Wild Atlantic Way boosts Shannon ferry crossings by 20%

A ferry service connecting Clare and Kerry has seen numbers surge by almost 20% over the past two years through the promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Shannon Ferry Group which operates the Shannon Breeze and Shannon Dolphin has already had to extend its high-season crossings due to demand.

The ferries which can take almost 120 cars between them, run between Tarbert, Co Kerry and Killimer in Clare from 7am to 9.30pm with crossings every 15 minutes.

Eugene Maher, chief executive of Shannon Ferry Group said: “Numbers have been fantastic, particularly over the past two years and this can be attributed to the promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way.

“We had lost our focus in terms of promoting the west of Ireland and the Ireland outside of Dublin. As the capital city, Dublin is a dominant player and will continue as that. But the traditional Ireland around the country seemed to have disappeared as regard tourism numbers.

“The Wild Atlantic Way has been there for millions of years, but now it is being promoted and marketed and this has been enormous for communities all along the western coast. Through signage and promotion the Wild Atlantic Way has got through to the mindset of international tourists.

“It has brought the tourism industry along the West from Donegal to West Cork under the one promotional umbrella. Foreign visitors do not differentiate between regions or counties, but the Wild Atlantic Way has broken down these local geographical boundaries,” he said.

Mr Maher said this year the figures are again going in the right direction and to cope with demand they are laying on additional crossings.

Mr Maher said: “There has been been a massive increase in motorbikes from the continent and cyclists. Obviously travelling by motorbike is a great way to view the Wild Atlantic Way. And there has also been a noticeable rise in the number of camper vans. Anecdotally, the biggest increase is in car hire visitors,” he said.

Mr Maher said that the ferry service forms a bridge between the N67 and N69 national road routes which run from Co Galway into north Kerry.

“We are linking iconic destinations along the west and south west,” he said.

The privately owned ferry company commenced operations in 1969 and operates all year except for Christmas Day.