Shannon Airport enjoyed one of its busiest St. Patrick’s Day periods in recent years, with 40,000 passengers going through its doors - a 7% increase compared to 2025 figures.
This week also saw an uplift in UK travel for Cheltenham, taking place from March 10-13. The ever-popular horse racing festival has seen Ryanair operating additional services on its Shannon to Birmingham route to accommodate racegoers heading to and from the event.
Speaking today, Niall Kearns, Airport Director, Shannon Airport said St. Patrick’s Day is always a special time at Shannon Airport, and it traditionally marks the start of the tourism season for many.
"This year’s passenger numbers show the continued confidence of our customers, and follow a strong start to the year, with average passenger growth of 7% across January and February.
"We’re delighted to welcome visitors from the US, UK and Europe as they arrive to enjoy St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the Mid?West and along the Wild Atlantic Way, attending parades and events, and contributing to the wider regional economy.
"It was also a pleasure to look after those travelling to the UK for the Cheltenham Festival, as well as passengers heading abroad for sun holidays and city breaks.
"Our team is looking forward to making everyone’s journey as smooth as possible and offering a warm Irish welcome to passengers passing through the airport in the week ahead.”
To add to the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Shannon Airport’s terminal building once again went green - a long-standing tradition as the airport took part in the Global Greening, joining landmark buildings across the country, and around the world, glowing green at this time of the year.
Passengers travelling this week are encouraged to make the most of their journey by downloading the Shannon Airport app to easily pre-book parking, pin their car location, and get live flight updates at their fingertips. They can also ensure a speedier journey through security by keeping their 100ml liquids and electronics packed in their cabin bags.
Those on outbound flights can also avail of special Mother’s Day and St. Patrick’s weekend promotions in Shannon Duty Free.
