Brendan O'Regan

Brendan O'Regan CBE (1917–2008) was an Irish businessman responsible for developing Shannon Airport, inventing the concept of the duty-free shop and transforming the Shannon region of Ireland. He was deeply involved in promoting peace in Northern Ireland and co-operation between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. He has been described as one of Ireland's most noted peace ambassadors and initiators of commercial and industrial projects. In a tribute to him, President Mary McAleese said that O'Regan was "a true visionary" and "leaves a legacy that permeates throughout all levels of economic, social and cultural life in Ireland."

Born in Sixmilebridge, County Clare in 1917, O'Regan attended Blackrock College. He studied hotel management in Germany, France, Switzerland and the UK as his family had interests in hotels (the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis and the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon).

For a period, he was manager of the prestigious Stephen's Green Club in Dublin. In 1943, he was appointed as Catering Comptroller at Foynes flying boat base, which was a refueling point for transatlantic seaplanes between Britain and the United States.

In 1945 he was appointed Catering Comptroller at Shannon Airport. From this base, he embarked on a series of visionary projects which transformed the Shannon Region, many of which were replicated internationally. In 1947 he invented the concept of the airport duty-free shop and established the world's first duty-free shop at Shannon Airport. In 1951 he established the Shannon College of Hotel Management.

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