About Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio
Hello, friend! As a born-and-bred Dubliner who's climbed every cliff in Howth, let me tell you about one of the peninsula's true oddities: the Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio. Housed in a rugged Martello Tower from 1804 , built to fend off Napoleon , this place is the passion project of the late Cecil Byrne, packed with over 1,000 relics of bygone communication eras. Picture shelves groaning under glowing valve radios, crackly gramophones, and early phonographs that once filled Irish homes with dancehall tunes and crackling news bulletins from RTE's humble beginnings.
It's not just a dusty collection; it's a portal to Ireland's wireless age, from Marconi's experiments to transistor triumphs. The sea-sprayed tower overlooks the wild Irish Sea, where seals bask on rocks below, blending military history with tech nostalgia. You'll sniff the faint must of aged Bakelite and hear restored sets humming to life.
What to Expect
A steep but short scramble up Lusmore Lane from bustling Main Street leads to the tower's arched door. Inside the dimly lit, circular stone space, exhibits climb the spiral stairs , ship radios, amateur ham gear, even TVs from the 1950s. On open days, demos let you tune in vintage broadcasts. Allow 45-90 minutes; it's intimate, not overwhelming. Stunning 360-degree cliff views reward the effort.
Insider Tips
Time your visit for summer weekends (2pm-5pm) when it's reliably open , otherwise, email ahead for private tours. Sturdy shoes are a must for the uneven path; pair it with Howth's Cliff Path Walk for epic coastal vibes and a post-museum fish 'n' chips at Beshoff Bros. Entry by donation (€5 suggested) keeps it grassroots. Locals whisper it's Howth's best-kept secret among Dublin museums , beat the tour buses and feel like you've discovered buried treasure. In this neighbourhood of fishing tales and lighthouse beams, it captures the inventive spirit of our maritime past perfectly.
Whether geeking out on gadgets or savouring seaside solitude, this museum delivers pure Howth magic.