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The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan and the Cathaoirleach, Municipal District Cappamore-Kilmallock, Cllr. Martin Ryan, with Ben Whelan, chair of the Shannon Aerospace 35-year anniversary committee (centre), representatives of the five charities being supported by the fundraising, and representatives from Atlantic Aviation Group and Shannon Chamber at the launch of the celebratory fundraising event, which will take place on 28 March. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Initial sponsorship target of €100,000 currently stands at €160,000 

Thirty-five years on from the establishment of Shannon Aerospace, and with many of the 3,000 employees who passed through the doors of the company in its lifetime scattered around the globe, a committee was assembled of current and former employees to endeavour to raise at least €100,000 for the selected local charities – Bunratty Marine Search and Rescue, Limerick Suicide Watch, Milford Care Centre, Pieta House and Shannon Aviation Museum .

A reunion evening will be held in the Strand Hotel in Limerick on Friday, 28 March and will see over 400 colleagues and sponsors reunite. James Sexton will host the event including a four-course meal, interactive entertainment and live music from Spring Break.

“Our aim is to celebrate the anniversary with colleagues, past and present, whilst also raising significant funding for these amazing local charities” stated Ben Whelan, Chair of the Committee, launching the event in Atlantic Aviation Group today (Friday, 7 March 2025)

The idea of the company, which was set up in 1990, came from Tony Ryan and the GPA Group, who convinced Lufthansa and Swissair to set up an aircraft maintenance facility in Shannon to create 1,075 jobs. It was the largest project of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland. The company is now under Irish ownership of the Atlantic Aviation Group.

Employees are invited to register via Linkedin or contact any member of the committee which comprises:

Ben Whelan, Shannon Technical Services; Brian Stapleton, Formidion; Dave Chaplin, Atlantic Aviation Group; Declan O’Brien, Eirtech Aviation; Denise Mangan-Fahy, AerCap; Tom Behan, Macquarie; Des Egan, Falko; Ed Coughlan, Sirius Aviation; Eoghan O’Driscoll, JLPS; John Drysdale, Shannon Airport Group; Brian Power, NAC; Tony Kennedy, Avolon; Karl Griffin, Genesis; Les Walsh, Deucalion, Pat Foley, Lufthansa Technik, Pat Shine, former CEO, Shannon Aerospace; Paul Dillon, Abelo; Shane Markham, Shannon Technical Services; and Marie Kennedy, Atlantic Aviation Group.

Commenting on this fundraiser, Mary Elliot, Bunratty Search and Rescue said: “We are reliant on donations to keep our service running. We have ongoing costs, like the upkeep of boats and equipment and staff training. Every year we like to earmark a specific project that needs doing. This year, we are planning to repair and update our boathouse. Since the boathouse was built and opened in the 1980s, we have been carrying out general maintenance and repairs, but we now need to refurbish the entire building. The donation we will receive from current and former Shannon Aeospace employees will go a long way to achieving this. We are truly grateful for this amazing gesture.”

Speaking at the launch, Anne Marie Hayes, fundraising manager at Milford Care Centre, said: “We are delighted to be part of Shannon Aerospace’s 35-year reunion celebration. We are truly grateful to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this special occasion, which not only recognises decades of employment and contribution to the Mid-West region but also highlights the generosity of its employees. Funds received from this event will go towards Milford Care Centre, a facility dedicated to providing exceptional, person-centred care whenever its required. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Shannon Aerospace’s (Atlantic Aviation Group) past and present employees for their continued support.”

Shannon Aviation Museum’s Jane Magill added: “We are honoured to be nominated as one of the beneficiaries of this historic event. Shannon Aerospace and the generations of highly skilled people it has produced, has made a significant impact on the aviation sector not only across Ireland, but globally. Shannon Aviation Museum (SAM) is a unique environment where young people have the opportunity to be involved, to learn more and to connect with others who share their passion. SAM is a vital pillar, encouraging the next generation and developing a pipeline back into the industry, SAM contributes to the future skills pool through its inspirational aviation education programmes which are delivered by passionate aviation professionals, many of them were trained by SAL they are happy to give back to the industry that has given them a truly dynamic and fulfilling career. The donation received is very much appreciated and will make a significant impact on our organisation by going towards co-funding grant aid to extend our building. This investment in our infrastructure will benefit many future generations and help to inspire them to discover the wonderful opportunities for life-long careers that aviation offers.”

Audrey Ellis, PRO, Limerick Suicide Watch (LSW), commented: “We are extremely grateful for this sizeable donation. It will be used to facilitate training, patrol gear and life-saving equipment i.e. hoverarks. Limerick Suicide Watch is totally public funded, and we rely on the public, and companies, like Shannon Aerospace, supporting LSW and keeping us as a group to patrol the banks and bridges of Limerick city. On behalf of LSW, I would like to thank Shannon Aerospace members and friends who contributed to this.”

John Dempsey at Pieta House said: “Pieta receives over 85% of its funding from donations and fundraising events, so the support from the Shannon Aerospace 35-year anniversary is amazing and much appreciated. It will help us deliver hope to so many that reach out in suicidal crisis, who are self-harming or have been bereaved by suicide. On behalf of Pieta and our clients, our sincerest thanks to all associated with Shannon Aerospace 35-year’s event, and we wish them the very best ahead of their reunion on March 28th.”

The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan and the Cathaoirleach, Municipal District Cappamore-Kilmallock, Cllr. Martin Ryan, with Ben Whelan, chair of the Shannon Aerospace 35-year anniversary committee (centre), representatives of the five charities being supported by the fundraising, the organising committee, and representatives from Atlantic Aviation Group and Shannon Chamber at the launch of the celebratory fundraising event, which will take place on 28 March. Photograph by Eamon Ward