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The annual Holiday World Show Dublin, returns with holiday offers – including some auatic offerings –  from 24th to 26th January in RDS Simmonscourt. Celebrating its 25th year of making holidaymakers dreams come true, the Show is a one-stop shop of inspiration, advice and spectacular offers to broaden the horizons of those seeking their ideal break in 2014. Whether you're seeking that once-in-a-lifetime trip, planning a well deserved family holiday, making plans for a romantic break, keen to see what treasures Ireland has to offer, or want to bag one of the hundreds of 'show only' holiday deals, Holiday World is the must-attend event of the year.

Almost 1,000 travel experts from 50 different countries will arrive at the RDS Simmonscourt with amazing offers available only in person at the show and the best holiday advice and tips to make sure that the perfect holiday is tailor-made for all holidaymakers. With almost eight million people expected to travel abroad from Ireland in 2014, the Holiday World Show expects to herald the start of a strong year for Irish travel and tourism. The motto 'Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer' is sure to be on many people's minds with 'travel more' always being one of the most popular New Year's Resolutions.

The annual Holiday World Show allows visitors the opportunity to plan their holiday with confidence, offering a huge range of thrilling vacation options with hundreds of exclusive Holiday World Show deals available, this is the ideal opportunity to book that dream holiday and see the world without breaking the bank. The start of the year is traditionally the time that people begin to think about their holidays for the coming year, and the Holiday World Show is the perfect place to browse and pick up a bargain which you not get anywhere else!

2014 is set to be a great year for Irish travellers with more than thirty new routes available by air, increasing Ireland's air capacity by 5-10%. Canada is one of the most desirable destinations for 2014 travel with a number of airlines introducing new flights to the (second) friendliest country in the World! Westjet, the second biggest airline in Canada will lead the way with 27 flights weekly to St. John's, Newfoundland and onto Toronto. Other airlines offering exciting new or improved routes to Canada include; Aer Lingus, Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat. One of the most hotly anticipated new routes is Aer Lingus' new route to San Francisco which will contribute to air capacity between Ireland and the USA increasing for the third year in a row. Another exciting development will be the addition of an extra daily flight on the Dublin-Istanbul route by Turkish Airlines, which has the biggest global network in aviation.

This is a must-see event for anyone who is suffering from wanderlust or January blues. From romantic trips in Rome, to a 'staycation' in Kerry, a family adventure in Africa to surfing in Bali, the experts will be on hand to match holidaymakers with self-designed holidays at unbeatable prices. Remove the stress of juggling multiple impersonal online bookings for flights, accommodation, insurance and transport by booking your holiday face- to-face with a real-life travel professional with experience and accountability.

For three days The Holiday World Show will transform the RDS Simmonscourt into a hub of exotic, vibrant, multi-cultural activity; from the Americas to Asia, Europe to Africa, visitors can literally experience the locations on offer in a way that is not possible on the internet. With Valentine's Day around the corner there will be exceptional deals on weekend breaks to Barcelona, Lisbon, Venice, Rome, Paris, Madrid and Istanbul - not to mention the romantic luxury cruise deals on offer from Royal Caribbean Cruises, MSC Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Uniworld Cruises and Hurtigruten Cruises. Cruise holidays have increased in popularity by 10-20% every year for the last forty years due to a high level of increased business and newer, bigger cruise ships constantly sailing the open seas.

As well as holidays to dream destinations around the World, there will be a host of Irish exhibitors with tantalising home holidays and cultural experiences on offer. For the over 55's there will be a multitude of travel offers specifically tailored to the more seasoned traveller with over 55's discounts and exclusive packages. For those who like to travel the open road in comfort, or relax in a home away from home the Caravan and Motorhome Show 2014 is a must-see, with many models available to explore at the exhibition itself. Anyone considering a wedding abroad or looking for a luxurious honeymoon with a personalised feel and a bargain price will find inspiration and unbeatable value at the Holiday World Show Dublin. The professionals will be on hand to personally design tailor made honeymoons to ensure that 'Happily Ever After' gets off to the perfect start. There is no better way to ensure your perfect honeymoon than to talk face-to-face with an expert who has detailed experience of specific locations, hotels and all offerings that your chosen destination can provide.

