If Monsignor James Horan, parish priest of Knock from 1967 to 1986, were alive today, he would be delighted to see his dream being realised with the success Ireland West Airport. The airport received considerable publicity on April 14, 2023, when President Joe Biden arrived and departed from there on his visit to County Mayo.  The airport also welcomed two pontiffs, John Paul 11 on September 30, 1979 and Pope Francis on August 26, 2018.  It is going from strength and strength and expects to carry about 850,000 passengers in 2023.

          Overcoming numerous obstacles, the airport was built after a long and controversial campaign under the leadership of Monsignor James Horan, on schedule and within budget.  James Horan was born on  May 5, 1911 in the townland of Tooreen in Partry, County Mayo, the son of Bartley and Catherine Horan, née Casey.  After his education at Partry National School, St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, he was ordained in 1936.  After serving for a number of years in the diocese of Glasgow, he returned to his native diocese of Tuam and worked in Ballyglunin, Tiernea and Lettermullen in County Galway, and Tooreen, County Mayo (where he built a popular dancehall), Cloonfad, County Galway, before his appointment to Knock in 1963, first as curate and parish priest in 1967.  In co-operation with Mayo County Council, he had a development plan prepared for the village, which was implemented over the following years.  His big achievement there was the erection of the new church in 1976, which was later designated the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland.  He also oversaw the refurbishment of the Shrine of the 1879 Apparition Gable, the building of hostels for the sick, St Joseph’s Rest Home for residential invalids, a Rest and Care facility, a new confessional chapel, a processional square, and a museum.  His work also ensured that the area around the shrine was landscaped and generous provision made for car parking, as well as arranging for Mayo County Council to make huge improvements in the local village.

           Father James Horan asked the Irish hierarchy to invite Pope John Paul II to visit Knock for the centenary of the apparition, and had the pleasure in welcoming the Pope to Knock Shrine on September  30, 1979. The Pope said in his homily that day: ‘Here I am at the goal of my journey to Ireland, the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock’.  The Pope elevated the new church in Knock to the status of a basilica and promoted James Horan to the rank of Monsignor. Monsignor James Horan, who was chosen as Mayo Person of the Year in 1984, died suddenly on  August1, 1986 on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.  He was buried four days later beside Knock Basilica.         

           Monsignor Horan was totally committed to the development of the west of Ireland and his big project was the erection of an international airport, with the help of a small group of committed friends. They moved quickly to secure an option on about hectares of land from 27 local farmers.   After approval of the project, a new government, facing a crisis in national finances, withdrew support after a commitment of £9.6m. Monsignor Horan and his supporters had to overcome numerous obstacles, and raised nearly four million pounds in private subscriptions in the west of Ireland, the USA and Australia to complete the airport.  This was a huge undertaking by a small group of people on a voluntary basis. However, after Trojan work, the airport was completed and officially opened by Charles J Haughey on Friday May 30, 1986.    The story of the origin and building of the airport as well as the people involved is told by Terry Reilly in his book On a Wing and a Prayer: the Story of Knock Airport, now known as Ireland Airport Knock (2006).  It also inspired a song by Christy Moore, and a musical, On a Wing and a Prayer, directed by Tommy Marren of MidWest Radio in collaboration with Terry Reilly in 2010.

       Situated 5.6km SW of Charlestown and 20km from Knock, Ireland West Airport Knock is an international airport and the gateway to the west, north–west and midlands regions of Ireland. It was first used on October 25, 1985, for three Aer Lingus charter flights to Rome. In 2006, its name was re-branded to Ireland-West Airport, Knock. Passengers like the convenience, value, parking facilities and hassle-free nature of using Ireland West Airport Knock. It is a major amenity for the west and midlands of Ireland, and recent growth, after a very severe recession and COVID-19, is very impressive. (www.irelandwestairport.com )