The picturesque town of Kinsale once again played host to the Kinsale Aviation Festival 2025, held on November 29th at the Trident Hotel. Since its inception in 2021 by industry veterans Joe Gill and Paolo Massolini, the festival has become a cornerstone event for aviation professionals and enthusiasts alike, blending heritage, networking, and forward-thinking dialogue.
This year’s theme, “The Future of Irish Aviation,” set the tone for an evening of insightful discussion and celebration. Attendees were treated to exclusive interviews with two of the industry’s leading figures: Conor McCarthy, Executive Chairman of Emerald Airlines and Founder of Dublin Aerospace, and Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK. Both shared their perspectives on sustainability, innovation, and Ireland’s role in shaping global aviation trends.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious Valour Award, continuing the tradition of honouring exceptional contributions to aviation. This year’s Valour Award honoured 40 firefighting pilots and technicians based in Quebec. Operating Canadian-built aircraft, they supported California during the devastating winter fires of 2024/25. The award was accepted on behalf of the team by Adeline Grenier from the Embassy of Canada.
For those who missed this year’s event, keep an eye on kinsaleaviationfestival.ie for details of the 2026 event.
