Special episode to celebrate 40 years of Ireland West Airport tonight
RTÉ programme to tell story of Monsignor James Horan’s vision and the airport that transformed the west of Ireland
A special anniversary episode of Nationwide will air this evening celebrating 40 years since the official opening of Ireland West Airport Knock and the extraordinary story behind one of the West of Ireland’s most ambitious projects.
The programme will broadcast tonight on RTÉ One at 7pm and will chart the history, growth and impact of the Knock airport, which first opened on what was described as a “foggy, boggy hillside” in Co. Mayo four decades ago.
Presented by Colm Flynn, the episode will revisit the vision of the late Monsignor James Horan, the parish priest who pushed forward plans to build an airport close to Knock Shrine despite significant scepticism and opposition.
Against considerable odds, Monsignor Horan’s belief in the project eventually became reality when the first commercial flights departed from Knock Airport, creating a transport hub that would go on to transform regional connectivity and economic development in the west of Ireland.
The programme will explore how the airport evolved over four decades, serving hundreds of thousands of passengers annually and welcoming international visitors, including Pope Francis during his 2018 visit to Ireland and former U.S. President Joe Biden.
Viewers will also hear from some of the people who have helped keep the airport operating over the years, including staff members who have worked there since its earliest days.
The anniversary programme comes as celebrations continue to mark 40 years of Ireland West Airport Knock, with renewed focus on the airport’s contribution to tourism, jobs, connectivity and regional growth across Mayo and the wider West.