CEO of The Shannon Airport Group named Clare person of the year 2025 at prestigious awards

CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine, has been awarded the prestigious title of Clare Person Of The Year 2025, ahead of her new role as CEO of Irish Rail. The appointment came at the Clare Association Dublin’s annual awards dinner. 

The event, which has been hailed as one of the most successful in recent years, drew one of the largest crowds seen since the 1990s on Saturday, September 6 at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon. 

The strong attendance was a testament both to this year’s honourees and to the Association’s renewed energy in connecting Clare people across the country and beyond. The celebration highlighted the unity, pride and resilience of the Clare community at home and abroad.

Most Reverend Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe, joined the event alongside Clare TDs, councillors and leaders from business, culture, music and sport, as well as community partners and past awardees, reflecting the wide network of support and the strength of Clare connections both east and west.

The gala evening was opened by MC Tom Conway who thanked all involved. Special tributes were paid to committee members who had recently passed, including Joe Vaughan, sister of Mary Browne, a lifelong member of the Association and Mary Kennedy, whose daughters carried forward her tradition of involvement by presenting the flowers on the night. The fundraising element of the event was also dedicated to charity in Mary’s memory.

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Theresa Murrihy, Chairperson of Sláinte an Chláir/Clare Cancer Support, addressed the audience on behalf of the beneficiary charity. She expressed gratitude for the Association’s ongoing commitment to supporting vital community services, while also highlighting the invaluable work of Clare Cancer Support. She movingly shared the story of an 80-year-old man who had to be driven from Clare to Dublin for treatment and brought home the same day due to the lack of available hospital beds, underscoring the importance of community-based supports. 

Following the dinner, Association Chairman Ciarán O’Connell, newly elected to the role, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the 2025 award recipients. Attendees included CEOs of major Mid-West companies, county managers from Clare and Galway, Chamber of Commerce leaders, cultural and financial figures and elected representatives, all united in a remarkable show of Clare pride and solidarity. He reflected on the Association’s evolving role in Dublin, stressing how while the city may feel closer in some ways, in times of need, home in Clare can still feel far away. The Association’s network is there to help bridge that gap.

First up was the Hall of Fame Inductee – Professor Michael Kerin. Originally from Kilnamona, he was inducted into the Clare Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to cancer surgery, research and education. Joined by his wife Annette, extended family and colleagues, Professor Kerin received a warm standing ovation from the crowd. In his acceptance speech, he remembered his parents, who have passed away, and their pride. He raised awareness of his pioneering breast cancer research, emphasising the need for clinics and support services in the West of Ireland. The Professor closed with an inspiring reminder: “Whatever you do, try to leave it in a better place than when you started.”

The evening’s next honour went to Clare Person of the Year 2025 Mary Considine, the first female CEO of The Shannon Airport Group and a proud native of Lissycasey. Accompanied by her husband Éibhear Slattery, her parents, siblings and extended family, she was recognised for her outstanding leadership in Irish aviation and her deep commitment to
regional development in and beyond the Shannon area.

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Mary reflected on her roots and her pride in representing Clare locally, nationally and internationally. She spoke of the immense challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Shannon Airport, like the aviation sector globally, was under unprecedented strain. Despite those difficulties, she said, the Airport continued to focus on improvement and innovation, thanks to the unwavering support of the Board, her management team and dedicated employees. Mary emphasised that Shannon Airport is not just a transport hub but also a vital economic driver for the Mid-West and Ireland as a whole, connecting communities, businesses and opportunities.

She dedicated the award to her family, colleagues and community, underlining that Shannon Airport’s achievements are a shared success story. Looking ahead to her new role as CEO of Irish Rail, she warmly thanked her predecessor Jim Meade, another proud Clare native, also present on the night and left the stage to a standing ovation.

Chairman Ciarán O’Connell closed proceedings with a reflection on Clare pride and the wealth of talent, expertise and professionalism within the diaspora. He urged guests to harness that collective energy through networking and connection using all their pride in improving County Clare as its fuel. The night concluded with a lively performance by the Patrick Roche Band, ensuring celebrations carried on late into the night.

Funds raised from the evening will support Clare Cancer Support (Sláinte an Chláir), helping the charity continue its essential work across the county.