The Irish Military War Museum in County Meath, covering 5,000 square feet of floor space, represents a distinctly non-political but fascinating educational and historical resource for people of all ages and from right across the island of Ireland and beyond.

Given the highly strained relationship between Britain and Ireland down through the centuries, the museum explains the complex political background behind why 210,000 Irishmen from both traditions fought in the mud sodden trenches of France, Flanders and the Dardanelles during World War I as rebellion tensions erupted back in Ireland.

Twenty years later, an estimated 80,000 Irishmen of the next generation from neutral Southern Ireland again fought with the British Armed Forces against the tide of fascism during what the Irish Government called ‘The Emergency’. In addition, many Irish people served in other armies including the armed forces of the United States during World War II. Thousands of Irish born soldiers did not return from both conflicts.

The Irish Military War Museum recreates in stunning detail examples of trenches of World War I as well as displays of the highly motorized conflict that was World War II.

The Museum houses one of the finest collections of World War II Allied and Axis vehicles and deactivated weapons ever assembled in Ireland. There is also tank driving lessons.