The motivating factor for O’Regan’s desire to develop the airport was the constant threat that Shannon would be over-flown. It was essential to create reasons for the planes to keep landing there. In 1950, he set about implementing the ideas he first suggested in the Marshall Aid trip report.

Brendan O’Regan had already imbued his staff with pride in their work and the sense that “we are Irish, we are different”, thus creating a culture centred around maintaining high standards of service. He sought ideas from his staff believing that everyone has the capacity to be creative. It was no accident therefore that Chef Joe Sheridan created Irish coffee in this environment, and no surprise that O’Regan had the staff welcome passengers with the beverage upon
their arrival.

 

In 1950 the world’s first airport duty-free shop was established at Shannon, initially selling Irish Whiskey to disembarking passengers. Gradually other products were added, and in 1954 a mail order service was included. It went on to become a vast operation, mailing to locations all over the world quality items such as crystal, china, fashionable clothing and jewellery.

This was a major boost for the airport and for O’Regan personally. The high regard with which he was held was further underlined by his appointment as Chairman of Bord Fáilte in the same year, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1973.