The yacht Asgard is one of the most iconic sailing vesseld in Irish history. From her building in 1905 by Colin Archer, the celebrated Norwegian naval architect, to her pivotal role in the 1914 Howth gun-running and her later use as Ireland's first national sail-training vessel, the yacht has had many incarnations. Her story is intertwined with many of the wider historical events that were to influence and shape the course of Irish history in the 20th century.

Following a decade of debate, a major conservation programme of Asgard was undertaken at the National Museum, Collins Barracks from 2007 to 2012. An expert team, led by Master Shipwright and Ship conservator John Kearon, set out to conserve the Asgard while retaining the structural integrity of te vessel and preserving as much of the existing original material as possible. Missing components were replicated in original form, with the ultiamte aims of the project being to return the vessel to her original form and to display her in a contextualised gallery.

The historic yacht went on exhibition in Collins barracks in August 2012.