Exhibition ship weathers the stormy tourism season

IT'S NOT plain sailing but not all vessels are having as tough a time as the Jeanie Johnston.

Visitor numbers to the JFK Dunbrody ship in New Ross, Co Wexford, are up 6% on last year, despite a tough season for the tourist industry.

With the JFK Dunbrody Festival about to kick off in the town this weekend, project chief executive, Sean Reidy, said the ship had become a source of incredible inspiration and pride for the people of the town.

"It was not easy at times but we are now in a situation where we are making a profit. It was hard work and will continue to be. There are difficulties in a project like this one in that it eats up a lot of money in terms of maintenance and staffing," he said yesterday.

While the 5.6m euro project did hit stormy waters and work was halted in 1998 for evaluation , the time-out did allow for a lot of reflection.

"We spent a full year looking at all the various options we had, including sail training and the visitor option. That time did give us important breathing space. Our spend speaks for itself 5.6m euro on the ship itself and a further 600,000 euro on land with the new audio visual centre, café, merchandising, mooring arrangements and other facilities."

Mr Reidy declined to comment on the Jeanie Johnston in Kerry and its comparative misfortune. He is hopeful that the Wexford project will continue to enjoy good fortune.

It opened in May 2001 and by the end of the first 12 months, 68,000 people had climbed aboard to view the project. Since last May, visitor numbers have continued to increase. Most are from Britain, at 40%, followed by the domestic market which is running at about 35%.

It's difficult to chart the future for the tourist attraction, Mr Reidy admitted. "It was completed as an exhibition ship and if it does sail, and we hope it will, it will do so in self-financing trips."

The JFK Dunbrody Festival this weekend has a major peace theme. Bill Clinton and Mo Mowlam will join in a video link for a peace conference and Jean Kennedy Smith, Mark Durkin, Martin Manseragh and Charlie Bird will all be in town for the event.