[2] In a tribute to him, President Mary McAleese said that O'Regan was "a true visionary" and "leaves a legacy that permeates throughout all levels of economic, social and cultural life in Ireland.
In 1943, he was appointed as catering comptroller at Foynes flying boat base, which was a refuelling point for transatlantic seaplanes between Britain and the United States.
[2][7] After a visit to the United States under the Marshall Aid Plan, he drafted a report that became the blueprint for a vision of Shannon revolving around tourism, air freight and industry.
[10] In February 2007, Clare Museum held an exhibition, opened by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to mark his achievements.
[11] In 2015, a portrait of O'Regan was unveiled by Heather Humphreys, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum.
[12] Several initiatives have been named after him, including the O'Regan Park, a sporting and recreational facility in Newmarket-on-Fergus,[13] and three restaurants, one at the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, another at Shannon Airport[14] and the third at the Old Ground Hotel.