WEST Cork is set for a tourism bonanza in the coming months with a major increase in cruise liners coming to the area.
A view of the MSC Splendida passenger cruise liner carrying 4500 passengers which berthed in Cobh, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan
Eight liners are scheduled to dock in Bantry and Glengarriff between May and September, with the first due in Glengarriff on May 5.
One of the liners, the Aegean Odyssey, has never travelled beyond the Mediterranean before and sources say it is believed that some cruise companies are now concerned about terrorism threats in the Mediterranean.
The Aegean Odyssey is now scheduled to dock in Bantry Bay on July 31.
Last year, just three liners used the Bantry Bay facilities, but it is believed that aggressive marketing of the area by the Bantry Bay Port Company, the Port of Cork and Cork County Council has paid off.
Assistant harbour master, Michael Murphy, said six liners are already booked in for the 2018 season. He said the new Bantry marina will open in June.
The €8.5 million development incorporates a 20-berth marina, as well as dredging to allow access to the inner harbour in Bantry.
Remedial works to the town’s pier is also included in the work.
Captain Murphy said: “It is all positive for the area, for all of west Cork. The cruise liners will have a knock-on effect on businesses in the area. One of the liners, the Prinsendam, will have about 1,500 passengers.”
He said the Bantry Bay area is targeting the smaller liners, because it would not be big enough for many of the large liners that come into Cobh.
The first vessel, the Serenissima, carries just 100 passengers and will include Bantry bay in a tour of Britain and Ireland on May 5. They will visit Garnish Island as the theme of the cruise is Britain and Ireland in Bloom.
The Astor, due to visit later in May, will carry 600 passengers.
Eileen O’Shea of the Bantry Bay Port Authority and the Bantry Tourism Development Association agreed that the liners will have a spin off for the entire west Cork area, particularly given its location on the Wild Atlantic Way.
She said bus tours from Bantry and Glengarriff for the passengers on board the liners will be able to bring them to various tourist attractions while the vessels are docked.
Between 12 and 15 oil tankers also use the harbour every year to access the oil plant on Whiddy Island.
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