Last one i swear!!!
"What does anyone think that viability would be of a say daily flight up to Belfast? I mean the Cork flight to Belfast City does well and it's a long road trip."
Dont think a twice daily would work to be honest. Couple of times a week maybe as there is a sizeable ex-NI population in Shannon town itself but wouldnt think enough to make this viable as a 2 x daily service. Its driveable from the midwest in fairness(do-able as opposed to pleasurable) whereas Cork would be that extra distance that would make a drive painful.
Ryanair were approached by local politicians about it but knocked it back as far as I know. Their aircraft wouldnt have been viable on a route like that i would think