Limerick City and County Council met with the Foynes Air show Committee this morning to discuss the decision of the IAA to withdraw its sponsorship of the event for 2019 and the impact this is having on the West Limerick economy.
Search on for headline sponsor for Foynes Air Show 2020
The meeting took place in the Council offices in Dooradoyle with Mayor James Collins, Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Adare-Rathkeale, Cllr Adam Teskey and Director of Social Development Gordon Daly, meeting with Margaret O’Shaughnessy and Brian Cullen of the Foynes Air Show.
It was agreed that there is not sufficient time between now and the summer to organise a quality air show for Foynes, but the search is now on to secure a headline sponsor or a group of sponsors so that the Foynes Air Show can return in 2020, on a sound financial footing and with plans in place for the future development of the event.
In the absence of this year’s air show, a special event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the first commercial passenger flight to Foynes and the 30th anniversary of the official opening of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum will be held in early July.
All council funding which had been allocated to the air show will now be allocated to the commemoration of both anniversaries during the summer.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr James Collins said: “While it is most disappointing that the air show is not taking place this year, I’m glad that plans are being drawn up to help secure a sponsor for future years. It is important that Foynes remains at the heart of aviation history in Ireland.”
Margaret O’Shaughnessy from the Foynes Air Show Committee said: “This morning’s meeting was very thorough and constructive and we were delighted the council facilitated it. We were disappointed with the loss of our major sponsor, but following the meeting we are going to renew our efforts to secure funding for the event next year.”
“The event has been a huge success for Foynes and businesses have counted on it over the past number of years. We want that success again and we want to be able to grow the festival.”
Gordon Daly, Director of Social Development with Limerick City and County Council said: “The air show is very important for building the profile of Foynes on the Wild Atlantic Way and Limerick City and County Council will assist the Air Show Committee in aiming to secure a major sponsor for 2020 and beyond. The funding of €20,000 that was committed for this year by the Council will now be allocated to the summer celebration of the arrival of the first commercial passenger flight and the official opening of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum and we look forward to this important event.”