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| Dr Brendan O’Regan Hear our industry’s founder talk about the Shannon Airport years 1950-1958, and the early days of duty free – with thanks to Shannon Development |
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IRELAND. Dr Brendan O’Regan, “the father of the industry”, as he was described by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin, is to be laid to rest in his native Ireland next Monday. As reported, Dr O’Regan who created the first airport duty free shop, in Shannon, Ireland, in 1947, passed away peacefully on 2 February surrounded by his family.
We have been asked to issue the following notice by his family, and by his long-time assistant Pauline Taylor.
FUNERAL NOTICE
O’Regan, Brendan, February 2, 2008, mourned by his children Carmel, Declan, Geraldine, Margaret and Andrew, his sisters Jennie Keane and Patricia (Josette) O’Regan Brown, his sons- and daughters-in-law, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and by his relatives and many friends.
Re-united with his beloved wife, Rita. Arriving via Sixmilebridge directly to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Newmarket-on-Fergus, on Sunday, February 10, at 3.00p.m. to repose until 5.30p.m.
Removal to the Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Ennis, to arrive for 6.30p.m. Funeral mass at the Cathedral, 12 noon, Monday, February 11. Burial at Drumcliffe Cemetery, Ennis. If desired, donations in lieu of flowers to St. Vincent de Paul, Ennis.
| Dr Brendan O’Regan’s universal gesture |
| “If you’re involved in developing an important idea, you have to let it possess you. If you keep knocking on the door, the door will open” – Dr Brendan O’Regan |
| More on The Moodie Blog |
Meanwhile tributes have poured in for the man whose vision spawned the global travel retail industry. Dr O’Regan founded the world’s first airport duty free shop at Shannon Airport, West Ireland, in 1947 and went on to become a hugely influential figure in Ireland’s commercial, aviation and business development and also a driving force for peace in that country and around the world.
Aer Rianta International Director-General Eamon Foley told The Moodie Report: “Brendan”¦ had a unique ability to win support for his vision and dreams using his infectious passion and focus. He will always be remembered as a visionary who really did make a difference.”
IAADFS Executive Director Michael Payne said: “Dr O’Regan represented the very best of everything Irish. He was perhaps that country’s finest ambassador. Ireland and the world is better off because of his contributions and love of life.”
Rakhita Jayawardena, past President of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association and Founder of Centaur Travel Retail, wrote to us suggesting that Shannon Airport should be renamed in the great man’s memory.
“May I humbly make a suggestion that Shanon Airport be named after this visionary, O’Regan Airport, Shannon?” Jayawardena wrote. “This would be a fitting tribute to a outstanding individual who we would want always to be remembered, for his pioneering efforts to the duty free industry?
Tributes can be made or viewed via The Moodie Forum and are being collated and forwarded to Dr O’Regan’s family.
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Images from February 2007 when Dr O’Regan’s life and times were honoured at an exhibition in Ennis, Ireland. (Left) Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (left) with Dr O’Regan (centre) and the Mayor of Clare Flan Garvey; (Right) Dr O’Regan: ‘A man for the “˜big idea’; a man of vision and of peace | |
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Left: Dr O’Regan with close friend Breeda McLoughlin, wife of Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin who described him as ‘the Father of the industry’; and (right) with The Moodie Report Deputy Publisher Dermot Davitt | |
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