What would Monsignor James Horan think of Knock airport today?
By Tom Gillespie
IRELAND West Airport boss Joe Gilmore often wonders what founder Monsignor James Horan would think of the development 40 years on.
As the airport celebrates its 40th anniversary, Mr. Gilmore said: “I do ask myself if Monsignor Horan was around 40 years later how he would feel about it.
“I hope that when he saw that nearly a million people are using the airport every year and all the activity around it that he would be pleased.
“I would say he would be probably disappointed that we haven’t been able to progress as a region more of the economic zone around the airport and while there is an ongoing project now with the SDZ and we are seeking to try and bring more business and industry into it, it is probably the area we are working on and calling on the region and the government to try and get that off the ground.”
He added: “It would be nice to see more employment in terms of a spin-off at the airport.
“Our plans are to continue to grow and develop but be sustainable. The key is to be sustainable and to have a business that is viable and that it will be here for the longer term.”
MEMORABILIA ON DISPLAY
Meanwhile, to mark the 40th anniversary of the birth of Ireland West Airport, revered founder Monsignor Horan is being remembered in a special way at the Sláinte Barista Café in the airport terminal.
His signature ‘Russian’ hat, reading glasses, Roman Breviary and rosary beads, from the Knock Museum Collection, take pride of place in a showcase in the upstairs café.
Also in the glass case is a photo of the Monsignor, arms spread in triumph at the end of the runway.
In the adjoining glass case is the first sod that was turned at the airport development on Saturday, May 2, 1981, which was donated by Jimmy Caulfield.
Also on display is the silver spade that was used to turn the first sod which was donated by Stephen Tarpey.
Close by on a huge screen is looped replay of US President Joe Biden’s landing at the airport on Friday, April 14, 2023.