Gormanston Aerodrome
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Gormanston Aerodrome (1917-2002 circa) is a now defunct military aerodrome based between Balbriggin and Drogheda along the East coastline of Ireland in County Meath. The facility is now used solely for air-ground firing and ground military operations. It is still an active barracks of the Irish Army. The base is most easily located as being the site next to the Gormanston railway station.
[edit] History
The aerodrome started life as a Royal Flying Corps airbase in 1917. When Ireland became a freestate in 1921, operations at the base were phased back, but once again increased at the outbreak of World War two. During this time it was the second in line base for the Irish Air Corps and a primary training facility, holding the basic flight training facilities until the mid-1990s. The airfield was closed officially from 2002, and it's fate is now uncertain, despite the fact it is extensively used for A/G Firing and local army activities. Both runways at the airfield are unserviceable (originally three runways), however it is believed since Gormanston tower and Approach is still active, the Tarmac runway of 810m X 10m is still in a good enough condition to be used in an emergency.
The airfield is often used by model aircraft flyers, although not officially open to the public or civilian activities. Today the AAIU (Air Accident Investigation Unit - Ireland) is based in the original Air Corps hangers on field - the RFC hangers are no longer existent)
[edit] Trivia
- The aerodrome was often a great hive of excitement and activity, especially during the summer months when the local holiday camp, "Mosney" would often be alerted to air to sea firing activities before swimming!
- The government has suggested the hangers at Gormanston as the idea location to store their ill-fated Electronic Voting Machines on several occasions, although nothing has been confirmed as yet.
