Shannon Airport is set to enhance its passenger experience with a collection of memorabilia for the public to view while waiting for flights to depart – and donated or lent items will be welcome. 
Located in the transit lounge, near the Sheridan Food Bar, the collection is one of the initiatives to mark the 70th anniversary later this year of the first commercial flight to land at Shannon. It will be the first step towards developing a wider celebration of the historic airport.
Among the items in the collection, which is already underway and open for viewing, will be various guest visitors’ books signed by global leaders and other VIPs that flew in and out of Shannon over the decades. It will also include an array of model aircraft, including those from the early days of commercial aviation when Shannon was the first European gateway to the USA.
The collection will also include photographs and video footage taken of some of the world’s most famous people over the last century as they flew in and out of Shannon, among them stars of silver screen including Gene Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Bob Hope and some of the world’s best known political and religious leaders.
The items will be drawn from the airport’s own archive collection, while members of the public, including former staff and their families who may also have suitable items for inclusion in the gallery, are being invited to donate/loan them to the gallery.
Niall Maloney, Operations Director, said: “Shannon Airport’s significance in the world of aviation is unrivalled for an airport of its size and it is only right that we would begin developing a collection that captures this. When you think of all the firsts that came out of Shannon, from being the original transatlantic gateway between Europe and the USA to the home of duty free, there is incredible history here and this initiative will help recognise that.”
Rose Hynes, Shannon Group Chairman, said that the airport is proud of its history and wants to share it with passengers. “This is just the first phase in developing something really special to reflect the airport’s significance in national and international aviation. It is appropriate that we launch it this year given that we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first commercial transatlantic flight into Shannon.”
Anyone with items – such as photographs, autographs, collectors’ souvenirs purchased at the airport, posters, etc. – that they wish to have housed in the collection can contact Dorothy Quinn, Terminal Operations, Shannon Airport, Tel. 061 712 218, Email: [email protected]
