   ireland west airport knock () is a regional airport located 5.6km (3.5 miles) south-west of charlestown, county mayo, ireland. the village of knock is 20km (12.5 miles) away. in 2013 665,000 passengers used the airport, making it 4th busiest in ireland after dublin, cork and shannon airport. it was previously known as knock international airport, connaught regional airport, and horan international airport. some airlines (especially low-cost airlines) know it as knock ireland west. connaught aero clubconnaught aero club and eirtrade aircraft serviceseirtrade aircraft services are based at the airport. ==history== the airport opened on 25 october 1985 with three aer lingus charter flights to rome: the official opening was on 30 may 1986. the site, on a hill in boggy terrain, was thought by many to be unrealistic but the airport was built following a long and controversial campaign by monsignor james horan,{{cite web|url=http://www.irelandwestairport.com/utility/history.aspx|title=history of ireland west airport knock|publisher=ireland west airport knock|accessdate=16 
1986_establishments_in_Ireland Airports_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland Transport_in_County_Mayo