UK travel writers check out all Cork has to offer

Four British travel journalists, representing various print and online publications, have visited Cork to get a taste of what visitors can expect when they visit the Rebel County.

The campaign aims to encourage sustainable exploration of the island of Ireland, with the travellers’ programme including a range of transportation styles from sail to rail.

The trip, part of a campaign run by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Irish Ferries, saw the journalists travel from Holyhead to Dublin aboard Irish Ferries’ Ulysses, before travelling south to Cork.

Their itinerary included visits to the English Market and the Marina, as well as a ‘Roots & Revelry’ dining experience at Callanan’s Bar, part of this year’s Cork on a Fork Fest.

After their city exploration, the group went by train to Cobh, where they visited the Titanic Experience, took a boat trip with Cork Harbour Boat Hire, and went cycling on the Midleton to Youghal Greenway.

As well as highlighting ease of access for British holidaymakers to Cork, the aim of this visit was to highlight sustainable ways to enjoy Cork’s tourism offerings.

Upon completion of their trip, the journalists will produce a range of articles for a number of different publications, which have a combined reach of more than 2.1m readers.

Judith Cassidy, Tourism Ireland’s acting head of Great Britain, said that there is no better way to showcase Cork’s unique appeal than by experiencing it first-hand.

“Through the articles and content they create and share, the journalists will inspire their audiences to come by ‘Sail & Rail’ and experience some of the sustainable ways to enjoy Cork’s superb tourism offering for themselves,” said Ms Cassidy.

“Our aim is to position Ireland as the perfect place to slow down, connect more deeply with people and landscapes and refresh.

“When visitors choose Ireland, dwell for longer and explore more, the economic and community benefits of tourism across the island are increased.”