Some of the biggest attractions at the show every year are the vivacious Spanish exhibitors, with fourteen of the Spanish regions represented at the show this year. Spain is consistently the number one destination for Irish tourists due to its beautiful, varied landscapes and culture. In 2013, more than 1.2 million Irish tourists holidayed in Spain. As a destination Spain has something for everyone with beach holidays, energetic city breaks, country hideaways and spiritual retreats.

Edmund Hourican, Managing Director of the Holiday World Show said, "It's an amazing achievement to see the Holiday World Show still going from strength to strength in its 25th year. We have to attribute much of the success to our fantastic exhibitors who come back year after year, with bigger and better offers and competitions for visitors at The Holiday World Show Dublin. With new routes to Canada starting in the New Year, we're expecting a huge level of interest in Canadian holidays at the show. Lots of destinations are taking the Irish market seriously with new exhibitors coming to Holiday World Show for the first time including Oman, Jordan and Korea."

Pat Dawson, CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association said, "The Holiday World Show is a fantastic event for travel agents and consumers alike. The economic downturn has made it difficult for many to afford holidays the last couple of years but our members are planning on showcasing unbeatable holiday offers at the Holiday World Show Dublin. Irish travel agents at the show will be focusing on quality and affordability as well as dispensing invaluable destination advice. Recent market research has indicated that one in two Irish adults will take a foreign holiday in 2014."

Holiday World Show Dublin 2014 will again host the free Eoghan Corry Expert Travel Clinics facilitated by renowned travel journalist Eoghan Corry, with leading industry specialists hosting talks and answering visitor's questions on a range of travel related topics. Experts will discuss subjects such as cruises, weddings abroad, 2014's top destinations, safaris, ski holidays, home holidays and much more. These informative and enjoyable clinics proved hugely popular last year with visitors who left with a wealth of knowledge.

Published in Aquatic Tourism
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#HolidayWorld- Thinking of getting away on a ferry-break or cruise, however before setting sail, perhaps you should consider visiting the Belfast Telegraph Holiday World Show at the Kings Hall, Belfast next weekend (18, 19 and 20 January).

The World will be your oyster, as the three-day show will offer an extensive range of exhibitors from across the globe with all types of holidays and travel options including those from the ferry and cruise sectors.

So if you planning a cruise holiday but unsure where to start looking, visit the Holiday World Show, to ask the all those important questions and discounts on cruise holidays.

When? 2013 Belfast Holiday World Show Dates & Times

Friday 18 January (1.00 pm - 9.00 pm) Public & Trade

Saturday 19 January (11.00 am - 5.30 pm) Public & Trade

Sunday 20 January (11.00 am - 5.30 pm) Public & Trade

Admission is £6 for adults, £4 for senior citizens, £3 for students, and £12 for a family pass (2 adults and up to 4 children). Find out more about the show and its exhibitors – and get in the holiday mood visit: www.holidayworldshow.com

Following the Belfast show, the Holiday World Show moves to Dublin at the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion on the weekend of 25, 26 and 27th January 2013.

Published in Boating Fixtures

#HOLIDAY WORLD SHOW -The Belfast Telegraph Holiday World Show will be officially opened by actress and comedian Crissy Rock of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here' fame, where she is to 'check in' at the city's King's Hall, this Friday.

The three day show (20th -22nd January) which ends on the Sunday, is Northern Ireland's biggest annual public showcase of travel, tourism and hospitality will offer an array of holiday destinations. Around 30,000 visitors are expected to the show during the weekend.

It will also be the show's 20th anniversary, commenting on the milestone, organiser Edmund Hourican said: "In 2012 we'll be celebrating 20 years of Holiday World Belfast. While much has changed during that time, the event still provides would-be travellers with a hassle-free opportunity to find out about and compare destinations, airlines, travel agencies - and their prices.

