Cork section of Fáilte Ireland tourist initiative to be extended

The Cork section of what Fáilte Ireland hopes will be an iconic coastal tourist drive will not stop in Glengarriff, as planned, and will extend into Kinsale.

However, the route of the Wild Atlantic Way between the two tourist centres has yet to be finalised.

A number of towns and villages will be seeking inclusion.

However, the public will have an input when three consultation meetings are held at different venues in the county later this month.

The project is a Fáilte Ireland-led initiative to develop a new driving route of over 1,400km along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork.

It is based on some of the iconic world routes such as the Great Ocean Road in Australia or the Garden Route in South Africa.

Several members of Cork County Council had expressed concern that large swathes of the county could lose out on tourism revenue if, as first proposed, the drive stopped in the village of Glengarriff.

However, the council’s Tourism Special Purposes Committee (SPC) has been informed it is being extended to Kinsale.

Fianna Fáil councillor Christopher O’Sullivan, a member of the SPC, said the question now arises as to where the route will run between the Glengarriff/Bantry and Kinsale areas.

“From Sheep’s Head to Mizen Head to Baltimore and the islands.

“From Skibbereen to Toe Head, Castletownsend and Union Hall. From Leap to Glandore, Rosscarbery to the Galley Head and into Clonakilty.

“And from Timoleague and Courtmacsherry to Kinsale. These stretches of coast should all be included in my opinion,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

He said inclusion in the 1,400km route would not just benefit the tourism industry. “It will also be an opportunity to improve our road infrastructure with the provision of extra viewing points and lay-by amenities.

“The Atlantic drive will also link in with already established walking and cycling routes,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

“Now the public have a great opportunity to have their say on this. In my opinion this project has the potential to bring many more visitors to West Cork, which will hopefully give the area a much needed economic boost.”

Public consultation meetings will be held in Cork City, Kinsale, and Bantry later this month.

The exact dates and times for the meetings have yet to be finalised.