Preserving the Irish Army Vintage Vehicle Fleet at The Curragh Military Museum | Season 5 – Episode 40
Wheels May 20, 2025
The Curragh Military Museum, located in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, showcases a large collection of historic vehicles and military memorabilia spanning from the British military era to modern times. With nearly 50 vehicles in the Irish Army vintage fleet, restoration projects at the Vehicle Base Workshops are ongoing for those vehicles on display as well as those held in reserve storage.
THE MUSEUM COLLECTION
The museum is divided into three sections: the natural environment, covering archaeology, flora, and fauna; the British military presence up to 1922; and the history of the Irish Defence Forces.
Speaking to Kildare Now at the relaunch of the museum in 2022, museum Curator Lt Col Healy, said “The Museum is free to everybody. We’re not a national museum; we’re a local museum with strong links to the community.” He further outlined “The main theme of the Museum is the Irish Defence Forces from the founding of the Irish Volunteers through the War of Independence, the Civil War and through to modern times.”
Exhibits include historic weapons such as the Brown Bess musket—one of the longest-serving firearms in British Army history—and the Martini-Henry rifle, known for its rapid rate of fire in the late 1800s. A significant piece of history on display is the last British flag to fly over the Curragh Camp in 1922, marking the end of British control.
Fascinating photographs from 1922 capture life at the camp before its handover to the Free State Army. At the time, the Curragh housed 6,000 British troops and 4,000 civilians, with a thriving community that included wooden accommodation billets, shops, cinemas, a swimming pool, schools, and barbers.
VINTAGE FLEET MAINTENANCE
Kevin Reid, founder of Ireland Made – stories of Irish transport was in conversation with Sgt. Brian O’Connor of the Transport School about his day-to-day role, including his role in overseeing the maintenance of the vintage fleet.
While sitting on the sideboard of the Rolls Royce Armoured Car, “Sliabh na mBan,” forever associated with Michael Collins, Sgt. O’Connor spoke about his role as an MT, Fitter, Instructor, Sergeant with responsibility for fifty heavy vehicle mechanic apprentices and their associated administration and training. His role also includes conducting recovery training for the Defence Forces, both in light and heavy recovery.
Sgt. O’Connor passionately oversees the Defence Forces’ vintage vehicle fleet, many of which are displayed at the Curragh Museum. The vintage fleet team at the Vehicle Base Workshops are currently restoring a range of vehicles, including a Comet A34 cruiser tank, Land Rover Series IIa and III, a 1952 Willys Jeep, a Unimog SH Armoured Scout Car, and a Citroën Méhari—a light cross-country 4×4. In 2024, the museum also acquired a Lancia Armoured Car chassis for a future restoration.
VEHICLE EXHIBITS
Along with the 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Armoured Car, is a Peerless Armoured Car of the type used by British forces on “Bloody Sunday,” in 1920. Outdoor displays feature a Comet A34 Tank, Churchill Tank, Beaverette Mk IV Scout Car—used by the Defence Forces after World War II—and a Panhard APC M3.
Check out our video-story of the Transport Corps (An Cór Iompair) centenary celebrations held in September 2024 where we feature the entire vintage and operational fleets:
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Curragh Military Museum is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, County Kildare just an hour from central Dublin. The museum is free entry and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Closed Fridays and Saturdays. Open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Large groups or tours must book in advance.
Our special thanks to Lt Col Des Healy – Curator, Curragh Military Museum, CQMS Donal McAlister, Comdt Conor Hurley, DF Press Officer and Sergeant Brian O’Connor.
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
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Check out our previous Irish Defence Forces video-stories:
Sources of Information and Photo Credits:
Irish Army Vehicles – Transport and Armour Since 1922 by Karl Martin
Irish Independent
Kildare Now
Military.ie
tanks-encyclopedia.com
The History of the Transport Corps
The National Archives of Ireland
