Knock Airport's County Location: A Quick Guide

Ireland West Airport Knock, also known as IWAK, is located in County Mayo, Ireland. The airport officially opened on May 30, 1986, and was known as Knock Airport, Connacht Regional Airport, and Horan International Airport before changing its name to Ireland West Airport in 2005. The airport is unique in that it is operated independently by the Connaught Airport Development Company (CADCO) Ltd, a private company with shareholdings from the Horan Airport Trust and seven local authorities in the West and North West regions.

Ireland West Airport Knock is in County Mayo

Ireland West Airport Knock is located in County Mayo, in the West of Ireland. It is also known as IWAK and was first opened as Knock Airport in 1986. The airport is unique in that it is operated independently by the Connaught Airport Development Company (CADCO) Ltd, a private company.

The airport was the brainchild of Monsignor James Horan, the Parish Priest of Knock from 1967 to 1986. He believed an airport was necessary in the region to allow pilgrims to visit a nearby Catholic shrine. Despite opposition and resistance, his persistent campaigning resulted in the airport's opening. It was renamed Ireland West Airport in 2005.

The airport has won several awards, including Best Regional Airport in 2005 and 2006. It has also been the subject of a song by Irish folk singer-songwriter Christy Moore, who wrote 'Knock Song' about the airport's construction. The story of the airport's construction is also depicted in the musical 'On a Wing and a Prayer', which focuses on the life of Monsignor Horan and his struggle to get the airport built.

Ireland West Airport Knock has continued to develop its infrastructure, receiving planning permission for the expansion of its terminal building in 2008. It has also received investments from local authorities, with seven local councils now owning 17.5% of the airport. The airport currently serves over 20 scheduled and charter destinations across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and beyond.

The airport is owned and operated by Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd

Ireland West Airport Knock, located in County Mayo in the West of Ireland, is owned and operated by Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd (CADCO), an independent airport operator. The company is a private entity, with 82.5% of its shares owned by The Horan Airport Trust, and the remaining 17.5% owned by seven local authorities: Donegal County Council, Galway County Council, Galway City Council, Leitrim County Council, Mayo County Council, Roscommon County Council, and Sligo County Council.

The establishment of the airport, first opened in 1986, was the vision of Monsignor James Horan, who believed an airport was necessary to serve pilgrims visiting a nearby Catholic shrine. Despite criticism and resistance, Horan persevered, and the airport was built within five years, largely financed by a £9.8 million government grant.

Horan's determination to bring an airport to the region is celebrated in the Irish folk song "Knock Song" by Christy Moore and the musical "On a Wing and a Prayer." The airport was initially named Knock Airport and has since been known as Knock International Airport, Connacht Regional Airport, and Horan International Airport.

Today, the airport serves over 20 scheduled and charter destinations across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and beyond. It offers various amenities, including a terminal building with a juice bar and Wi-Fi, as well as more than 1,500 car parking spaces for short-term and long-term parking.

It was first opened as Knock Airport in 1986

Ireland West Airport Knock, located in County Mayo, was first opened as Knock Airport in 1986. The airport was the brainchild of Monsignor James Horan, the Parish Priest of Knock from 1967 to 1986. He believed that an airport was necessary in the region to enable pilgrims to visit a nearby Catholic shrine, Knock Shrine.

Despite widespread opposition and criticism of the proposed site, which was considered too boggy and foggy, Monsignor Horan persevered with his vision. He successfully delivered the airport within five years, primarily financed by a government grant of £9.8 million.

The airport was officially opened on May 30, 1986, and has since been known as Knock International Airport, Connacht Regional Airport, and Horan International Airport. Monsignor Horan died shortly after the airport's opening, and his funeral was held at the airport, then named Horan International Airport. A bronze statue of him now stands at the airport in recognition of his achievements.

Since its opening, Ireland West Airport Knock has undergone significant development and expansion. In 2005, the airport changed its name to Ireland West Airport, and it is now owned and operated by the Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd, with shareholdings from several local authorities. The airport has received numerous awards and handles a growing number of passengers each year, with over 734,000 passengers in 2016, its busiest year to date.

The airport is named after Monsignor James Horan, its visionary

Ireland West Airport, formerly known as Knock Airport, is located in County Mayo, Ireland. The airport is named after Monsignor James Horan, who was instrumental in its establishment.

Monsignor James Horan was born in Partry, County Mayo, in 1911, and served as the Parish Priest of Knock from 1967 until his death in 1986. He is widely known for his successful campaign to bring an international airport to Knock, despite criticism that the site was too foggy and boggy for such a development.

Horan's vision for an airport in Knock was driven by his desire to improve the local area and boost the regional economy. He believed that an airport would help create jobs and reduce emigration from the region, which was experiencing economic stagnation at the time. Despite the challenges, Horan persevered and was able to secure funding for the project, primarily through a government grant of £9.8 million.

Construction of the airport began in 1981, and it officially opened on 30 May 1986. Unfortunately, Monsignor James Horan passed away unexpectedly during a pilgrimage trip to Lourdes on 1 August 1986, just two months after the airport's opening. His body was flown back to Knock, becoming the first funeral to arrive at the airport he had worked tirelessly to establish.

Today, the airport continues to bear his name, with the aeronautical charts of the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation referring to it as Ireland West. The airport is a testament to Monsignor James Horan's vision and determination, and it stands as a symbol of the community's resilience and pursuit of its dreams.

It is Ireland's fourth international airport

Ireland West Airport Knock, also known as IWAK, is Ireland's fourth international airport. It is located in County Mayo in the West of Ireland. The airport officially opened on 30 May 1986 and was known as Knock Airport, Connacht Regional Airport, and Horan International Airport before adopting its current name. The airport is named after Monsignor James Horan, the Parish Priest of Knock from 1967 to 1986, who is credited with the vision and determination to build an international airport in the region.

The primary motivation for constructing the airport was to attract pilgrims to the nearby Knock Shrine. Despite criticisms regarding the site's unsuitability due to boggy and foggy conditions, Monsignor Horan successfully delivered the airport within five years, primarily financed by a government grant of £9.8 million. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after the airport's opening, and his funeral was held at the airport, then known as Horan International Airport.

Ireland West Airport Knock has experienced significant growth and development over the years. By 1988, the airport had welcomed over 100,000 passengers. In 1995, Aer Lingus commenced flights to Birmingham, and since 2003, various low-cost and regional airlines have added routes to Great Britain and mainland Europe. The airport's popularity and usage have continued to increase, with passenger numbers reaching 734,000 in 2016, making it the busiest year in the airport's history.

The airport has received several awards, including Best Regional Airport in 2005 and 2006 by the Ireland Chamber of Commerce Awards and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale Honorary Group Diploma in 2007 by the National Aero Club of Ireland. It offers a range of facilities and services, including an executive lounge, taxi services, car rental, and comprehensive parking options. The airport is easily accessible and is located near the N17 road, halfway between Galway and Sligo, and close to the N5 Westport to Longford road.

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