Cruise ‘best way to see river’

A FORMER navy diver is taking to the sea and air to show off one of the world’s finest natural harbours.

Baltimore businessman John Kearney, who runs Baltimore Diving Centre, has helped set up Cork Harbour Cruises, which will begin guided ferry tours of the harbour from the city on Friday.

But the holder of a private pilot’s licence is in talks with the Atlantic Flight Centre based at Cork Airport to offer sight-seeing aerial tours of the harbour from July.

“What we’re trying to do is set up harbour tours that are affordable to everyone.”

Cork Harbour is the second-largest natural harbour in the world, coming after Sydney Harbour. Cork Harbour is steeped in history, and is known for being the last port of call for the Titanic.

It is home to three historic military installations — Spike Island and Fort Camden (Dún Meagher), both open to the public, and Fort Carlisle. And it is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, the RCYC, founded in 1720.

Mr Kearney’s new firm has leased the Dutch-built Spirit of the Isles ferry, which is licensed to carry 97 passengers, to run the harbour tours service from the city centre.

It will ply a route from Penrose Quay in the city, to Kennedy Pier in Cobh, once a day every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from this Friday.

Fares start at €9.99 per adult, and €5 per child, and include a discounted entrance ticket to the Cobh Heritage Centre. Refreshments will be sold on board.

The vessel operated as a navy tug in Cork Harbour in the 1960s, served in Bantry Bay in 1968, and also plied the Baltimore to Cape Clear route for several years. Its previous skippers describe it as a great sea vessel.

The journey will take 75 minutes, and passengers can chose to stop off at Cobh, and visit the heritage centre or local restaurants, and then catch a train back to Cork, or they can jump back on the ferry for a return trip to the city quays, at no extra cost.

It is hoped the service will operate seven days a week from July.

Mr Kearney said as well as hoping to attract tourists, he hopes to service will appeal to local people looking to do something different.

“I’m amazed at the amount of people from Cork that I’ve met who’ve never seen the harbour at its best, from the water. They’ve never had the opportunity,” he said.

“This is an easy and affordable way for people to do it now. And it’s a great way to have a look up close at the spectacular cruise liners which berth at Cobh. It really is great to see them from the water.”

The harbour air tours service, which it is hoped will take off in July, will have introductory prices from €49 for a 30-minute flight.

* corkharbourcruises.com or 087 1515956.