  • The Movie and TV Prop Exhibition: A dedicated room showcasing costumes, weaponry, and unique gear used in famous Hollywood historical blockbusters. Older children love recognizing items from their favorite action dramas.
  • The Hands-On Weaponry Station: A secure, staff-supervised area where visitors can feel the cold steel of deactivated historical equipment. It gives teenagers an unforgettable appreciation for the physical realities of history.

Museum Rooms, Exhibits & Attractions

  • The World War One Exhibition Hall: The main display zone covering the early 20th-century conflict.
  • The World War Two Machinery Pavilion: An indoor space showcasing engineering and weaponry from the 1940s.
  • The Hollywood Costume Vault: A special display containing authentic movie and television military props.
  • The Roman to Modern Times Gallery: A collection of historical items tracing ancient combat gear up to modern armor.
  • The Outdoor Family Military Park: A wide open field containing retired heavy transport vehicles and tanks.
  • The Basecamp Campsite Ground: A unique open pitch area where visitors can book a camping stay next to the history park.

Facilities

  • Toilets & Amenities: Clean public toilets and accessible facilities are available inside the main reception pavilion.
  • On-Site Basecamp Cafe: A friendly visitor hub offering hot teas, coffees, and light family snacks during standard opening hours.
  • Conference & Event Spaces: A dedicated large function room is available on-site for private educational groups and gatherings.

What to see

What Visitors Love

  • Unmatched Interactive Freedom: Parents consistently praise the museum because children can safely handle artifacts instead of just staring at glass cases.
  • Extremely Passionate Staff: Families frequently highlight the incredible storytelling skills and deep historical knowledge of the staff.
  • Fantastic Family Photo Ops: Visitors love taking fun snapshots of their kids sitting inside real trucks or wearing oversized helmets.
  • Great Educational Value: Parents note that it keeps teenagers completely captivated and genuinely interested in world history lessons.

What Visitors Don't Like

  • Chilly Indoor Pavilions: A few parents mention that the large display sheds can feel a bit cold during winter months, requiring thick jumpers.
  • Limited Cafe Hot Meals: Some families note that the snack bar focuses primarily on light refreshments rather than full hot lunch selections.

Pro-Tips

  • Allow Plenty of Time: Families should plan to stay for at least two and a half hours to properly explore the interactive exhibits without rushing.
  • Visit During Living History Weekends: Keep an eye on local announcements for re-enactment days when actors bring the outdoor camps to life with extra interactive displays.
  • Dress for All Weather: Because many of the large tank displays and military trucks are located in the outdoor family park, warm jackets are highly recommended.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

  • Adult Ticket: €12.50
  • Child Ticket: €7.50
  • Family of Four Bundle: €30.00

Pricing URL: https://irishmilitarymuseum.com/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Every Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays from 10:00am to 5:00pm

Address: Irish Military War Museum, Starinagh, Collon, County Meath, Ireland

Post Code: A92 V4K7

Council: Meath County

County: County Meath

Transport Instructions: Drive along the M1 motorway from Dublin or Dundalk, exiting towards the N2 highway to reach Collon in County Meath. The facility features a spacious, completely free visitor car park located directly in front of the main museum entrance doors. For public transport, frequent regional buses run regularly from central Dublin to Collon village, leaving families with a short, scenic walk straight to the front gates.

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