Lois Larson
Ireland West Airport Knock is a regional airport in County Mayo, Ireland, located just outside the village of Knock. The airport is owned and operated by Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd, with the Horan Airport Trust owning 82.5% of the company and the remaining 17.5% owned by seven local authorities. The airport has grown beyond a transit point for pilgrims and now serves nine scheduled destinations in the UK and Ireland, along with chartered services to 14 European destinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ireland West Airport Knock |
| Location | Just outside the town of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Nearest large town | Castlebar, 30 miles (48km) away |
| International Airport Code | NOC |
| Owner | Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd |
| Funding | Funded by government grants totaling IR£9.858 million and a IR£1.3 million grant from the European Union |
| Development Fee | €10 for departing passengers aged 12 years and over |
| Transportation | Shuttle bus service to Charlestown; licensed taxi-cabs available |
| Facilities | The Runway Bar, The Skyline Restaurant & Bar |
| Scheduled Destinations | Dublin, London (3 airports), Glasgow, Manchester, East Midlands, Birmingham, Bristol |
| Transatlantic Connections | Dublin, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester |
| Awards | Voted Ireland's best regional airport in 2006 and 2009 by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland |
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What You'll Learn
Ireland West Airport Knock is located in County Mayo, Ireland
The airport was built primarily to attract pilgrims to Knock Shrine, following an apparition of The Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist at the south gable of Knock Parish Church on 21 August 1879. Knock has since become an internationally recognised pilgrimage site and Marian Shrine.
The airport was primarily financed by government grants totalling £9.858 million. It was opened by Mgr James Horan, who successfully lobbied for its construction. A bronze statue of Horan now stands at the airport. In 2005, the airport was renamed Ireland West Airport Knock, and it was voted Ireland's best regional airport in 2006 and 2009.
The airport has grown beyond a transit point for pilgrims and now serves 9 scheduled destinations in the UK and Ireland, as well as chartered services to 14 European destinations. It is serviced by a shuttle bus service to Charlestown, which links with the Bus Eireann network, and licensed taxis are available outside the terminal. Car rental is also available through companies including Budget, Avis, Europcar and Hertz.
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The closest large town, Castlebar, is 30 miles away
Ireland West Airport Knock is located just outside the village of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland. The closest large town, Castlebar, is 30 miles (48km) away. The airport is owned and operated by the Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd, with the Horan Airport Trust owning 82.5% of the company and the remaining 17.5% owned by seven local authorities.
The airport was built to attract pilgrims to Knock Shrine, which is an internationally recognised pilgrimage site and Marian Shrine. This is due to an occurrence on the 21st of August 1879, where The Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. In the 1980s, Mgr James Horan successfully lobbied for an airport to be built nearby.
Castlebar, as the closest large town to the airport, is a hub for those travelling to and from the airport. The town offers a range of services and amenities for visitors and locals alike. It is also a popular tourist destination in its own right, with a number of attractions and natural features to explore. The town is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and its strong sense of community.
There are several transport options available for those travelling between Castlebar and Ireland West Airport Knock. These include taxi services, shuttle bus services, and car rental options. The journey between the two locations typically takes around 40 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic and the chosen mode of transportation.
In addition to Castlebar, there are several other towns and villages in the surrounding area that are worth exploring. These include Claremorris, home to the Woofland Dog Park, and Ballina, where visitors can discover the Connacht Whiskey Distillery and the natural beauty of Belleek Woods.
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The airport is privately owned and operated
Knock Airport, officially known as Ireland West Airport Knock, is located in the village of Knock, County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. The airport is a significant transport hub for the region, serving both domestic and international destinations. What sets Knock Airport apart is its unique ownership and management structure. Unlike many other airports in Ireland and worldwide, which are often owned and operated by government entities or large airport authorities, Knock Airport is privately owned and operated.
The airport's private ownership has played a crucial role in its development and operations. It was founded through the initiatives of a local priest, Father Ted Browne, and a group of passionate locals who recognized the need for better air connectivity in the region. With the support of the community, they raised funds and acquired the necessary permissions to establish the airport, which began operations in 1986. This strong community involvement and local ownership have continued to shape the airport's development.
