Pictured at the burying of a time capsule to mark eighty years since the first scheduled transatlantic flight at Shannon Airport were Ray O’Driscoll, Interim CEO The Shannon Airport Group with Hannah O’Brien, Rylana Obtinario and Lee O’Callaghan, Senior Infants Class of St Conaires National School, Shannon and their teacher Aimee Moore. Photograph: Arthur Ellis.
A TIME capsule has been buried in the ground at Shannon Airport to mark eighty years since the first scheduled transatlantic passenger flight from Co Clare.
Predictions for the future and a snapshot of life in 2025 were contained in the commemorative time capsule which was buried underground at Shannon Airport on Tuesday morning.
Submissions opened last month for the ‘Time Sealed and Delivered’ initiative in September with entries received from schools in Clare, Limerick, Galway and Tipperary.
Senior Infants from St Conaire’s NS in Shannon included AI generated portraits of future selves where they were joined by teacher Aimee Moore and principal Peter Walsh.
Poetic reflections were made by students at the Brothers of Charity in Shannon who gave a moving perspective on the importance of inclusive journeys.
Ballynacally NS student Clodagh Griffin included a drawing of a smart phone with a message on how much phones are used nowadays for travelling. Students from Kilkishen NS
Predictions about driverless cars and prosthetic technology also featured while a glimpse into daily school life, the spirit of rural communities and small schools were also emphasised in the submissions.
Sustainability was another focus of the contributions. A branded Visit Clare cup celebrated Ireland’s first countywide Certified Sustainable Tourism Destination. The Shannon Airport Group’s own, award-winning conservation grazing project was documented alongside other green initiatives – a reminder that environmental stewardship is central to the region’s identity.
Shannon’s distinctive business landscape was also acknowledged in the time capsule via contributions from companies that represent both its legacy and future. El Electronics, one of the earliest to establish in the Shannon Free Zone in 1963 shared materials that speak to its enduring local presence and global success. Mbryonics who are preparing to join the Shannon Airport Business Park, offered a message about its mission to deliver the internet in space, capturing the spirit of cutting-edge Irish innovation.
Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) shared a message about its work in next-generation mobility and infrastructure, expressing hope that today’s innovations will shape tomorrow’s reality.
The Shannon Airport Group’s own contribution offers a detailed snapshot of the organisation in 2025, including a staff photo, key statistics such as passenger numbers, routes and carbon emissions, and airport ground plans that may look very different in 80 years’ time.
Interim CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Ray O’Driscoll was the first to begin burying the time capsule. He stated, “This Time Capsule isn’t just about honouring where we’ve come from, it’s about sharing who we are today with the future. Since that first scheduled transatlantic passenger flight in 1945, Shannon Airport has grown into a place of global significance and local pride.
“From welcoming over two million passengers a year to pioneering world-firsts like Duty Free shopping and US Preclearance, Shannon has consistently led the way in aviation, innovation and accessibility. As we mark eighty years of progress, it’s exciting to imagine where we’ll be in another eighty. By preserving a snapshot of life today, we’re giving future generations the chance to look back, reflect, and see just how far we’ve come,” he added.
Sealed at Shannon Airport, the time capsule will remain buried on the grounds of the Airport until 2105 when the 160th anniversary of the first scheduled transatlantic flight is celebrated.
