CORK is set for a major tourism boost next month with the arrival of the country’s very own ‘Orient Express’.
Belmond Grand Hibernian Ireland – Observation car
The arrival of the Belmond Grand Hibernian, the country’s first luxury overnight train, will result in a marked increase in the number of people visiting the city, and attractions such as Blarney Castle, the English Market, and the Jameson Experience, according to Minister of State for European Affairs, Dara Murphy.
The Fine Gael Cork North Central TD said the service is expected to promote Cork among the world’s leading tourist destinations.
“I am sure the people of Cork will give this classic train and its passengers a big céad míle fáilte when it rolls into Kent Station later this summer,” he said.
The luxury train, which has been described as a ‘country house on wheels’ is set to run tours ranging from two- to four- and six-night packages.
Its ‘Legends and Loughs’ tour runs over four days and five nights from Dublin to Cork, Killarney, Galway and Westport, and costs a whopping €5,420 per person.
Its ‘Grand Tour of Ireland’ takes the same route but includes further stops in Dublin, Belfast, Portrush and back to Dublin for a grand total of €7,722 per person.
Daily excursions to tour historic estates, famous golf courses and landmarks are also included in the price, as is food and drink.
A concept image for the interior of the Belmond Great Hibernian train.
Mr Murphy said the development will further impact the already upward trend in overseas visitor numbers this year.
“The latest CSO tourism figures show the tourism and hospitality industry is on track for another record-breaking year, with almost 4.4 million arrivals to the country recorded — that’s half a million additional overseas visitors when compared with the first half of last year,” he said.
Work on the Grand Hibernian first began two years ago when Belmond Ltd acquired 10 carriages from Irish Rail and set about transforming them into luxury accommodation for up to 40 tourists.
As the carriages are already made for the gauge used on Irish Rail tracks, no modifications needed to be made to the existing infrastructure.
There are 20 en-suite cabins, as well as four interconnecting suites for families, two restaurant cars, and an observation bar car.
The interior is designed in an elegant Georgian style, drawing inspiration from Ireland’s ancient folklore and traditions.
Belmond Ltd currently owns and operates 45 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations.
The Grand Hibernian is Belmond’s seventh luxury rail experience, building on its reputation for running the world’s most famous trains, including the Royal Scotsman and the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient Express.
For more information about the Belmond Grand Hibernian, go to www.belmond.com.
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