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Shannon
Airport announced that it would commemorate the centenary in 2017 of the birth of O'Regan, described as "founder of Shannon Airport and the man behind so many of the great innovations of the region" In line with a call by
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189:. From this base, he embarked on a series of projects which transformed the Shannon Region, many of which were replicated internationally. In 1947, he invented the concept of the airport
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and
Northern Ireland. He has been described as one of Ireland's "most noted peace ambassadors and initiators of commercial and industrial projects". In a tribute to him, President
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261:), a non-denominational and non-party organisation aimed at fostering co-operation between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In 1984, he established the
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In 1950 he married Rita Barrow and they had two sons, Andrew and Declan, and three daughters, Geraldine, Margaret and Carmel. He died on 1 February 2008, aged 90.
562:
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350:, a bronze bust sculpture of Dr O'Regan was unveiled at Shannon Airport to commemorate this milestone on 15 May 2017 (the centenary of the birth) and RTE's
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said that O'Regan was "a true visionary" and "leaves a legacy that permeates throughout all levels of economic, social and cultural life in
Ireland."
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874:"The Irish 'father of duty free' and saviour of Shannon: Brendan O'Regan's eureka moment came in 1950, but his legacy goes beyond cheap booze"
329:, and three restaurants, one at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, another at Shannon Airport and the third at the Old Ground Hotel.
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to promote peace and reconciliation on the island of
Ireland. He also founded the Centre for International Co-operation at Shannon in 1986.
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539:"Brendan O'Regan A quite extraordinary and innovative businessman whose legacy will live on in the success of the Shannon region"
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Plan, he drafted a report that became the blueprint for a vision of
Shannon revolving around tourism, air freight and industry.
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A second, life-size, bronze statue of O'Regan was unveiled beside his birthplace in
Sixmilebridge on Monday 10 July 2023.
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For a period, he was manager of the
Stephen's Green Club in Dublin. In 1943, he was appointed as catering comptroller at
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Several initiatives have been named after him, including the O'Regan Park, a sporting and recreational facility in
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flying boat base, which was a refuelling point for transatlantic seaplanes between
Britain and the United States.
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838:"'One of the most fascinating and influential people of our time' – Businessman Dr Brendan O'Regan honoured"
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277:(CBE) in 1993 for his contribution to peace. He was voted "Clareman of the Year" in 1984 and was made
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In 1961, he was the key driver in the establishment of
Ireland's only regional development agency,
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The success of the airport and industrial zone led to the development, spearheaded by O'Regan, of
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921:"Morning Focus Live From Sixmilebridge Ahead of Dr. Brendan O'Regan Statue Unveiling"
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He received a number of tributes for his work. He was appointed
Commander of the
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by Brian O'Connell with Cian O'Carroll, published by Irish Academic Press, 2018.
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404:"Dr. Brendan O'Regan (1917–2008) Founder of Duty Free Shopping Died, Aged 90"
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Co-operation Ireland - History - Key Dates in Co-operation Ireland's History
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and the UK as his family had interests in hotels (the Old Ground Hotel in
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dedicated a special transmission to his legacy on 27 September 2017. The
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in 1995. He received a number of honorary doctorates including from the
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766:"Iconic Irish rugby moment immortalized in Shannon Airport sculpture"
481:"How it began: O'Regan's innovative dream allowed region to take off"
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The Moodie Report - "From small beginnings… the Shannon story" (PDF)
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published a comprehensive assessment of his life's work in 2018.
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from 1957 to 1973. After a visit to the United States under the
100:(1917–2008) was an Irish businessman responsible for developing
379:"Tributes paid to Clare man who pioneered duty free at Shannon"
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into a tourist attraction with the co-operation of its owner
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561:. University of Limerick. 5 December 2001. Archived from
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Brendan O’Regan: Irish Innovator, Visionary, Peacemaker
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Honorary commanders of the Order of the British Empire
814:"Plans afoot to honour key founder of Shannon Airport"
585:"'Empowering the People' – Brendan O'Regan Exhibition"
895:"Honoring the man behind a global duty-free industry"
185:In 1945, he was appointed catering comptroller at
144:. He studied hotel management in Germany, France,
112:of Ireland. He was involved in promoting peace in
257:In 1978, O'Regan founded Co-Operation North (now
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519:"Founder of duty-free shops and peace activist"
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322:at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum.
314:In 2015, a portrait of O'Regan was unveiled by
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856:"Nationwide to feature Dr Brendan O'Regan"
422:"President praises O'Regan's contribution"
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701:"Tributes to airport duty-free visionary"
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605:"Brendan keeps watch over Foynes museum"
207:Shannon Free Airport Development Company
304:held an exhibition, opened by the then
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742:"Shannon Airport to Honour Key Figure"
687:Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum
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1010:People educated at Blackrock College
625:"O'Regan Park upgrade a step closer"
463:"Shannon: the man behind the vision"
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750:. 19 September 2015. Archived from
195:Shannon College of Hotel Management
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116:and co-operation between the
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963:Shannon Airport - History
901:. RaidiĂł TeilifĂs Éireann
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645:"The O'Regan Restaurant"
443:"Empowering the People"
333:Personal life and death
225:Shannon Town and Region
663:"Brendan O'Regan Room"
295:University of Limerick
253:Peace and co-operation
842:The Irish Independent
683:"Dr. Brendan O'Regan"
293:in 1999 and from the
263:Irish Peace Institute
108:and transforming the
862:. 27 September 2017.
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559:"Dr Brendan O'Regan"
501:"Dr Brendan O'Regan"
352:Nationwide programme
348:Clare County Council
269:Honours and tributes
259:Co-operation Ireland
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754:on 26 January 2016.
547:. 10 February 2008.
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279:Freedom of the City
215:Irish Tourist Board
209:. He developed the
118:Republic of Ireland
794:on 28 January 2016
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431:. 4 February 2008.
410:. 6 February 2008.
408:Irish Examiner USA
387:. 4 February 2008.
300:In February 2007,
882:. 4 October 2018.
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544:Irish Independent
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316:Heather Humphreys
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154:Falls Hotel
146:Switzerland
70:Nationality
38:15 May 1917
984:Categories
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970:(archived)
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569:20 January
365:References
158:Ennistymon
128:Early life
34:1917-05-15
944:Biography
306:Taoiseach
297:in 2001.
239:Lord Gort
48:, Ireland
925:clare.fm
819:Clare FM
747:Clare FM
649:ResDiary
283:Limerick
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132:Born in
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64:England
175:Foynes
164:Career
150:Ennis
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245:and
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