SHANNON Aviation Museum marked a major milestone with the official opening of the new Eddie Ryan Memorial Wing on Friday 21st of August.
The new wing unveiled the Irish Air Corps Museum Collection, rehomed to Shannon Aviation Museum on the closure of the longstanding museum at Casement Aerodrome in 2024. This marks the first time this important collection of Irish aviation heritage is on full public display on a year round basis.
Guests at the event included the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui Mc Crum; Irish Defence Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Support, Major General Colm Ó’Luasa; Irish Air Corps General Officer Commanding and Director of Military Aviation, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor; Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Niall Collins TD (FF); Cathal Crowe TD (FF); Joe Cooney TD (FG); and Donna McGettigan TD (SF). Also in attendance were Cathaoirleach Joe Kileen (FF); Clare County Council members; Chief Executive Gordon Daly; and Irish Aviation Authority Chief Executive Declan Fitzpatrick.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement by Jane Magill of significant funding from the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, which has enabled Shannon Aviation Museum to purchase the land and buildings it has occupied for the last 18 years, securing the museum’s long-term future and unlocking its plans for further development and expansion.
Speaking at the event, Michael Guinee highlighted the importance of community-driven projects and praised the museum’s contribution to Shannon and the wider region. Guinee noted that the museum has become an important educational, cultural and tourism asset, while preserving a unique and significant part of Ireland’s aviation heritage.
Mayor of Clare Joe Killeen emphasised the museum’s value to the local economy, tourism sector and wider community. The Cathaoirleach encouraged continued support for Shannon Airport and highlighted the important role aviation continues to play in the region’s development and identity.
Gerry Murphy, EI Foundation, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, Cllr Joe Killeen, Mayor of Clare, Jacqui McCrum, Secretary General at Dept of Defence, Gordon Daly, Clare County Council, Philomena Ryan, Geraldine Flaherty, Mick Guinee, EI Foundation, Major General Colm O’Luasa, Derek Barrett, EI Foundation, Jane Magill, Museum Co founder and Peter Murphy, EI Foundation at the offiicial opening of the Eddie Ryan Memorial Wing at Shannon Aviation Museum. Pic: Don Moloney
Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, General Officer Commanding the Irish Air Corps, delivered a particularly significant address, reflecting on the long-standing links between the Air Corps and Shannon. He recalled how Shannon, then called Rineanna, became the site of the Air Corps’ first maritime patrol operations during the Emergency (World War II) period, a key chapter in Irish military aviation history.
He expressed his delight that so much of the Irish Air Corps heritage collection is now accessible to the public through the museum. He noted that preserving and sharing this history is essential to ensuring future generations understand the contribution made by Air Corps personnel over the past century.
Clare TD Cathal Crowe recalled first meeting Jane Magill and Eddie Ryan while learning to fly at Coonagh in the early 2000s. He spoke warmly of their passion for aviation and praised the extraordinary progress made since those early days. He highlighted the museum’s important role in showcasing the aviation heritage of the Shannon region and ensuring local stories are preserved and shared with visitors.
The opening marked the culmination of a vision first established by Eddie Ryan, who alongside Jane Magill, began more than 20 years ago to create an iconic aviation museum and education centre for Shannon, a place steeped in aviation history. In an emotional tribute, Jane reflected on Eddie’s unwavering commitment to realising that vision, the challenges they overcame along the way, and the individuals and organisations whose support helped make it happen. Eddie’s proud family were there on the day of the opening, with Philomena Ryan cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
Jane also acknowledged the important contributions of the museum’s Board, CEO and team, and the Irish Air Corps who have worked to bring the two year project to fruition. Jane highlighted the contributions of the Clare Local Development Company and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, which have enabled the museum to complete capital projects and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and the Heritage Council, who have supported projects to develop and enhance exhibitions in recent years. She emphasised that the museum’s development has been built over many years through collaboration and a shared commitment to promoting and preserving Ireland’s rich aviation heritage.
