“visionary adj 1 showing or marked by great foresight or imagination. 2 possible only in the imagination; impracticable; fanciful. 3 capable of seeing supernatural images or apparitions. noun (visionaries) a visionary person. visionariness noun.”
Chambers Dictionary
Similar to Thurles, when I photographed this plaque, I was getting ready to write about the (mis)use of the word ‘visionary’. I would have thought it correct for the plaque to have read ‘visionary businessman’ and not ‘visionary’. My mind had been programmed that the noun visionary was restricted to the third alternative for the adjective – a person capable of seeing supernatural images. Not for the first time, and not for the last, I proved myself wrong and confirmed that there is much left to learn. In addition, the sign did compel me to find out more about the man who established the first duty free shop in the world, Dr. Brendan O’Regan. I had assumed that Duty Free shops were always at airports – not just since 1950. |