Dublin Fire Brigade Museum
Two-floor museum of uniforms, equipment and photographs telling 150 years of Dublin Fire Brigade, visited on pre-booked Thursday tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Dublin Fire Brigade Museum was set up in 1985 and is housed in the O’Brien Institute on the Malahide Road in Marino. Dublin Fire Brigade itself was founded in 1862, and its ambulance service followed in 1898. Many of the objects in the museum were donated by the families of Dublin firefighters, among them the families of men and women who died in the line of duty.
The collection fills two floors and includes uniforms, equipment and photographs that show how firefighting gear has changed over time. It also holds items from major events in the city’s history in which the brigade was called out, such as the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and Civil War, the Luftwaffe bombing of the North Strand in 1941 and the Stardust nightclub fire in 1981. Old photographs show the days when firefighters wore a suit and tie to report for duty.
The building has its own story. The O’Brien Institute was built between 1880 and 1882 as a French Gothic school for Catholic children, funded from the estate of Bridget O’Brien, and it taught boys and girls until 1972. Dublin Corporation bought it in 1982, and since 1984 it has been the training centre of Dublin Fire Brigade.
Highlights
- Uniforms, equipment and photographs from 150 years of Dublin Fire Brigade
- Items from the 1916 Rising, the 1941 North Strand bombing and the Stardust fire
- Collection built largely from donations by firefighters’ families
- Housed in the Gothic-style O’Brien Institute, now the brigade’s training centre
- Tours on Thursdays by advance booking
Permanent exhibition
- History of Dublin Fire Brigade – A two-floor display of uniforms, equipment and photographs covering about 150 years of the brigade, including items from the 1916 Rising and the 1941 North Strand bombing.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Dublin Fire Brigade (Dublin City Council)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum is visited on a tour that must be booked beforehand by phone or e-mail. The same building is the working training centre of Dublin Fire Brigade. |
