Displaying items by tag: Waterford Port

2nd March 2023

Waterford Port Set to Welcome 21 Cruise Vessels this Season

The Southeast of Ireland is set to benefit from the arrival of 21 cruise vessels to the Port of Waterford this season.

The cruise tourism season, which operates from April to October, will, says the Port of Waterford, offer the regional economy a boost to the tune of €2,550,000 over the course of welcoming 21 cruise visits with a total of 25,755 visitors on board and some 12,049 crew.

The cruise calls will be welcomed at both the Port of Waterford at Belview and the picturesque Dunmore East harbour, operated by the Department of Agriculture and the Marine.

Visitors from each of the vessels will alight at Belview and enjoy travel to the top attractions across the Southeast and at Dunmore East, they will travel ashore via tender boats, where they will then continue to enjoy 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces at the Waterford Treasures Museum collection in the city’s Viking Triangle, marvel at the making of Waterford Crystal, enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Copper Coast, explore ancient Abbeys such as Rock of Cashel, and see which lords lived in the likes of Kilkenny Castle and discover the story of Ireland’s Great Famine learning how our emigrated from Ireland aboard the Dunbrody Famine ship at New Ross.

Harbour Master Capt. Darren Doyle says, “We are delighted to welcome visitors from all over the world to the Southeast region during our cruise business season. At the Port of Waterford we look forward to facilitating this vital tourism revenue stream for the entire Southeast region and continue working with all of the key stakeholders to promote the wonderful visitor destination that is this corner of Ireland’s Ancient East.”

The first vessel is set to arrive on the 28th of April, and it is ‘The Maud’, which will carry some 528 passengers and 300 crew who will enjoy discovering the gems of the Southeast region. The season will also see the gigantic ‘Celebrity Apex’ visit twice during the summer carrying some 3,405 passengers and 1,320 crew members.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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Waterford Port

Norwegian Expedition Liner is first to Visit Waterford in Two Years

The Norwegian expedition cruise liner, Maud, arrived in Waterford Port this morning, the first cruise vessel in over two years, due to Covid pandemic disruption.

It is the maiden voyage of the vessel, from the Norwegian cruise line company Hurtigruten. She arrived from the Isle of Man with over 500 passengers on board and 300 crew members. The vessel is named after one of the most famous Polar vessels -Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' - from 1917.

Waterford Harbour Master Capt. Darren Doyle said 27 cruise vessels will call to Waterford by the end of September with a total of 35,000 passengers and 16,000 crew members. “This will deliver a much-needed boost to the regional tourism economy of €3.5m.”

The Maud is scheduled to make nine more visits to Waterford this Summer.

The Celebrity Apex, which cost $900 million to build is scheduled to make her maiden visit in June and return in July and in August with over 3,000 passengers on each occasion.

Published in Cruise Liners

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Waterford Port Seeks New CEO

#waterfordport – Ireland's 'oldest' port is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, dynaminc leader for the role of CEO when the current Chief Excecutive retires this year. Waterford Port has advertised the role in today's Sunday Business Post.

The port plays a pivotal role in the economic life of the south–east.

More details about the job from Ellen Roche of PricewaterhouseCoopers on 01 7926703

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.