Tourism boost as port in Kilkenny set to welcome 21 cruise vessels this season

The South-East is set to benefit from the arrival of 21 cruise vessels to Kilkenny's Belview port this season.

The cruise tourism season which operates from April to October will offer the regional economy a boost to the tune of €2,550,000 over the course of welcoming 21 cruise visits with a total of 25,755 visitors on board and some 12,049 crew.

The cruise calls will be welcomed at both the Port of Waterford at Belview and at the picturesque Dunmore East harbour which is operated by the Department of Agriculture and the Marine.

Visitors from each of the vessels will alight at Belview and enjoy travel to the top attractions across the Southeast and at Dunmore East they will travel ashore via tender boats where they will then continue on to enjoy 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces at the Waterford Treasures Museum collection in the city’s Viking Triangle, marvel at the making of Waterford Crystal, enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Copper Coast, explore ancient Abbeys such as Rock of Cashel, and see which lords lived in the likes of Kilkenny Castle and discover the story of Ireland’s Great Famine learning how our emigrated from Ireland aboard the Dunbrody Famine ship at New Ross.

“We are delighted to welcome visitors from all over the world to the Southeast region during our cruise business season," Harbour Master Capt Darren Doyle says. 

"At the Port of Waterford we look forward to facilitating this vital tourism revenue stream for the entire Southeast region and we look forward to continuing to work with all of the key stakeholders in order to promote the wonderful visitor destination that is this corner of Ireland’s Ancient East.”

The first vessel, The Maud, is set to arrive on April 28, which will carry some 528 passengers and 300 crew who will enjoy discovering the gems of the Southeast region. The season will also see the gigantic ‘Celebrity Apex’ visit twice during the summer carrying some 3,405 passengers and 1,320 crew members.

For further details on the Port of Waterford and the vessels planning to visit see www.portofwaterford.com.