James Horan was born on the 5th of May 1911 in the townland area of Tooreen, in the parish of Partry, Co. Mayo. He was the son of a small farmer and tradesman, and the eldest of 7 children - 4 girls and 3 boys. By the time he had finished primary school in Partry, he had begun to look to the priesthood as a vocation. For this reason, he entered for a scholarship to St. Jarlath's Dioscesan College in Tuam, Co. Galway, which he was successful in winning. In September 1929, he and 6 other fellow students from St. Jarlath's went to Maynooth College to train for the priesthood. He was ordained 7 years later, in 1936 with 71 other students.
As there were no vacancies at home, he took up his first duty in Glasgow, in a parish called Dumbarton, August 1936. During his third and final year in Dumbarton, his parish priest asked him to act as chaplain on the Anchor Liner, 'California'. He was delighted to get the opportunity to go to America and meet all his friends and relations.
When he returned to Dumbarton after the trip, he received a letter from the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Thomas Gilmartin, asking him to return to Ireland. At the end of August 1939, he returned and took up the position as Chaplain to the Franciscan monastery in Ballyglunin.
After only 2 months there he was transferred to Tooreen in the parish of Aghamore as curate. One of the first things he noted about this area was the poor postal facilities, and without delay he was before post - office officials in Dublin's GPO seeking improvements. It could be said that he 'lit up' the parish of Aghamore, because it was he who was responsible for the introduction of electricity to the area. He also pioneered projects such as Group Water Schemes, Afforestation, and even Road Works and Drainage Schemes. He was probably best known at this time as Promoter of 'Tooreen Hall'.
After 14 years he left Tooreen in July 1959 to go to his next parish, Cloonfad. Not long after arriving in Cloonfad, he was busy setting up an Afforestation committee. He also organised drainage schemes which were badly needed in the area due to its' low-lying boggy state.
On Thursday September 12th 1963, Fr. Horan was transferred to Knock Parish as curate, and from 1967 as Parish Priest. He remained here until his untimely death on August 1st 1986. Often referred to as the 'Builder of Knock' he undertook to improve the facilities at Knock for pilgrims and parishioners alike. His main achievements during this time were.
Ireland West Airport are delighted to announce the launch of a major new initiative titled ‘kits4kids’ which will see the airport sponsor local kids clubs teams from across our region with new sports kit and equipment. 2019 saw the competiton promoted in Co. Sligo and Co. Mayo. 2020 will see it launch in other counties in the West and North West.
The initiative was launched at the airport by local kids and local sports stars and campaign ambassadors, Roscommon’s Jack Carty, Connacht Rugby and Ireland player and 2016 Marathon Olympian, Leitrim local, Breege Connolly. This new initiative will see the airport sponsor a full set of sports kit for underage club teams from all types of sports in counties throughout the airports catchment region.
See more here: www.irelandwestairport.com/community
The Ireland West Airport Charity of the Year programme supports up to 6 worthwhile charities in fundraising each year to support the invaluable work they do in their communities.
In 2024 the airport raised a record €46,500 for our six charity partners - ACT for Meningitis, BUMBLEance, Down Syndrome Ireland (Mayo Branch), Irish Red Cross, Mayo Mountain Rescue, and Western Care Association.
This initiative is part of the ongoing support and social responsibility activities that help the airport build bridges with the local community and we look forward to a successful year of fundraising with up to 6 new charities in 2025. If your charity wishes to be considered for our Charity of the Year Programme for 2025 please email [email protected]
The airport works closely with local primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities to help raise awareness about airport careers and inspire our next generation. We regularly support educational visits to the airport to showcase the work that the various airport departments carry out on a daily basis, giving students a behind the scenes look at how a major international airport functions. This provides a valuable insight to help young people planning their own future careers.
Work experience is an increasingly important part of a young persons preparation prior to leaving full time education. Ireland West Airport recognises the valuable role companies such as ourselves can play in providing work experience opportunities. Each year the airport provides a tailored work experience programme for students looking to gain hands on experience of working in an airport environment. Our HR department provides a comprehensive placement programme giving young students hands on experience working alongside staff in key departments at the airport such as air traffic control, ground handling, customer service and our retail and catering outlets and much more.
There are 12 Digital 55 inch Totem Pods located throughout the airport terminal. Digital advertising offers endless possibilities for creativity and flexibility and allows advertisers to display dynamic and targeted campaigns. Advertisers benefit from digital advertising because it offers unparalleled creative flexibility.
The digital sites allow advertisers to marry creative content with cutting-edge technology, delivering ground breaking campaigns that generate major buzz.
