The Memory of Monsignor Horan lives on



Connaught Telegraph 5 June 1996


By TOM GILLESPIE

The late Monsignor James Horan, the inspiration behind Knock International Airport, was a builder with vision.

So said, his old friend former Taoiseach Charles Haughey, after he unveiled a bust of the Knock Parish Priest on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Airport.

It was ten years to the day that Mr. Haughey helicoptered in to perform the ceremony and he was joined by members of the Horan family to mark this milestone in the development of base which saw the one millionth passenger pass through the terminal building last year.

In the first year of operations the passenger numbers were 50,000 but by next year this will have risen to an annual figure of 250,000.

And operating profits are set to soar to an record £400,000 when returns are announced later this month.

The Airport Board consists of Mr. Cathal Duffy, Castlebar (chairman); Mr. John Dillon, Ballyhaunis (deputy-chairman); Mayo County Manager, Mr. Des Mahon; Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary; Monsignor Dominick Grealy, Parish Priest Knock; Ms. Nancy Horan, sister of the late Monsignor and Mr. John Mahon, Charlestown.

There was a sense of great expectation as guests awaited the arrival of Mr. Haughey. There was a media rush to capture pictures of the now retired former Fianna Fail leader.

But Mr. Haughey had not lost any of the charisma which he exuded while in office.

Despite the wet and windy conditions the Haughey faithful were out in force and so too were the loyal supporters of the Airport project.

After unveiling the bronze bust which was executed by sculptor Robin Buick, Mr. Haughey addressed the gathering. Speaking at Knock, Mr. Haughey said "It is entirely fitting that a bust of Monsignor Horan should stand here in the main concourse of Knock Airport as a tribute to its creator. It will remind future generations that this vital regional transport centre would not be in place were it not for the vision, ability and tenacity of one man. It is a symbol of the triumph of vision and idealism over cynicism and defeatism.

"This fine modern international airport in itself represents a worthy monument to Monsignor Horan and we might well say as we assemble here today "Si momumentum requiris circumspice".

"While the focus today is on this International Airport we must also see Monsignor Horan and his life and achievements in a much wider context. He was first and foremost a parish priest and his pastoral mission was all important to him,, it informed his whole approach to everything he did. Whether it was administering the affairs of Knock Shrine or arranging to bring the Pope to Ireland, he wielded enormous influence but his view of his role as a priest was simple and clear. In his memoirs he states:

"Throughout my priestly life my destiny has been completely directed by providence. It was always the will of God and the decision of the Archbishop that decided my fate. As I now look back on life I would not have it otherwise".

Mr. Haughey added "He loved to be among the people as they went about their daily affairs; calling into their houses, talking to them, listening to them. Out of this deep and intimate knowledge of the people of his parish and his county, there grew an increasing conviction that the great need was to improve their economic and social circumstances, followed by a passionate determination to do something about it.

"His incisive mind very quickly identified where one of the greatest impediments to improving the prosperity and quality of life of the people of the West lay.

"He was saw that there could be no real progress without a major and dramatic improvement in access transport for the Western region. He could also see that merely improving the existing land based transport facilities would not be enough and showing that clear insight which distinguishes leadership he identified a regional airport as the key to the future.

"You all know the story from that point onwards - his persistence, shrewdness and determination overcoming inertia, bureaucratic resistance and surprisingly widespread opposition.

"Eventually the vision became a reality. Knock International Airport was completed and formally opened on 30th May 1986. "Today it celebrates a decade of successful operations. There are regular daily services to Dublin, London, Manchester and Birmingham and an increasing charter business. It is expected that next year 250,000 passengers will be handled, representing truly remarkable progress.

"This Airport and the services it provides is making an increasingly important contribution to the social, cultural and economic life of the West. In particular it has helped greatly in strengthening the bonds between the people of Mayo who have stayed at home and those who have either wished or been compelled to emigrate.

