Shannon

In 1946 commercial transatlantic flights re-started after the war, but aircraft range was limited and they faced stiff headwinds going west. Airports were therefore needed as far east as possible in North America, e.g. at Gander in Newfoundland, and as far west as possible in Europe, e.g. at Prestwick in Scotland and Shannon in Ireland. This was also important for military flights, and the airports were equipped with very long runways to handle the largest aircraft; they became hubs of local industry. From the 1950s aircraft speed, range and capacity extended, notably with the Boeing 707, and it was foreseen that these airports would be bypassed once Europe to USA non-stop flight became routine. The response here was to create Shannon Free Zone as a duty-free port and industrial zone. Shannon town itself was built in the 1960s to serve the airport and industrial park, but like other "New Towns" of that era, it was ugly and in parts shoddy. Over the following years its fortunes rose and fell along with the Irish economy, booming during the "Celtic Tiger" years of the 1990s, slumping when the dot.com, property and banking bubbles burst. In the 21st century budget leisure flights greatly expanded (Dublin airport benefited even more). So while Shannon is still a springboard to North America, it's nowadays more a portal for tourism into the scenic west of Ireland.

Shannon's other attraction for aviation is that it's virtually free of fog and snow, with mild sou'westerly winds off the Atlantic. Winter lows are 3-8°C with summer highs seldom much over 20°C. There is rain a-plenty in summer, even more rain in winter, and incessant rain if you venture out without a raincoat.

The town is all walkable, but it's nondescript and industrial. Bus 343 winds around the houses and industrial parks en route from Limerick to Ennis.

There are bike racks at the airport, but no bike hire facilities locally.

• 🌍 Atlantic Air Adventures, Shannon Road, Smithstown, ☏ +353 61 363687, info@atlanticairadventures.com. Apr-Oct daily 11:00-16:30, Nov-Mar Sa 11:00-16:00. Aviation museum with 7 light aircraft and cockpits of 6 larger planes. The Boeing 737 simulator (Saturday only) needs to be booked. They also offer try-flights and lessons. Adult €8, child €6. (updated Apr 2020)
• See 🌍 Bunratty for the Castle, Folk Park outdoor museum, and medieval banquets.
• 🌍 Foynes on the south bank of the estuary shows another aspect of Shannon's aviation history. From 1937 Foynes was the base for commercial transatlantic flying boats: this is how Sinatra, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara stepped down into Ireland to the pop of flash-cameras. It operated until 1946, by which time Shannon airport had developed on its present site, and wheeled land aircraft flew faster and further than flying boats.

• 🌍 Shannon Golf Club, Shannon Airport House, Shannon Industrial Estate, ☏ +353 61 471 849, info@shannongolfclub.ie. Open all daylight hours. Parkland course on the estuary banks, 18 holes of 6,763 yd (6,184 m), par 72. Round M-F €40, Sa Su €50. (updated Apr 2020)
• 🌍 Shannon Leisure Centre, Bothar Linne, Tullyglass, Shannon, ☏ +353 61 361 841, info@shannonleisurecentre.ie. M-Th 06:00-22:00, F 06:00-21:00, Sa Su 08:00-18:00. Facilities include fitness classes, gym, climbing wall, dance studio, playground, swimming pool, sauna & steam room. (updated Apr 2020)
• If you can't get to Limerick's Thomond Park for a pro game, then watch rugby at 🌍 St Senans RFC, Tullyvarraga, Shannon, ☏ +353 87 250 5555. They play rugby union in Munster Junior League Division Two, the sixth tier of the game in Ireland. (updated Apr 2020)
• 🌍 Tullyvarraga Point is a grassy area for strolling by the estuary just south of town.

• 🌍 Lidl (In town centre). M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-18:00. The main store. (updated Oct 2023)

Shannon's own restaurants are clustered around Skycourt Shopping Centre or along R471 the old main street towards Bunratty and Limerick.

See also Bunratty 5 km east, which has lots of good eating places. Noel's within Bunratty Manor Hotel is the standout.

• See also Bunratty, only 5 km east. You might also stay in Limerick (eg the Radisson, west edge of the city) or in Newmarket-on-Fergus or Ennis.
• 🌍 Park Inn by Radisson Shannon Airport, Shannon Airport, ☏ +353 61 471122. Functional mid-range hotel barely 100 m from the airport terminal. They may have deals on long-stay parking. Double (room only) €80. (updated Apr 2020)
• 🌍 Hillside and 🌍 Lohan's are two small B&Bs in town 1.5 km from the airport.
• 🌍 Treacys Oakwood Hotel, Shannon Town Roundabout, Smithstown (2 km north of airport), ☏ +353 61 361 500, fax: +353 61 361 414, reservations@thshannon.com. Modern hotel with fast WiFi, free (though limited) parking, and breakfast available from 05:00. B&B double €110. (updated Apr 2020)
• Shannon Springs is a modern hotel 500 m east of Treaceys. Decent accommodation but you mostly come for Old Lodge Gastropub, see "Eat".

Shannon has a good mobile and 4G signal from all Irish carriers. As of Oct 2020, 5G from Eir has reached the town but not the airport.

• North and west into County Clare is the reason you're here: head for the wild Atlantic coast at Mizzen Head and follow it by Cliffs of Moher and the Burren towards Galway.
• Ennis just north is a pleasant market town. Its countryside is dotted with ruined abbeys; probably the ruined abbots are propping up the local bars.
• Limerick to the east is an interesting Georgian city with a castle.