Alongside the airport a new town and a centre for industry has been created at Shannon.
The Shannon region has seen a huge transformation in the past thirty years. Since the of development of the site at Rineanna into Shannon Airport began the area has become one of the showpieces of Ireland.
Since its establishment as the world's first Duty Free airport in 1947, Shannon has had its ups and downs.
Along with the development of the airport came the development of Shannon as a place to live with the emergence of suburban housing and the services that go with it.
But what indeed is the future of Shannon?
Joe Quigley, the general manager of Shannon Development outlines the amount of state investment that has gone into the Shannon Industrial Estate. He explains the benefits of the development, through employment, exports and foreign direct investment.
Franz Wesselink the deputy manager of the Rippen Company a Dutch firm who make pianos talks about the foreign perception of Shannon and the attraction for investors. The Rippen Company is just one of the twenty eight firms now operating in Shannon.
Franz Wesselink outlines why the firm decided to come to Ireland. The availability of labour was a key factor in the decision. Shannon was chosen as the company could import raw materials paying duty and avail of tax advantages and government grants. About Irish labour he says,
We have found that the Irish boy without experience in industry can adapt himself quickly to the circumstances in a factory.
A 'Late Extra' report broadcast on 5 September 1966. The reporter is Joe Fahy. Part of the footage shown here is mute.
