Roscommon woman is Ryanair's 10 millionth passenger at Ireland West Airport

A Roscommon woman this week became the 10 millionth passenger to travel with Ryanair at Ireland West Airport in Knock.

Grainne Rushe, from Boyle, was travelling to Lanzarote with her partner Tadhg McKenna when she was announced as the lucky 10 millionth passenger to travel with Ryanair to or from the airport.

To mark the occasion, Grainne and Tadhg were presented with a pair of return flights with Ryanair, a bottle of Champagne, and chocolates.

Ryanair's first flight from what was then known as Knock Airport took place almost 37 years ago, on December 16, 1986, with London Luton the destination.

Coincidentally, the passengers who disembarked from the first Ryanair flight into the airport in 1986 included six-year-old Davinia Paul, who was heading to Boyle for Christmas, meaning there was a Boyle connection with both the first incoming Ryanair flight and 10 millionth Ryanair passenger from the airport!

Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said: "We are delighted to mark yet another significant milestone in the airport’s history, welcoming Ryanair’s 10 millionth passenger to the airport.

"It’s been a fantastic 37 years with so many great highlights and milestones achieved along the way.

"During this time, Ryanair has continued to grow and provide critically important international access to and from the UK market and connected the West of Ireland to sun destinations in Spain and Portugal and also delivered access to European cities such as Milan, Barcelona and Cologne which have been hugely important in growing tourism numbers to the West and Northwest of Ireland."