This article is from page 8 of the 2012-01-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
SHANNON had its moment in the international limelight on January 25, 1981, when 52 American hostages, freed after 444 days in captivity in Iran, were given a rousing welcome as they stopped at the airport.
Taoiseach Charles Haughey led the Irish celebrations, boarding the US Air Force Jet, dubbed Freedom One, with US ambassador, William Shannon, and invited the freed hostages down to the airport’s VIP lounge for traditional Irish refreshments of Irish coffee and Guinness.
The official welcoming party included Clare’s Minister for Defence, Sylvester Barrett; Clare County Council chairman, Tadhg Mac Conamara; local Fianna Fáil senator, Tras Honan; Aer Rianta chief, Liam Skelly and chief superintendent of the Clare Division, Michael Griffin.
As the former hostages left Shannon, the final word was left to Taoiseach Charles Haughey. “As you journey gladly homeward, your stay on Irish soil must be brief but it gives me an opportunity to tell you of the joy we all feel in this country that you are all safe, well and free,” said Mr Haughey.
“It is our sincere and fervent wish that when you are restored to your families and friends, the cruel memory of your long days in captivity will soon fade away until they are finally forgotten,” he added.