Loss of ferry route has 'cost Cork tourism €35m'

The withdrawal of the Swansea-Cork Ferry has led to a 30% drop in tourism revenue in west Cork, it was claimed at yesterday’s meeting of Cork County Council.

The county council will call on the Port of Cork and the former ferry operator to give a detailed update on plans to renew the service.

Councillor Dermot Sheehan revealed startling figures on how service withdrawal has impacted the region.

He said the failure to replace the Swansea-Cork service had cost the south-west region more than €35m.

Cllr Sheehan produced a letter from Bantry Golf Club, which showed a 51% drop in British visitor golfers since the ferry service was axed.

He said: “It’s akin to the loss of the Heathrow slots in Shannon.”

Cllr Sheehan claimed the Swansea-Cork ferry had brought 285,000 passengers and 108,459 cars into Cork in the three years before it was discontinued.

“We are watching tourism in west Cork disintegrate before our eyes,” he said.

Bantry-based Cllr John O’Shea urged the authorities to approach other ferry companies to takeover the route.

“Nobody has a monopoly on this Cork-Swansea route. There is no light at the end of the tunnel.”

Cllr O’Shea said it was unlikely that Swansea-Cork ferries would be operational in 2008.

However, Fianna Fáil’s Alan Coleman, who is a member of the Port of Cork authority, said he was aware that discussions were ongoing with two ferry operators in the hope of getting the route re-opened.

Cllr Noel Harrington said it was impossible for businesses to plan ahead, without knowing what was happening to the route.

A spokesman for Swansea-Cork ferries said they would make an announcement on their plans next month.