The Shannon Airport Aviation Gallery, situated in the Ireland airport’s terminal building, is a magnificent exhibition of diecast model aircraft, open to the general public.
This is the world’s largest private collection of diecast model aircraft and offers a captivating journey through the evolution of aviation, showcasing an unparalleled collection, meticulously amassed over many years by Limerick man, Mike Kelly, 72 years old.
The first installation at the Shannon Airport Aviation Gallery opened in 2018 and houses over 1,500 model aircraft in the Departures Lounge.
This collection makes the Shannon Airport a fascinating place for aviation enthusiasts.
The second installment of the permanent exhibition officially opened at Shannon Airport on 31 August 2023.
Shannon Airport Aviation Gallery: From Early Pioneers of Aviation to Iconic Planes
The Aviation Gallery at Shannon Airport is suitable for visitors of all ages.
The collection honours the ingenuity and progress of the aviation industry and features diecast models that showcase the early pioneers of aviation to the iconic planes that shaped commercial travel,
The second instalment of the exhibition showcases over 900 model aircraft and an array of aircraft types from every corner of the world, dating back to the 1930s and extending to the present day.
The attraction is a testament to the lifelong passion and endless enthusiasm for all things aviation of Mike Kelly, who has cherished his love for Shannon Airport since his childhood in the late 1950s.
Mike’s dedication to collecting these model aircraft, many of which are exceedingly rare, has resulted in a breathtaking display that is sure to captivate the hearts of the general public and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
Among the impressive models on display are the full collection of Concordes, a complete fleet of VC 10’s, the legendary Sunderland aircraft once owned by Al Capone, and the Super Trailer Limited, the oldest aircraft replicated in the collection.
In addition, the gallery also features the full collection of Ryanair and Aer Lingus aircraft, alongside the iconic Antonov 225 carrying the space shuttle – a testament to Shannon Airport’s historic designation as an alternate landing strip for the US Space Shuttle, thanks to its long runway.
Shannon Airport Aviation Gallery: Collection of Diecast Model Aircraft
Speaking at the opening of the second installation, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, expressed her excitement about the new exhibition saying, “Mike, through his determination and love of aviation, has managed to amass the largest private collection of model diecast aircraft in the world. It was important to all our employees to make the permanent collection free to view and accessible for the public to enjoy.
“Aviation is in our DNA at Shannon and we were inspired by the positive response we got from our airside model aircraft exhibition which we opened in 2018. This second installment of the collection is a fascinating journey through the evolution of aviation. It is a way of preserving a rich aviation heritage and is in keeping with an airport that has probably broken more frontiers than any other of its size in the world.”
Mike Kelly, the collector extraordinaire, shared his profound love for Shannon Airport and his passion for the model aircraft on display, saying, “Shannon Airport holds a special place in my heart. As a young boy, watching planes take off and land ignited my fascination with aviation, and that passion has never waned. I am incredibly grateful to Shannon Airport for helping me share this extraordinary collection with the world. Many of these model aircraft are extremely rare and hold a wealth of history and significance. It is a dream come true to see them on display here at Shannon Airport.”
The first exhibition at the Shannon Airport was unveiled in 2018. The Aviation Gallery drew famous visitors. Amongst them was Hollywood icon and aviation enthusiast John Travolta, who is a regular visitor to Shannon Airport in Ireland.
Shannon Airport first opened in 1945 and has grown over the years, serving the people living in the Shannon region of Ireland and along the West Coast. It is 24 kilometers north of Limerick city and 90 kilometers south of Galway. Every year, 1.7 million passengers make use of Shannon Airport. It is the most westerly airport in Europe and has the longest runway in Ireland.
The Aviation Gallery further enhances Shannon Airport’s reputation and exemplifies its constant focus on making it an easy and enjoyable experience for passengers and visitors alike.
You can find out more at the Shannon Airport website.
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