"Today's savvy travellers understand that 'best value' doesn't necessarily mean 'cheapest'. Rather, they are looking to find the products and services that best match their requirements. While visitors to Holiday World Belfast are typically prepared to invest in holidays – often heavily - they do want reassurance that they are making the right choices and getting the best deal. The fact that Holiday World is packed with special offers and discounts is a welcome extra bonus!"

Following the popularity of last year's launch by Oasis Travel of the Cruise Pavilion, this part of the show is also to return in 2012, bringing the biggest names in cruising and will include the successful series of cruise lectures suited to both the experienced 'cruiser' and those completely new to this style of holiday.

In addition this year will feature an all new event-within-an-event Over 55s Holiday Show, adding an important new focus to Holiday World Belfast. To read more details of the show, exhibitors including ferry and cruise operators, and for opening times and admission prices click HERE.

Following the Belfast show, it will be the turn of Dublin to host the Holiday World Show in association  with The Sunday Times which opens on the following weekend (Friday 27th-Sunday 29th January) in the RDS Simmonscourt Pavillon, Ballsbridge.

Like the Belfast show there will be an Over 55's Holiday Show plus the Caravan & Motorhome Show. For further details of the show  they can be viewed HERE.

Published in Boating Fixtures
The Holiday World Show in association with The Sunday Times, opened its doors today at the RDS Simmonscourt Complex in Dublin. The three-day show, which runs tomorrow and Sunday, will have numerous exhibitors with worldwide destinations and all types of holidays on offer.
As part of the show, visitors can attend a series of free talks held each day. One of the talks will be about "Cruise Holidays" –All You Need To Know, presented by cruise travel specialist, John Galligan of (John Galligan Travel) which starts at 3pm on Saturday. For a full list of the other speakers click HERE

The following ferry and  cruise operators are exhibiting at the show: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Celtic Link Ferries, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruise Holidays, Travel.ie, Hurtigruten, John Galligan Travel, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruise Lines, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Saga, Silversea Cruises, Thomas Cook and Voyages To Antiquity.

Also exhibiting is Emerald Star for those interested in taking a cabin-cruiser holiday on the Shannon.

For opening times of Holiday World Show (incorporating the Caravan & Motor Home Show) see below

Friday 28 January 1.00 pm - 8.00 pm 

Saturday 29 January 11.00 am - 5.30 pm

Sunday 30 January 11.00 am - 5.30 pm

For a full listing of exhibitors, ticket prices and further information about the show logon to www.holidayworldshow.com

Published in Cruise Liners
A new 'Cruise Pavilion' awaits visitors as part of The Belfast Telegraph Holiday World Show which opened its doors today. The three-in-one show which already includes the Caravan & Motorhome Show and Angling Ireland Show, is also open tomorrow and Sunday at the Kings Hall, Belfast.
Apart from the many and varied travel options from around the world, the exhibitors will provide holiday-makers with expert advice, special offers, promotions, competitions and entertainment and the cruise pavilion will cater for those considering taking their holiday afloat.

The following ferry, cruise and specialist travel companies exhibiting at the Belfast venue are: DFDS Seaways (formerly Norfolkline), Celebrity Cruises, Complete Cruise Solution, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O, Princess, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Seabourn, Silverseas Cruises, The Cruise Machine (trading as Vamos Holidays) and Voyages To Antiquity.

On the following weekend, The Holiday World Show in association with The Sunday Times will be held on 28, 29 and 30 January at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, which incorporates the Caravan & Motor Home Show.

Like the Belfast show The World World Show in Dublin will have numerous exhibitors with worldwide destinations and all types of holidays on show. The following ferry, cruise and specialist travel operators will be exhibiting: Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Celtic Link Ferries, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruise Holidays, Travel.ie, Hurtigruten, John Galligan Travel, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruise Lines, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Saga, Silversea Cruises, Thomas Cook and Voyages To Antiquity. Also at the show will be Emerald Star for those interested in taking a cabin-cruiser holiday on the Shannon.

