Europa cruises into Kinsale harbour and boosts local tourism

Kinsale welcomed Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa for a cruise call this week, as more than 400 passengers came ashore to enjoy a range of excursions and experiences across Kinsale, Cork and the wider region.

Passengers on board are in the middle of a sixteen night Legends of Ireland and the Highlands (Hamburg - Hamburg) trip on board the German vessel.

Throughout the stopover, visitors experienced the best of Kinsale and its surrounding area, taking in attractions such as Charlesfort, the Scilly walk, Kinsale town and harbour, Hillside Garden in Glounthaune, the Midleton Distillery Experience premium tasting and a range of e-bike tours.

Some passengers also extended their exploration to some of Cork and Munster’s most iconic visitor destinations including Cork city, Blarney Castle, Cahir and Cashel.

As part of the Ireland EU presidency celebrations, passengers and visitors were treated to a lively cultural welcome on the Kinsale pier.

The Cork cultural show showcased traditional Irish music, song and dance, creating a vibrant atmosphere and providing guests with an introduction to Irish culture and hospitality.

A gift exchange was also held on the pier to commemorate Europa’s visit to Kinsale, marking the strong relationship between the cruise industry and the local community and served as a fitting recognition of the vessel’s call to the harbour.

Mayor of the county of Cork, councillor Bernard Moynihan said that the cruise call to Kinsale was overall a success.

“Cruise visits such as this provide an excellent opportunity to showcase everything our region has to offer, from our rich history and cultural heritage to our world class attractions, hospitality and food tourism experiences.

“I would like to thank all those involved in making the visit such a success and wish the passengers and crew every success on the remainder of their journey.”

A Cork County Council spokesperson added: “The visit provided a welcome boost to local tourism and hospitality businesses, with passengers spending time throughout the town and surrounding areas, experiencing Kinsale’s renowned heritage, culture, food offering and a warm welcome.

“The call by Europa represents another successful cruise visit for Kinsale, highlighting the town’s growing reputation as a premier destination for international cruise tourism and its continued appeal to visitors from around the world.”