The private ownership model has provided Knock Airport with a level of flexibility and agility in its operations and decision-making processes. Without the same level of bureaucratic constraints that may exist in publicly owned airports, Knock Airport has been able to adapt quickly to market demands and introduce new routes and services. This responsiveness has been key to the airport's success and has allowed it to cater to the specific needs of the region it serves.
The airport is operated by a dedicated team of professionals who ensure the smooth running of all aspects of the facility. This includes managing day-to-day operations, overseeing infrastructure maintenance, and coordinating with airlines and other stakeholders. The airport's management also focuses on fostering strong relationships with the local community and promoting the region as a tourist destination, which has been instrumental in attracting visitors to the area.
Being privately owned and operated also brings certain challenges and responsibilities. The airport operates as a commercial enterprise and must ensure financial sustainability while maintaining high standards of safety, security, and customer service. To achieve this, the airport's management has implemented efficient business practices and sought to diversify its revenue streams. This includes not only airline operations but also commercial activities such as retail, parking, and property rentals.
The unique ownership and operational model of Knock Airport has been a key factor in its success and has contributed to the development of the region. The airport continues to play a vital role in connecting the west of Ireland to the rest of the world, and its private ownership and local roots remain a source of pride for the community it serves.
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It was built to attract pilgrims to Knock Shrine
Ireland West Airport Knock is located just outside the town of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland. The closest large town is Castlebar, which is 30 miles (48km) away. The airport's development was primarily motivated by the desire to attract pilgrims to the Knock Shrine, a significant religious site located in the village of Knock.
The Knock Shrine is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site and national shrine in County Mayo. It is known for the Knock Apparition of 1879, where locals claimed to have witnessed an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, angels, and Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God). This event transformed Knock into an internationally recognised pilgrimage destination. Each Irish diocese makes an annual pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine, and various popes have visited and blessed the site over the years.
The primary advocate for building the airport was Monsignor James Horan, who successfully lobbied the Taoiseach (prime minister) at the time, Charles Haughey, to secure millions of pounds in state aid for the project. Despite criticisms regarding the site's boggy and foggy conditions, Horan persevered, and the airport was completed within five years, primarily financed by government grants totalling £9.8 million (approximately £25 million in today's money).
Since its construction, the airport has expanded beyond solely serving pilgrims. It offers scheduled flights to several destinations within the UK and Ireland and chartered services to various European locations. The airport has received recognition as Ireland's best regional airport in 2006 and 2009 by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.
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The airport has a range of facilities, including bars and cafes
Knock Airport, officially known as Ireland West Airport Knock, is located in County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. The closest large town is Castlebar, which is 30 miles (48km) away.
In addition to these, the airport also has a number of other eateries, including Barwest, Eatwest, and Sláinte Barista Cafe. For those who enjoy shopping, there is a selection of shops to browse, and for travellers requiring ground transportation, car rental services are available from companies such as Discovering Ireland Vacations, Budget, Avis, Europcar, and Hertz.
The airport also provides free WiFi throughout the terminal, and short-term and long-term parking areas with over 1,500 spaces, all within walking distance of the terminal.
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Frequently asked questions
Knock Airport, also known as Ireland West Airport, is located in County Mayo, just outside the village of Knock.
There are several attractions near Knock Airport, including the Connacht Whiskey Distillery in Ballina, the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Village, and Belleek Woods.
There is a shuttle bus service between the airport and Charlestown, which links with the Bus Eireann network. Specific taxi-cabs licensed by the airport are also available outside the terminal building. Additionally, several international car rental companies offer rental facilities at the airport, including Budget, Avis, Europcar, and Hertz.
Knock Airport has a variety of facilities, including the Runway Bar, a small cosy cafe located on the ground floor, and the Skyline Restaurant & Bar, which offers panoramic views of the runway from the first floor. The airport also features an executive lounge for passengers to relax and enjoy refreshments before their flight.
