Rent-an-Irish Cottage Scheme
Another tourism initiative that had its genesis in the Marshall plan report was the Rent-an-Irish Cottage scheme, launched in 1969. This project, like the hotels, was intended to make up for the shortfall in tourist accommodation, while simultaneously helping to economically regenerate many of the villages in the region. Today there are cottages for rent by tourists in
Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo and Tipperary.

 

Industry
Under legislation, the duty free concept that was so successful in the airport shops was extended as the basis for the Industrial Free Zone adjacent to the airport. In 1959 factory units were built and brochures were sent to companies in the United States likely to use airfreight thus promoting the benefits
of Shannon as a manufacturing base
in Europe.

By 1961, there were eight overseas investors in the Free Zone manufacturing a wide variety of products from pianos to plastic buttons. Although a few of these early enterprises failed after a few months, there was rapid growth in overseas investment in the Free Zone throughout the 1960’s. It was apparent to O’Regan at an early stage that these workers would need accommodation nearby.
A whole new town would have to be built to meet the housing needs
of the workers.