Backdrop image for movie 'A Wing and a Prayer' - The Story of Knock Airport

'A Wing and a Prayer' - The Story of Knock Airport (1986)

"We're building an airport", Monsignor James Horan tells Jim Fahy of RTÉ News, in 1981. The bold story of a 'simple' country priest, with a dream to build a 7500ft runway for an international airport, on a "foggy, boggy hill" in and around Barnacahoge and Barnalyra, Co. Mayo. A feat few thought possible. It began as a one off news item, and develops into a charming documentary, written by Fahy and directed by Blackman over the years. The changing governments, all get caught up in the chaos, and almost nobody in power wanted it to go ahead. This controversial campaign to put Connacht on the map, faces setback after setback. But none great enough, to stop this "old man in a hurry" from getting his airport for the province, opened to the public by 1986.

  • Documentary
  • History
  • TV Movie

Top billed cast

  • Photo of Monsignor James HoranMonsignor James HoranSelf - Knock Parish Priest
  • Photo of Charles HaugheyCharles HaugheySelf - Fianna Fáil (four time) Former Taoiseach
  • Photo of Pádraig FlynnPádraig FlynnSelf - Fianna Fáil Minister of State Department of Transport, 1980-81
  • Photo of Albert ReynoldsAlbert ReynoldsSelf - Fianna Fáil Minister for Transport 1979-81
  • Photo of Jim MitchellJim MitchellSelf - Fine Gael TD Minister for Communications 1984-87
  • Photo of Jim RyanJim RyanSelf - Airport Design Consultant
  • Photo of Michael O'MalleyMichael O'MalleySelf - Mayo County Manager
  • Photo of Joe MurphyJoe MurphySelf - Jaycees International, 1981
  • Photo of Paddy O'ToolePaddy O'TooleSelf - Fine Gael TD, Mayo East 1977-87
  • Photo of Barry DesmondBarry DesmondSelf - Labour TD, Minister of State Department of Finance 1981-82

Similar to 'A Wing and a Prayer' - The Story of Knock Airport