Ballycotton lighthouse a beacon for local tourism venture

A landmark lighthouse built on an island off Cork in the mid-1800s is set to open for its first guided tours today as part of an ambitious new tourism venture.

The backers of the Ballycotton Island and Lighthouse Tours project hope it will help attract up to 50,000 people to the region every year, and boost the local economy.

They launched their new 12-passenger licensed ferry, Yassy, in the fishing village’s scenic harbour yesterday ahead of its first official tourist sailing this afternoon.