News Archive

Huge crowd attend Ireland West Airport Knock Open Evening

Huge crowds descended on Ireland West Airport Knock on Friday 13th August 2010 as the airport opened its doors to the public holding Europes first ever ‘Airport Open Evening’.

The attendance on the evening exceeded all expectations with queues forming as early as 6pm with eager shoppers looking to snap up bargains in the retail shop.  Visitors to the airport were entertained by a puppet show and face painting throughout the evening performed by the ‘Kids Party Club’ which proved hugely popular with the kids.  The Airport fire engines were on display and these also proved very popular with both adults and kids alike taking the opportunity to sound the ‘horns’ and operate the ‘fire hoses’.

On the night tours of the air traffic control tour were in huge demand, again exceeding all expectations and unfortunately on the evening the airport acknowledges that many people were unable to experience the tour due to it being booked out from an early stage.  Over 150 bookings were taken on the evening and unfortunately it was not possible to facilitate anymore tours on the evening. 

The airport would like to assure all those disappointed at missing out on the tour that we will be running another 'open evening, towards the end of November in the build up to Christmas and we will be taking bookings in advance for the 'tower tours' in the coming weeks to ensure everyone who missed out will get the opportunity to come along and see the tower – details will be announced in the next two weeks on how to book these tours in advance.

On the evening shoppers were able to choose from some of the best brands at great prices with discounts of up to 40% off downtown prices available on the evening with aftershave, perfume, skincare and make-up proving hugely popular with excited shoppers.

Shoppers on the evening also were treated to some great prizes with Pat Redding from Swinford walking away with a Holiday for 2 to Lanzarote which was announced live on Mid West Radio.  Other prizes given away on the evening included two tickets to Man United V Chelsea and 2 return flights to Reus-Barcelona with Ryanair.

Speaking about the open evening Joe Gilmore, managing director, Ireland West Airport Knock said ‘We would like to thank all the people who came out and supported our open evening, the crowds on the night exceeded our expectations and we were amazed that close to 2,000 people came down to the airport. We were delighted with the response and that people enjoyed the events on the evening and walked away with some great bargains from our retail shop.  We appreciate that due to the huge demand for tours to the air traffic control tower that some people were left disappointed but I can assure people we have taken on board all feedback from the evening and plan to run a bigger and improved event in the run up to Christmas offering people in the region the opportunity to stock up on Christmas presents and enjoy a Christmas themed evening for all the family.

Details of the next 'airport open evening' will be announced in the next two weeks.