John H Luxton Photography

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Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

This series of photographs taken on August 28, 2013 of the historic yacht ASGARD which is now displayed in the Collins Barracks Museum complex in Dublin.

The yacht was restored and conserved over a period of five years from 2007 to 2012. The ASGARD is open for public inspection during Museum opening hours, admission is free and well worth a visit.

Probably the most significant vessel in the history of the Irish state ASGARD was built by Norwegian yacht designer Colin Archer and owned by Robert Erskine Childers (author of the spy novel "Riddle of the Sands") and his wife Molly. ASGARD was used to deliver German rifles to Howth Harbour shortly before the outbreak of WWI to arm the Irish Volunteers.

These weapons would be used by Irish forces during the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule.

During World War I Childers held several positions in the British armed forces including that of an officer on board the Isle of Man Steam Packet ship BEN-MY-CHREE which had been converted to a sea plane carrier by Cammell Laird.

After WWI Childers returned to Ireland and joined the provisional Sinn Féin government as director of publicity.

Following the Anglo- Irish Treaty, which established the Irish Free State, Childers took the anti-treaty side in the Civil War which followed. This was to lead to his arrest and subsequent execution for the possession of a fire arm by the Irish Free State authorities.

ASGARD which had been laid up during WWI in Wales was eventually sold by Molly Childers. In 1961 ASGARD was acquired by the Irish State and following a re-enactment of the Howth Gun Running was then employed as a sail training vessel until retired to Kilmainham Gaol for public display in 1974.

She remained at the Gaol until 2001 when she was removed for restoration.
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  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    ASGARD is displayed in its own building in the grounds of the historic Collins Barracks in Dublin.

    L20135727HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    The ASGARD building originally served at a hymn for the Irish Army.

    L20135730HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Stern view of ASGARD. Only one side of the hull has been painted the starboard side has been left unpainted to clearly show the planking.

    L20135731HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Port side of the ASGARD.

    L20135732HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    This view clearly shows how the vessel has been restored to reveal both the finished hull port side and the planking starboard side.

    L20135733HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    The cockpit

    L20135734HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Although the interior is not open to the public it has been fully restored as shown by these photographs.

    L20135735HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Bow view.

    L20135736HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    View down the bowsprit.

    L20135737HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    For those that remember the rather care worn exhibit in the yard at Kilmainham Gaol the restored vessel makes an interesting contrast.

    L20135739HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Port side of the ASGARD which is fully restored.

    L20135740HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    View down the port side of ASGARD.

    L20135741HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    View down the bowsprit.

    L20135742HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Bow detail of ASGARD.

    L20135743HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    L2013_5745

    L20135745HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    L2013_5746

    L20135746HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Starboard side navigation light - ASGARD.

    L20135747HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Work bench and tools used during the restoration of ASGARD.

    L20135748HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Stern and cockpit of ASGARD.

    L20135749HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

  • Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    Asgard - The Historic Howth Gun Runner

    View from the stern.

    L20135750HOWTHASGARDEIRENATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELANDCOLLINS BARRACKSDUBLINIRISH NAVAL SERVICEHISTORIC SHIPEASTER RISING 1916IRELANDERSKINE CHILDERSCOLIN ARCHERYACHTIRISH VOLUNTEERSÓglaigh na hÉireann

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