From 1959 on, O’Regan was promoting the idea that the success of any Industrial Zone around the airport would be dependent on an available workforce.

 

In 1961, the Shannon Free Airport Development Company (SFADCo), purchased land for the construction of housing. Initially 147 flats were built, soon followed by social facilities, such as shops, a community hall, children’s play areas and tennis courts. Shortly after, the first housing scheme was built by SFADCo for rent to tenants employed in the Zone. Throughout the 1960s the population grew rapidly, as further housing schemes were built. Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, a Garda barracks, three schools, a pub and a golf course were provided. At that time Shannon was part of the parish of Newmarket-on-Fergus. In 1967 it was set up as a new parish and by 1970 the population of the town had reached 3,000 people.

In 1981, after much lobbying, Shannon received Town Commissioner status, thus making it the first newly established town in the history of the State. In the intervening years a new Library, Swimming Pool complex, Health Centre and other developments have been provided. It is now the second biggest town in Clare with a population of over 8,000 people. The recently developed Skycourt Shopping Centre in the heart of the town has greatly increased the shopping and commercial facilities available to all who live and visit Shannon.

In recent years, O’Regan’s sense of practical patriotism was to the fore when be became a founding member of Obair in 1993, a community development organisation centred in Newmarket-on-Fergus which focuses on enterprise and community development and provides support and services for young people.