Visitors to the Holiday World Show Dublin can attend cruise talks hosted by the Eoghan Corry Free Expert Clinics during the three-day long show. For a full listing of exhibitors, ticket prices, opening hours and further information about both shows logon to www.holidayworldshow.com

Published in Cruise Liners

Port of Cork Information

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of only two Irish ports which service the requirements of all six shipping modes i.e., Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise. Due to its favourable location on the south coast of Ireland and its modern deep-water facilities, the Port of Cork is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services.

The Port of Cork is investing €80 million in a container terminal development in Ringaskiddy. The Cork Container Terminal will initially offer a 360-metre quay with 13-metre depth alongside and will enable larger ships to berth in the port. The development also includes the construction of a 13.5-hectare terminal and associated buildings as well as two ship to shore gantry cranes and container handling equipment.

The development of new container handling facilities at Ringaskiddy was identified in the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan in 2010. It will accommodate current and future container shipping which can be serviced by modern and efficient cargo handling equipment with innovative terminal operating and vehicle booking systems. The Port of Cork anticipates that Cork Container Terminal will be operational in 2020.

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of just two Irish ports which service the requirements of all shipping modes.

The Port of Cork also controls Bantry Bay Port Company and employs 150 people across all locations.

A European Designated Core Port and a Tier 1 Port of National Significance, Port of Cork’s reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround as well as the company’s investment in future growth, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain.

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades, most recently with the construction of the new €80m Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy which will facilitate the natural progression of the move from a river port to a deepwater port in order to future proof the Port
of Cork. This state-of-the-art terminal which will open in 2020 will be capable of berthing the largest container ships currently calling to Ireland.

The Port of Cork Company is a commercial semi-state company responsible for the commercial running of the harbour as well as responsibility for navigation and berthage in the port.  The Port is the main port serving the South of Ireland, County Cork and Cork City. 

Types of Shipping Using Port of Cork

The Port offers all six shipping modes from Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise liner traffic.

Port of Cork Growth

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades. Since 2000, the Port of Cork has invested €72 million in improving Port infrastructure and facilities. Due to its favourable location and its modern deepwater facilities, the Port is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services. A well-developed road infrastructure eases the flow of traffic from and to the port. The Port of Cork’s growing reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain. The Port of Cork Company turnover in 2018 amounted to €35.4 million, an increase of €3.9 million from €31.5 million in 2017. The combined traffic of both the Ports of Cork and Bantry increased to 10.66 million tonnes in 2018 up from 10.3 million tonnes in 2017.

History of Port of Cork

Famous at the last port of call of the Titanic, these medieval navigation and port facilities of the city and harbour were historically managed by the Cork Harbour Commissioners. Founded in 1814, the Cork Harbour Commissioners moved to the Custom House in 1904.  Following the implementation of the 1996 Harbours Act, by March 1997 all assets of the Commissioners were transferred to the Port of Cork Company.

Commercial Traffic at Port of Cork

Vessels up to 90,000 tonnes deadweight (DWT) are capable of coming through entrance to Cork Harbour. As the shipping channels get shallower the farther inland one travels, access becomes constricted, and only vessels up to 60,000 DWT can sail above Cobh. The Port of Cork provides pilotage and towage facilities for vessels entering Cork Harbour. All vessels accessing the quays in Cork City must be piloted and all vessels exceeding 130 metres in length must be piloted once they pass within 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) of the harbour entrance.

Berthing Facilities in Cork Harbour

The Port of Cork has berthing facilities at Cork City, Tivoli, Cobh and Ringaskiddy. The facilities in Cork City are primarily used for grain and oil transport. Tivoli provides container handling, facilities for oil, livestock and ore and a roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ramp. Prior to the opening of Ringaskiddy Ferry Port, car ferries sailed from here; now, the Ro-Ro ramp is used by companies importing cars into Ireland. In addition to the ferry terminal, Ringaskiddy has a deep water port.

Port of Cork Development Plans

2020 will be a significant year for the Port of Cork as it prepares to complete and open the €86 million Cork Container Terminal development in Ringaskiddy.

