National Transport Museum of Ireland
Volunteer-run museum of Irish road transport in the Heritage Depot at Howth Castle, with trams, buses and commercial vehicles from 1883 to 1984.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum grew out of the Transport Museum Society of Ireland, which began in 1949 with an early attempt to save three Dublin trams. The society was entirely voluntary, became a limited company in 1971 and is now a registered charity that says it works to international museum standards.
Its museum first opened in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, where it operated from 1974 to 1985. In 1986 the collection moved to its present home, the Heritage Depot in the demesne of Howth Castle, on the north side of Dublin Bay. The depot was made available by the owners of the castle estate.
The collection is described as the only broad assembly of public service and commercial road vehicles in Ireland. The oldest vehicles date from 1883 and the newest from 1984. They include trams such as the Hill of Howth tram no. 9 and Dublin tram no. 253, Dublin buses from the Leyland Titan to the last Irish-built double-decker, military vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles and utility vehicles. Only part of the collection is on show at any time, and other vehicles can be seen by prior arrangement.
Highlights
- Hill of Howth tram no. 9 and Dublin tram no. 253
- Leyland Titan and AEC Regent buses from Dublin's streets
- Bedford prototype school bus of 1967
- Last Irish-built double-decker, a Bombardier KD of CIÉ
- Fire engines, military and utility vehicles
Permanent exhibitions
- Trams – Dublin and Hill of Howth trams, including no. 9 and no. 253.
- Passenger vehicles – Buses from the Leyland Titan to the last Irish-built double-decker.
- Founded
- 1974
- Operated by
- National Transport Museum (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Children, seniors and students |
| Children & teens | €4 |
| Seniors | €4 |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Families | €12 |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €12 |
|---|
A family ticket is available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus stop opposite the Howth Castle gates · 365 m
Dublin Bus route H3 from Abbey Street Lower (stop 7591); Howth DART station is 730 m away.
The museum is 365 m from the bus stop opposite the castle gates and 730 m from Howth DART station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | About 60 of the 100 or so vehicles kept at Howth are on display; others can be viewed by arrangement. |
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