As the natural Atlantic gateway to Europe
Not since the 1969 B747 proved you didn't need to stop in rainy Ireland mate !
You can't seriously compare Shannon to Dubai. I mean really. Seriously that's comedy. Both WERE backwaters but Dubai had the $$$$$$ from oil that Ireland never had. Also Dubai is better suited to be a world hub than Shannon. It's in the middle of things whereas if Shannon was any more peripheral it would be mid atlantic.
Fuel stops, loco and toursity Americans are the only things Shannon is going to see in the real world. Unless you have a nive 7 Star Hotel and sun and sandy beaches? NO!