"This monument will remind us of many things; the power of an idea, the value of imagination and vision, the need at every level of our nation's affairs for courageous leadership and the great inherent strength that resides in every community waiting to be harnessed.

"Monsignor James Horan was unique. Though one could, in one sense, say that we shall not see his like again, I would prefer to hope that we shall see many more like him in the future because there are still mountains to climb, and room for imaginative projects, to be conceived and achieved.

"Perhaps his greatest legacy to his beloved Connaught and to Ireland will be to serve as an inspiration to many others who will follow him in creating new opportunities in the very exciting but equally challenging era now opening up for the Irish people.

"I would like in concluding to warmly congratulate the sculpture Robin Buick on his fine bronze bust of "a builder with vision" and to thank him for giving us such an excellent monument to the memory of "a simple parish priest; Monsignor James Horan".

The Chairman of the Knock Airport Board, Mr. Cathal Duffy said "Monsignor James Horan had a vision for the people of Mayo and Connaught of an airport that would open up the region to tourism and investment.

"Monsignor Horan was a man of vision. Hr recognised that a region such as the West of Ireland needed strong transportation links. He knew that an International airport in the West would be a catalyst for the development of industry especially tourism."

"To many people Monsignor Horan's task seemed impossible in the early 1980's, but that man never backed away from any challenge. He encountered heavy turbulence on his journey but it was the indomitable spirit of the man that saw him achieve his goal against all the odds.

"Knock Airport was held in Trust for the people of Connaught. They were proud of the achievements to date. In June 1995 the one millionth passenger passed through the terminal building. Traffic is growing at the rate of 18% a year and will reach 250,000 annually by 1997. And the company is a commercial success.

Mr. Duffy continued "It is fitting that we should honour the airport founder on the unveiling of a bronze bust to his memory in the main concourse of the Airport.

"To perform this official ceremony is one of the most outstanding political leaders of this country Mr. Charles J. Haughey. Mr. Haughey has made a unique contribution to Ireland's political, cultural and economic development and it was he who when in government authorised and grant aided the development of the airport, the substantial sum of 10 million pounds.

"Ten years ago today, when addressing a large audience from this platform, Monsignor Horan turned to Charles Haughey and said "by authorising the development of Knock International Airport, you have done more for the people of Connaught than any politician in the last hundred years.

"Mr. Haughey saw Monsignor Horan as a leader, a motivator of the people. He never wavered in his commitment to the Monsignor, and we are delighted that he accepted the invitation of the Horan Family and the Board of Knock International Airport to travel down to Mayo today to perform this ceremony."

LIGHTING THE WAY FOR KNOCK AIRPORT

By TOM GILLESPIE

KNOCK Airport received a birthday gift to mark a decade in business which will eliminate 95 per cent of diversions.

It came from Tourism and Trade Minister Enda Kenny when he told the Airport Board of directors that the Government had approved a £2m package to fund a runway lighting system at the base.

The announcement of the package was the culmination of three days of celebration which saw former Taoiseach Charges Haughey unveil a bronze bust of airport founder Monsignor James Horan.

EU Commissioner Padraig Flynn attended to lay a wreath at the tomb of the Monsignor and then Minister Kenny came bearing the lighting funding approval from his colleague Transport Minister Lowry. His Department will now be seeking ERDF funding for the scheme.

According to Knock Airport Board chairman, Cathal Duffy the base experienced some 40 diversions each year and the provision of the light will virtually eliminate this.

The Connaught Aero Club hosted the Monsignor Horan International Air Rally with participants from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The magnificent cup was won by Donal McEllin of Castlebar Airport accompanied by co-pilot Ward McEllin.

It was presented to the winners by Minister Kenny. The winners had the flying distinction of being just ONE SECOND out in 45-minutes of flying exercises.

Former Taoiseach, Mr. Haughey, who officially opened the airport ten years ago is pictured above by Frank Dolan by the bust of the late Monsignor James Moran which now adorns the main concourse at Knock Airport.



Connaught Telegraph - News - June 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - June 1996