Loss of ferry service a shortsighted decision

AS one of the thousands who practically commutes from Britain and further afield to second homes and relatives in west Cork, using the most practical route, I am devastated by the grossly mismanaged and short-sighted decision by Swansea-Cork Ferries to halt services.

Having had to endure the alternative route in October, I am not looking forward to repeating the experience. My usual eight crossings per year were no great hardship, the sailing times suiting those travelling from southeast Britain, Holland, France and Germany. Compare that with the alternatives on offer. When time is precious, one has to think carefully. When the journey eats too much into the time available for a stay in Ireland, then you start to consider other destinations.

Vivian O’Callaghan and his colleagues from Kerry and West Glamorgan made an inspired contribution to the tourist industry and Irish economy in establishing the Swansea-Cork route. It is sad that their successors put short-term profit before long-term public service.