To enquire about availability on our Digital Displays please email us at [email protected]
Horan Airport Trust
Ireland West Airport are delighted to announce the launch of a major new initiative titled ‘Kits4Kids’ which will see the airport sponsor local kids clubs teams from across our region with new sports kit and equipment.
Airport staff vote support 6 different Irish charities each year for our annual Charity of The Year programme
The airport works closely with local schools & 3rd level colleges to raise awareness about airport careers and inspire our next generation
James Horan was born on the 5th of May 1911 in the townland area of Tooreen, in the parish of Partry, Co. Mayo. He was the son of a small farmer and tradesman, and the eldest of 7 children - 4 girls and 3 boys. By the time he had finished primary school in Partry, he had begun to look to the priesthood as a vocation. For this reason, he entered for a scholarship to St. Jarlath's Dioscesan College in Tuam, Co. Galway, which he was successful in winning. In September 1929, he and 6 other fellow students from St. Jarlath's went to Maynooth College to train for the priesthood. He was ordained 7 years later, in 1936 with 71 other students.
As there were no vacancies at home, he took up his first duty in Glasgow, in a parish called Dumbarton, August 1936. During his third and final year in Dumbarton, his parish priest asked him to act as chaplain on the Anchor Liner, 'California'. He was delighted to get the opportunity to go to America and meet all his friends and relations.
When he returned to Dumbarton after the trip, he received a letter from the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Thomas Gilmartin, asking him to return to Ireland. At the end of August 1939, he returned and took up the position as Chaplain to the Franciscan monastery in Ballyglunin.
After only 2 months there he was transferred to Tooreen in the parish of Aghamore as curate. One of the first things he noted about this area was the poor postal facilities, and without delay he was before post - office officials in Dublin's GPO seeking improvements. It could be said that he 'lit up' the parish of Aghamore, because it was he who was responsible for the introduction of electricity to the area. He also pioneered projects such as Group Water Schemes, Afforestation, and even Road Works and Drainage Schemes. He was probably best known at this time as Promoter of 'Tooreen Hall'.
After 14 years he left Tooreen in July 1959 to go to his next parish, Cloonfad. Not long after arriving in Cloonfad, he was busy setting up an Afforestation committee. He also organised drainage schemes which were badly needed in the area due to its' low-lying boggy state.
On Thursday September 12th 1963, Fr. Horan was transferred to Knock Parish as curate, and from 1967 as Parish Priest. He remained here until his untimely death on August 1st 1986. Often referred to as the 'Builder of Knock' he undertook to improve the facilities at Knock for pilgrims and parishioners alike. His main achievements during this time were.
Ireland West Airport are delighted to announce the launch of a major new initiative titled ‘kits4kids’ which will see the airport sponsor local kids clubs teams from across our region with new sports kit and equipment. 2019 saw the competiton promoted in Co. Sligo and Co. Mayo. 2020 will see it launch in other counties in the West and North West.
The initiative was launched at the airport by local kids and local sports stars and campaign ambassadors, Roscommon’s Jack Carty, Connacht Rugby and Ireland player and 2016 Marathon Olympian, Leitrim local, Breege Connolly. This new initiative will see the airport sponsor a full set of sports kit for underage club teams from all types of sports in counties throughout the airports catchment region.
See more here: www.irelandwestairport.com/community
The Ireland West Airport Charity of the Year programme supports up to 6 worthwhile charities in fundraising each year to support the invaluable work they do in their communities.
In 2024 the airport raised a record €46,500 for our six charity partners - ACT for Meningitis, BUMBLEance, Down Syndrome Ireland (Mayo Branch), Irish Red Cross, Mayo Mountain Rescue, and Western Care Association.
This initiative is part of the ongoing support and social responsibility activities that help the airport build bridges with the local community and we look forward to a successful year of fundraising with up to 6 new charities in 2025. If your charity wishes to be considered for our Charity of the Year Programme for 2025 please email [email protected]
The airport works closely with local primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities to help raise awareness about airport careers and inspire our next generation. We regularly support educational visits to the airport to showcase the work that the various airport departments carry out on a daily basis, giving students a behind the scenes look at how a major international airport functions. This provides a valuable insight to help young people planning their own future careers.
Work experience is an increasingly important part of a young persons preparation prior to leaving full time education. Ireland West Airport recognises the valuable role companies such as ourselves can play in providing work experience opportunities. Each year the airport provides a tailored work experience programme for students looking to gain hands on experience of working in an airport environment. Our HR department provides a comprehensive placement programme giving young students hands on experience working alongside staff in key departments at the airport such as air traffic control, ground handling, customer service and our retail and catering outlets and much more.
