Founder of the Shannon Aviation Museum and Atlantic Air Adventures, Edward Ryan has been honoured by the Royal Aeronautical Society.
A native of Tipperary, Eddie joined the Irish Air Corps some 71 years ago. From there, he moved to the United Kingdom and worked on iconic aircraft including the Lightning, Victor, Vulcan and Valiant as well his treasured Buccaneer and TSRII.
Ryan founded the Shannon aviation museum in 2008 but the first idea of establishing such a facility dawned on him in 2001 when he retired from a longstanding career in aviation and decided to kickstart a project that would recognise Shannon’s impressive aviation history.
Last week, Eddie proudly received the Royal Aeronautical Society Distinguished Service Award for a lifetime dedicated to aviation excellence and inspiring many young people.
He had further reason to smile as the Shannon Aviation Museum collectin received a new exhibit from the Irish Air Corps, that being the recently retired Cessna FR.172’s. The aircraft served with the Irish Air Corps since 1972 when nine Cessna FR.172’s were delivered and they remained in service until October 2019. Five aircraft were still active on the retirement date and they flew a total of 63,578 hours in Air Corps service.
Gratitude to General Officer Commanding Air Corps Rory O’Connor, the Department of Defence and Clare TD Joe Carey (FG) was voiced “for making this donation to Shannon Aviation Museum which will help inspire and educate the next generation and many more after that,” by a spokesperson.
