Selling Galway City to the world

And the manager of a top city centre hotel has said people should not underestimate the economic impact which cruise ships will have on the city.

‘Le Soleal’ arrived in Galway Bay on her maiden voyage last Wednesday evening with a full complement of 264 passengers, including 15 travel writers from the likes of Condé Nast, as the city enjoyed a record heatwave and the Arts Festival was in full swing.

Harbour Master Captain Brian Sheridan said the city has already enjoyed the benefits of cruise ships, but the plans about to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála for the €50m redevelopment of Galway Port will act as a “springboard” to attract even more ships

Speaking on board the French-owned Le Soleal, he said: “The arrival of The World and Le Soleal is starting to give the citizens of Galway a flavour of what the potential of Galway as a destination can be.

“With the extension of the Port planning application, people will be able to come and go as they please, and not rely on tenders. I am absolutely convinced that Galway will be on a par with Cobh in Cork, and even surpass it, because I believe we have a lot more to offer the tourist than Cobh. There is so much more going on in Galway and its surrounds,” said Captain Sheridan.

Margaret Jenkins, General Manager of The House Hotel, said the cruise ships generate significant revenue for the city.

“We can’t be complacent about the economic benefit to the city, not just while the ships are in port, but also the repeat business that it might generate. Le Soleal [was] only here for 24 hours, the people come, they get a taste of Galway, hopefully they’ll like what they see and return again.

“Cruise ships have a huge economic benefit for the city, we have to see there is a huge opportunity with the Port,” said Ms Jenkins.

For more on this story, see today’s Connacht Sentinel