As the site of the original commercial transatlantic airport, Foynes welcomed the first wave of airline travelers who traveled in planes designed to use the Shannon Estuary as their runway… called flying boats. The 1940s brought a who’s who of the time through Foynes, including John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bob Hope, Humphrey Bogart, as well as royalty and political leaders from around the world.
Foynes has one other distinction that is celebrated even today. It was at the terminal in Foynes where Chef Joe Sheridan soothed a group of storm-weary travelers with a mixture of coffee, cream, and Irish whiskey. The drink became the signature welcome beverage in Foynes and later at Shannon Airport. Sheridan later emigrated to San Francisco where he served his famous Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista.
Actress Maureen O’Hara, whose late husband was a flying boat pilot, has been very involved in the development of the Foynes Flying Boat Museum.
- Official Website: www.flyingboatmuseum.com
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Written by Corey Taratuta
Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website
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