On Monday 25th September 2006, Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny T.D. visited Ireland West Airport Knock to launch a new book based on the airport’s fascinating history. ‘On a Wing and a Prayer’ is written by Mr. Terry Reilly, who developed a deep interest and appreciation for Monsignor Horan and the airport’s development through his many years acting as former editor of the Western People. From the many interviews that Terry has conducted over the airport’s intriguing twenty year history, the book gives an independent view on what really happened from the very beginning of an extraordinary undertaking.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the author spoke of his admiration for the foresight and tenacity applied by Monsignor Horan and his team to succeeding in making the airport a reality. “Monsignor James Horan and his team’s resilience overcame all obstacles to provide the region with its finest piece of infrastructure.”

In his address, Mr. Enda Kenny congratulated Terry Reilly on his magnificent achievement and good read stating that the new book is an independent view of “a social and political history of the time.”
Liam Scollan, Managing Director of Ireland West Airport Knock also spoke at the launch ceremony by saying: “This is a masterfully written, intriguing story, hugely enriched by Terry Reilly’s ability to show the many characters, incidents, rivalries and battles that were fought to create Ireland West Airport Knock. It is more than a story about an airport. It is a gripping description of the highly charged political landscape of the 80s and 90s, of how a project in the west of Ireland battled against the cynicism of the opinion leaders in the East. It’s a story of a group of people who pulled off a major coup with skill, panache and no little humour in the topsy turvy world of public policy decision making in Ireland then and continue to do so now. We are all indebted to Terry for this entertaining record of one of the great achievements by and for local people anywhere in Ireland.”

The book is published in hardback by Yew Plain Publishing priced at €23.99. It is available at Ireland West Airport Knock’s Travel Retail Shop and in other leading book stores. If readers would like to receive a signed copy, Terry Reilly can be contacted directly at [email protected] Terry will also be available for a book signing in Easons, Ballina, Co. Mayo on Thursday 28th September 2006 at 6.30pm.Readers are also invited to log onto Terry`s website www.historyofknockairport.com

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