Cruise liner visits to Cork Harbour is to make a major bounce-back with 88 calls already confirmed for next year and the likelihood there will be more.

Port of Cork chief commercial officer Conor Mowlds said a further 53 liners have pre-booked for visits in 2023 and this figure is expected to rise significantly in the months ahead.

“We're delighted with such a strong return,” Mr Mowlds said. “We expect the first vessel to arrive in April. Vessels are booked in for Cork and Bantry.”

The chairman of Cruise Europe, Cobh-based Captain Michael McCarthy, said he has been liaising with major cruise line companies and expects a far stronger return to the Irish market as many may have anticipated.

This will be especially good for Cobh, which relies heavily on the income generated from the arrival of cruise liner passengers.

The industry has been shut down in Ireland since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. However, ports in Britain and Northern Ireland reopened earlier this year to cruise liner traffic.

Irish Examiner has more on this story.