Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974), known as Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle, was an American pilot famous for making the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic. The flight took place in 1927 and was from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York to Le Bourget Field in Paris. Lindbergh flew in the Spirit of St. Louis aeroplane and his courageous journey took thirty-four hours. As a result of his success, he became the world's best-known aviator. He was also a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is the highest award of military decoration in the US.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.Charles Lindbergh
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974), known as Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle, was an American pilot famous for making the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic. The flight took place in 1927 and was from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York to Le Bourget Field in Paris. Lindbergh flew in the Spirit of St. Louis aeroplane and his courageous journey took thirty-four hours. As a result of his success, he became the world's best-known aviator. He was also a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is the highest award of military decoration in the US.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.Scoping it Out
The story of Foynes flying boats begins in 1933. In that year, the world's most famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh, touched down in his Lockheed Sirius in Galway Bay.
Lindbergh was looking for an area on the West Coast of Ireland suitable for the latest exciting travel innovation: transatlantic seaplanes. He travelled the Irish West Coast investigating and then flew back to America.
Foynes remained quiet for a couple of years after that. However, one day the Irish Times sensationally announced that Foynes was to be the new site for the European terminal for transatlantic air services.
A New Air Base at Foynes
Trial flights were attempted before the final decision was made to use Foynes as the terminal for transatlantic air services.
Everything went according to plan, and the first arrivals and departures of seaplanes in Foynes occurred in July 1937.
Everything went according to plan, and the first arrivals and departures of seaplanes in Foynes occurred in July 1937.
Engine of the Yankee Clipper
This image shows one of the engines on the 'Yankee Clipper' flying boat, which was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945.
© Limerick County Library.Engine of the Yankee Clipper
© Limerick County Library.
© Limerick County Library.
Engine of the Yankee Clipper
This image shows one of the engines on the 'Yankee Clipper' flying boat, which was used in transatlantic flights between Ireland and the United States from 1939 to 1945.
© Limerick County Library.From 1939, Foynes became Ireland's first transatlantic air base, with the world-famous aircraft, the Pan-American Yankee Clipper used for the flights.
Most of the planes stopped in Foynes to refuel and break before going on to Southampton in England.