Tommy Graham, editor, History Ireland (centre) attending the Hedge School on the life and legacy of Brendan O’Regan at the Shannon College of Hotel Management with (from left): Brian O’Connell, co-author of Brendan O’ Regan – Irish Innovator, Visionary & Peacemaker; Professor Frank Barry, Chair-Intl. Business & Development, Trinity Business School; Adrian Sylver, Head of School, Shannon College of Hotel Management; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Vincent Delaney and Tim Crowe, Sixmilebridge Historical Society; Tracy Hegarty, Deputy Head of School, Shannon College of Hotel Management; Una Bromell, historian and tutor, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; and Andrew O’ Regan, son of Dr Brendan O’Regan. Photograph by Eamon Ward

Another historic event, held in Shannon on Saturday, 13 April has added to the already impressive list of ‘Firsts’ for Shannon. Organised by the Sixmilebridge Historical Society in collaboration with Shannon Chamber, the History Ireland Hedge School on the life and legacy of Brendan O’Regan drew an audience of current and past leaders from the world of business, hospitality, aviation, education and tourism, members of the O’Regan family and the sculpture, Seamus Connolly whose life-sized statue of Brendan O’Regan is sited in the Square in Sixmilebridge.

Panellists at the Hedge School, which was held in the Shannon College of Hotel Management, included former diplomat Sean Donlon, Andrew O’ Regan, son of Dr Brendan O’Regan, Brian O’Connell, co-author of Brendan O’ Regan – Irish Innovator, Visionary & Peacemaker, Una Bromell, historian and tutor, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and Professor Frank Barry, Chair-Intl. Business & Development, Trinity Business School.

Robust discussion was held on issues as diverse as the seeds of entrepreneurship in the O’Regan family, the history of Irish coffee, the establishment of Shannon Free Zone, the growth of manufacturing in Ireland, the creation of the first duty free shop in Shannon, which had been instrumental in the development of today’s  global €80 billion duty free industry, which provides millions of jobs and can be traced back to Brendan O’Regan. 

The discussion was facilitated by Tommy Graham, editor of History Ireland. The Hedge School was run as a recorded live event and the podcast will be broadcast and available on the History Ireland’s website (www.historyireland.com) in the coming weeks.

Welcoming guests to the event, organised to commemorate the life and work of a great visionary innovator, motivator and peacemaker, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said that it was ironic that the day’s celebrations commenced in the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, Shannon Airport, given that the Shannon College of Hotel Management first opened its doors to students in the basement of the building.

Speaking at the luncheon held in the hotel ahead of the Hedge School, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Joe Cooney said: “Goodness and fulfilment in life is not only to leave a legacy that stands the test of time but to have one that grows with time. Brendan O’Regan’s legacy is doing just that. He was a visionary. The life he lived could only be lived through sacrifice and he was willing to make that sacrifice for the greater good of the people of the Mid-West.”

Sixmilebridge Historical Society chair, Tim Crowe, stating that Brendan O’Regan has been forgotten in Irish history said that the Society is anxious to rectify this unforgettable omission and is doing so in a number of ways.

“We presented a framed photo of Brendan O’Regan to thirteen national schools in Co. Clare and worked with the sixth-class teachers in these schools to introduce a module on the legacy of Brendan O’Regan. Each school held a quiz on his life and times and the winning 4-student team from the thirteen schools will compete for the Brendan O’ Regan perpetual trophy in the final to be held in Sixmilebridge on Thursday, 16 April. The trophy has been sponsored by the sculptor, Seamus Connolly. The competition will be extended to twenty-five schools in the Mid-West in 2025.

“We are also working with the Department of Education to have Brendan O’Regan, as a personality, included in Leaving Certificate history,” he added.

Reflecting on his linkages with Brendan, former head of the Shannon College of Hotel Management, Dr Phillip Smyth described him as a supportive, charismatic, and fantastic leader, who became more spiritual and philosophical in his later years, strongly believing that tourism is a global force for peace.”

The current head of School, Adrian Sylver, welcoming and thanking History Ireland for hosting the Hedge School in the College of Hotel Management, said: “History Ireland has been in circulation since 1993 and over the years has gone from strength to strength with coverage of a wide variety of topics from earlier times to present day. The College is delighted to host a Hedge School in honour of the remarkable Dr Brendan O’Regan and his invaluable contributions to our region.

“Dr Brendan O’Regan was not just a man of his time; he was a man ahead of it. His foresight and determination have left an indelible mark on our community and beyond. His recognition that Ireland had a great opportunity to participate in the new industry of international tourism and that well-managed hotels in Ireland were essential.

“Brendan O Regan’s vision for Shannon College of Hotel Management was simple yet profound: to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the hospitality industry, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to excel in a rapidly changing world. 73 years later this is still our mission,” he added.

History Ireland’s Hedge Schools provide a novel and interesting way to bring historical topics to life. The format in Shannon was a seventy-five-minute discussion involving four speakers – each expert on an aspect of Dr Brendan O’Regan’s vision and achievements and their ongoing impact on the economic, social and cultural life of the region.

Councillor Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, attending the History Ireland Hedge School on the life and legacy of Brendan O’Regan, organised by Sixmilebridge Historical Society and Shannon Chamber, with (from left): Tim Crowe, chair, Sixmilebridge Historical Society; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; and Dr Phillip Smyth, former Head of School, Shannon College of Hotel Management. Photograph by Eamon Ward