An 88-berth Cork Harbour Marina located in Monkstown was officially opened on Saturday (7th of April) by Minister for the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD.
Phase one of the planned 300-berth marina facility in Monkstown Co. Cork, aptly named 'Cork Harbour Marina', is Ireland's newest coastal marina and is offering all year round berthing facilities for pleasure craft.
The new addition to the seaside village is in a sheltered location on the western bank of the River Lee in an area very popular for boating activities.
The bustling ceremony was also attended by Lord Mayor of Cork County, Michael McGrath of Fianna Fail, members of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club puls a number marine industry figures including John Wallace of Union Chandlery and Afloat.ie correspondent Tom MacSweeney.
As part of the proceedings the Irish Marine Federation's Steve Conlon saluted the tenacity of developer James O'Brien on completing the project. Steve Conlon's address gave a potted history to the new facility and we reproduce it here as an over view of the potential value of marinas to coastal communities:
I first met James some 8 years ago and I know how many hurdles he has crossed to get to this day, between planning, foreshore, State Valuation Office and the banks. These are just some of the impediments that are put in the way of would be developers who are putting in place valuable pieces of our tourism infrastructure. Marinas are sustainable developments, which will bring economic benefits to this area not only from resident boats but also from visitors.
From our own research we have established that the average spend per boat on a marina is in the region of €6,400 per annum. This is sum is made up of marina fees, insurance, training, sails, engine maintenance and chandlery spend.
An 88 berth marina, such as this one, has the potential to generate over €563,00.00. per annum in local economic activity. In addition our research shows that visiting boats spend on average almost €200 per night in the local community. Most of this money stays within the community. Our research also informs us that for every 2.7 marina berths, they support 1 full time job either in the marina itself or in associated business.
Stand alone marinas, like this one, are fine but they can become a real economic driver for an area when they begin to attract associated businesses into a Marine Industry Cluster of activity, such as boat sales, sailing and diving schools or bases for charter operations for deep sea angling and eco tours.
In terms of the marine leisure industry in Ireland it is worth in excess of €900 million per annum and accounts for 7% of our national tourism spend. Yet our national boat ownership ratio is low at 1 boat to every 156 people. Lots of room for expansion and development!
When you consider these figures and you realise what we have in terms of a natural resource on our doorstep, marina leisure tourism has the potential to deliver far more than it is in terms of international marine based visitors. We would like to see more incentives and promotional programmes put in place to encourage more overseas boat owners to base their boats in Ireland for at least two seasons to experience what we have on our South and West coast. To do this, however, we would need many more facilities such as this.
When you look at the global figures for marine activities, marine leisure tourism is the second most important economic activity after transport and shipping. It also accounts for 26% of the total global tourism product spend. The number one tourism product is cultural and heritage tourism at 27% of total global tourism. With our natural resources Ireland could become the marine leisure centre of excellence if it were to be developed in a sustainable way.
However, I am glad to say that attitudes are changing.
For the past 10 years the Irish Marine Federation has been calling for a National Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, this request now seems to on the way to be answered.
There is one other person here to day I wish to thank and that is Minister Coveney. While he was in opposition he worked continually to promote the marine even when he did not have the portfolio.
We were delighted to see that he managed to incorporate Marine into his Ministerial title.
Through our involvement in ITIC, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation I happened to meet Leo Varadka on the day that he was appointed as Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport and I asked him if I could come to see him regarding marine leisure tourism, his reply was, yes, certainly but Simon Coveney is going to do something in that area.
I also know from my ongoing contacts with Failte Ireland that both the Minister Coveney and Minister Varadka met with Failte Ireland to discuss progress on the development of a marine leisure tourism strategy.
So on behalf of the marine industry in Ireland we would today like to congratulate both James O'Brien on the official opening of his marina and look forward to future developments on this site and also Minister Coveney for his work in promoting the marine industry in Ireland.
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