Paddywagon’s on bandwagon

Tourism company Paddywagon Tours is about to open a second Cork city base, in rapid succession to its first base which opened last August.

It has just acquired 4 Washington Street, by the city’s student bar and nightclub strip, as well as being close to English Market entrances on Grand Parade a few hundred yards away. It means 10 more staff will be taken on in all, said company tours manager Mike Walsh, bringing Paddywagon’s employment in Cork city to 35. Paddywagon also owns Kinlay House near Shandon, which it says is the largest tourist hostel in Munster.

The new 350 sq ft Washington Street base is due to open around late February, and had been on the market to let via Remax, guiding €10,000 pa. According to Mr Walsh, Paddywagon’s Cork tourist business jumped 20% to 30% since it opened on Patrick’s Quay last August.

As well as organising tours to Kerry, Dublin and Clare from Cork city, Paddywagon partners with a number of attractions in the area such as Blarney Castle, Cork City Gaol and Titanic Experience Cobh.

Now, publican Benny McCabe of Cork Heritage Pubs is to promote his burgeoning city businesses via Paddywagon’s city offices (see also planning notes this page) while the company has promotion links with a range of other bars and restaurant businesses as well.

Paddywagon (founded in 1998) employs around 80 at high season, with a fleet of over 20 buses and several hostels — Paddy Palaces — in its care.

Details: Remax: 021-4277745.