Once operational the new terminal will enable the port to handle up to 450,000 TEU per annum. Port of Cork already possess significant natural depth in Cork harbour, and the work in Ringaskiddy Port will enable the Port of Cork to accommodate vessels of 5500 to 6000 TEU, which will provide a great deal of additional potential for increasing container traffic.

It follows a previous plan hatched in 2006 as the port operated at full capacity the Port drew up plans for a new container facility at Ringaskiddy. This was the subject of major objections and after an Oral Planning Hearing was held in 2008 the Irish planning board Bord Pleanala rejected the plan due to inadequate rail and road links at the location.  

Further notable sustainability projects also include:

  • The Port of Cork have invested in 2 x STS cranes – Type single lift, Model P (148) L, (WS) Super. These cranes contain the most modern and energy-efficient control and monitoring systems currently available on the market and include an LED floodlight system equipped with software to facilitate remote diagnostics, a Crane Management System (CMS) and an energy chain supply on both cranes replacing the previous preferred festoon cabling installation.
  • The Port of Cork has installed High Mast Lighting Voltage Control Units at its two main cargo handling locations – Tivoli Industrial & Dock Estate and Ringaskiddy Deep-water & Ferry Terminals. This investment has led to more efficient energy use and reduced risk of light pollution. The lights can also be controlled remotely.
  • The Port of Cork’s largest electrical consumer at Tivoli Container Terminal is the handling and storage of refrigerated containers. Local data loggers were used to assess energy consumption. This provided timely intervention regarding Power Factor Correction Bank efficiency on our STS (Ship to Shore) Cranes and Substations, allowing for reduced mains demand and reducing wattless energy losses along with excess charges. The information gathered has helped us to design and build a reefer storage facility with energy management and remote monitoring included.

Bantry Port

In 2017 Bantry Bay Port Company completed a significant investment of €8.5 million in the Bantry Inner Harbour development. The development consisted of a leisure marina, widening of the town pier, dredging of the inner harbour and creation of a foreshore amenity space.

Port of Cork Cruise Liner Traffic

2019 was a record cruise season for the Port of Cork with 100 cruise liners visiting. In total over 243,000 passengers and crew visited the region with many passengers visiting Cork for the first time.

Also in 2019, the Port of Cork's Cruise line berth in Cobh was recognised as one of the best cruise destinations in the world, winning in the Top-Rated British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Destination category. 

There has been an increase in cruise ship visits to Cork Harbour in the early 21st century, with 53 such ships visiting the port in 2011, increasing to approximately 100 cruise ship visits by 2019.

These cruise ships berth at the Port of Cork's deepwater quay in Cobh, which is Ireland's only dedicated berth for cruise ships.

Passenger Ferries

Operating since the late 1970s, Brittany Ferries runs a ferry service to Roscoff in France. This operates between April and November from the Ro-Ro facilities at Ringaskiddy. Previous ferry services ran to Swansea in Wales and Santander in Spain. The former, the Swansea Cork ferry, ran initially between 1987 and 2006 and also briefly between 2010 and 2012.

The latter, a Brittany Ferries Cork–Santander service, started in 2018 but was cancelled in early 2020.

Marine Leisure

The Port of Cork has a strategy that aims to promote the harbour also as a leisure amenity. Cork’s superb natural harbour is a great place to enjoy all types of marine leisure pursuits. With lots of sailing and rowing clubs dotted throughout the harbour, excellent fishing and picturesque harbour-side paths for walking, running or cycling, there is something for everyone to enjoy in and around Cork harbour. The Port is actively involved with the promotion of Cork Harbour's annual Festival. The oldest sailing club in the world, founded in 1720, is the Royal Cork Yacht Club is located at Crosshaven in the harbour, proof positive, says the Port, that the people of Cork, and its visitors, have been enjoying this vast natural leisure resource for centuries. 

Port of Cork Executives

  • Chairman: John Mullins
  • Chief Executive: Brendan Keating
  • Secretary/Chief Finance Officer: Donal Crowley
  • Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer: Capt. Paul O'Regan
  • Port Engineering Manager: Henry Kingston
  • Chief Commercial Officer: Conor Mowlds
  • Head of Human Resources: Peter O'Shaughnessy