Shannon Departures

This book tells the story of perhaps the most significant social and regional initiative in the history of Ireland. For many Shannon is synonymous only with an airport, but this is only part of a reality which encompasses an extraordinary range of activities, from a customs free industrial estate to the encouragement of domestic crafts; from tourist management to development of local heritage initiatives. The story of Shannon is also one of courage and determination: its stance against political equivocation, indifference and at times outright hostility has established a precedent for regional development elsewhere. And on the human scale, Shannon's story is one of dedicated men and women from widely divergent backgrounds devising imaginative strategies to create new hope and new opportunities for thousands of their contemporaries.
 
This book tells the story of perhaps the most significant social and regional initiative in the history of Ireland. For many Shannon is synonymous only with an airport, but this is only part of a reality which encompasses an extraordinary range of activities, from a customs free industrial estate to the encouragement of domestic crafts; from tourist management to development of local heritage initiatives. The story of Shannon is also one of courage and determination: its stance against political equivocation, indifference and at times outright hostility has established a precedent for regional development elsewhere. And on the human scale, Shannon's story is one of dedicated men and women from widely divergent backgrounds devising imaginative strategies to create new hope and new opportunities for thousands of their contemporaries.