L-R: Eamonn McKee, Irish Ambassador to Canada; Glen Morgan, General Manager ARI North America; Marie-Lise Manoukian, Head of Finance ARI North America; Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD; Isabelle Le Bouder, Head of HR ARI North America; and Colin Morgan, Head of Retail Operations, ARI North America 

Dublin-headquartered travel retailer Aer Rianta International (ARI) welcomed representatives of Ireland’s political class to airport retail locations worldwide last week to mark St Patrick’s Day (17 March).

In a tribute to the fabled festival honouring Ireland’s culture and heritage through the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, ARI received visits from Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD (Montreal Duty Free, Canada); Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Delhi Duty Free, India); and Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle (Portugal Duty Free, Lisbon).

Ray Hernan, Chief Executive Officer, ARI said: “It was our great privilege to extend a warm ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ to Ireland’s leading dignitaries during this hallmark week for the Irish diaspora and enterprises worldwide.

“Together with our colleagues and our partners, we are delighted to see ARI continue to prosper and expand its global footprint, and we wish a very joyous St Patrick’s Day to all. Sláinte!”

Part of state-owned daa, ARI opened the first duty free shop in the world at Shannon Airport in 1947 and today boasts a presence in 13 countries and 27 cities worldwide.

L-R: Alma Ni Choigligh, Irish Ambassador to Portugal; Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle; Rodrigo Aguiar, Brand Ambassador, Diageo; Alain Bruin, General Manager, Portugal Duty Free; and Sarah Farrelly, Director of Operations, Portugal Duty Free.