Companies toast record visitor and passenger numbers

A distillery and an airline are toasting their success in breaking tourist records.

The Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin, and the Jameson Experience Centre in Midleton, Co Cork, have seen a 10% growth in visitor numbers for the first six months of this year.

Some 177,481 visitors have passed through the doors, compared to 160,490 in the first half of 2012.

Many of the visitors have come from the US, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries to sample the famous Jameson guided tours and whiskey-tasting tutorials.

John Callely, managing director of Watercourse Distillery, which operates the Dublin and Midleton facilities, said the record visitor numbers could be attributed in part to the special offerings they are providing as part of The Gathering and the overall increase in tourists visiting the country so far this year.

“The great results also mirror the domestic and international success of the Jameson brand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ryanair was celebrating carrying its 9.5 millionth passenger through Cork yesterday.

In 26 years, Ryanair has grown from a one-route operation at Cork to now offering passengers a choice of 24 European destinations.

To mark the milestone, the airline is launching a 100,000-seat sale across its entire European network with fares starting from as little as €22.99 for travel in September and October if booked on ryanair.com before midnight tomorrow.

Cork Airport director Niall MacCarthy said he was delighted to welcome Ryanair’s 9.5 millionth passenger through Cork Airport and to be within reach of a probable 10 millionth passenger within the next 12 months.

“The growth in Ryanair’s passenger base at Cork Airport since 1987 has been impressive and we are delighted to see the airline serve 24 destinations from Cork this year,” he said. “The announcement of the new East Midlands service for the forthcoming winter season will contribute a further 60,000 passengers alone.”