The Duty-Free shop became an immediate success and has been copied worldwide.

In its heyday, the tarmac and terminal welcomed leading Hollywood screen stars and celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly and Yul Brenner.

John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie graced the runway on their historic visit to Ireland to trace their ancestors in June 1963, just five months before his tragic death. And legend has it that the inaugural Irish Coffee, an integral part of the Gaelic gastronomic culture, was first served in the midst of the departure lounge.

Shannon Airport is situated at the most westerly point of the European continent, making it geographically important and the ideal stepping stone between Europe and America. Transatlantic and European flights run throughout the year, direct to cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, as well as to numerous destinations across Europe.