Good News for the South West of Ireland
- By: Eanna
- On: 06/Jan/09
- In: Uncategorised
Shannon Airport is located in County Clare and is the gateway to the west of Ireland, which is renowned worldwide for its scenic beauty. In August 2007, Aer Lingus decided to axe one of the airport's most vital and successful routes – Shannon-Heathrow and flights ceased in January 2008. This controversial decision was met with a public outcry from locals; businesses who depend on tourism and companies struggling in the tough economic climate.
However, on December 22nd 2008, Aer Lingus announced it was to reverse its decision and to resume these flights again. The airline says that it hopes to operate two return flights daily starting from 29th March 2009. They can be booked on the Aer Lingus website.
Further south in the rebel county of Cork, the Port of Cork Authority are on the brink of reinstating the Cork-Swansea Ferry Service which will also be a huge boost for the south west of Ireland. This route has not being operating since the end of 2006 when Swansea Cork Ferries were unable to find a replacement ferry for the MV Superferry. The ferry link was first established in 1987 and since then it has brought close to 3 million passengers and about 700,000 cars into the south west region creating significant tourism revenue and economic activity in the Cork/Kerry region.
It is hoped that the ferry link will resume in the coming months and will be warmly welcomed by freight and tourism businesses. Due to the present downturn in the economy both at home and abroad, it's anticipated that more families will be taking their car on holidays as opposed to the more expensive option of flying.
We would love to hear what you have to say. Have you used these services? Have you seen impacts from the lack of these services? Please leave you thoughts on this in the comment box below.
If you're thinking of flying into Shannon Airport on your holidays then check out our Clare hotels page for accommodation.
We've also got Kerry hotels and Cork hotels if you're taking the ferry to Cork.
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Comments
If the Swansea Cork is reinstated I will be delighted.
Much has been made of the financial loss re tourism freight etc etc. My view is that the worst effect has been the separation of families.
Ireland is a country that respects family life and for many reasons the families are seperated for lengthy periods re employment abroad in Uk and Europe. For a family to return to South West Ireland they have two choices. Suffer the extra miles in driving to Pembroke/Fishguard and then on to Cork and Kerry, this enables families to travel together with all the neccessities of family life for children, presents for loved ones etc etc or Fly and suffer the aggravation of stringent baggage allowances, Airport departure lounges, hire cars and more.
In my case recent family illness and death meant several stressful trips under the above circumstances plus for friends and relations attending funerals similiar such restrictions.
Of course its not only funerals but all the other great family occassions as well. Weddings, Christenings, Landmark Birthdays and just being together.
This equally applies to other families who also travel home across England to Europe.
I only hope the Ferry reinstatement goes ahead and that it is a success.
Dave Wilcock
Salisbury UK
and
Kinsale Co. Cork
- #2
- By: Adrian Brentnall
- On: 20/Jan/09
HiAs co-organiser of the campaign to bring back the Swansea Cork ferry (at www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com) could I invite your readers to visit our website, where they will find an online petition and all the latest news about the restoration of this vital service.
Many thanks
Adrian Brentnall - Ballydheob, Co Cork
www.inspired-glass.com
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