Arklow Maritime Museum

About

The Arklow Heritage Museum (formerly the Arklow Maritime Museum) opened in 1976 in the old technical school on Saint Marys Road in Arklow, County Wicklow. Its original purpose was to celebrate the town's rich seafaring heritage, described by the late maritime historian John de Courcy Ireland in a letter to the museum as "Ireland's Most Maritime Town". In 2009, the museum moved to its current location at the Bridgewater Shopping Centre. As the scope of the museum has evolved to cover the general history of Arklow, the museum renamed itself to the Arklow Heritage Museum as of 2025.

Establishment: As of the early 20th century, many families in Arklow had some connection with the sea, whether it was fishing, coasting or deep-sea sailing. While many houses had souvenirs or artefacts relating to these activities, by the 1970s, such items were being discarded. Aware that this would see Arklow's maritime heritage disappear, a group of people got together to save what they could for future generations. A one-off exhibition was held in the Marlborough Hall on St Mary's Road around 1970 or 1971. On 17 and 18 March 1973, a second Maritime Exhibition was held. This time the venue...