John Dolan: This has to be the finest café view in Cork... and all Ireland

Every cloud, and all that.

It’s been a glorious summer, and Cork has basked in sunshine and warmth for months on end.

The bad news is that this is seen as a sign that climate change is real and advancing at an alarming rate, not just in Ireland, but across the broiling and wildfire-riven continent.

The good news, in comparison, may sound a little trite, but there is a growing belief that this country can become a haven for tourists in the years ahead.

In a volte-face that nobody saw coming in the rain-lashed Irish summers of the past, the theory goes that the good people of Spain, Italy, the UK, and France will be keen to abandon their unbearably hot homes and head for a break to the sunny but still temperate climes of Ireland.

This will of course be a shot in the arm for our economy and hospitality industry, if not so much for our transport infrastructure.

It also means busy times ahead for our tourism industry, as we strive to convince people that there is plenty to see and do on this little island, and not just a cooling breeze.

The template has been set in recent times with the successful inauguration of the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East, but I reckon here in Cork we have a head start on everyone else when it comes to beautiful places to visit

As luck would have it, I have had a summer of staycations in Cork this year while the nation has basked in heatwaves, and the Rebel County has so much to attract tourists - we just need to get the word out.

One balmy summer’s day earlier this month, I visited Fort Camden Meagher in Crosshaven with my family, and was immersed in its history and heritage. There is even a new marine experience there where you can get up close to the exotic creatures of Cork Harbour.

To get a break from the sun, we entered the café on site and found a table indoors. When the waiter came over, he told us we could always sit outside if we wanted. There was an outside area? There sure was!

When you walk out to the balcony decking, you are greeted by what I reckon is the finest café view not just in Cork, but in all of Ireland. It is truly breathtaking.

The large, elevated balcony affords punters a panoramic view of iconic Cork locations like Cobh and Spike Island, all set across the shimmering blue of the harbour.

Wow, I thought, why doesn’t anybody know about this place? It’s the sort of view that you want to announce to the world.

Now, I’m aware that other cafés in Cork will stake their own claim to the finest sea view. Last summer, The Echo ran an article about the stunning scenery at Corkbeg Café, on an old pier in Whitegate, while the much-missed Bunnyconnellan’s in Myrtleville had a vista that took the breath away in the sunshine.

Cork city has its own fine views, of course, Bell’s Coffee & Crepes allows you to sip a latte while viewing the skyline from Bell’s Field, and the Montenotte Hotel also has a balcony with views to die for.

It got me thinking that Cork really needs to stop taking these views for granted and to sell them as part of the Rebel County experience.

We have so many views, as well as attractions, and pretty towns and villages. During my staycations, I have visited beautiful places like Bere Island, Bantry, Glengarriff, Spike Island (which I reported on last week), Crosshaven, and Kinsale.

If these places were in France or Spain, we would go mad for them.

Climate change could really put Cork on the European tourist map, and there are signs the surge has already begun. Central Statistics Office figures show a large increase in foreign visitors this year - 661,500 completed a trip to Ireland in May, up 18% on last May.

Almost half of overnight foreign visitors indicated the main purpose of their trip was for holidays, leisure and recreation, as opposed to trips to see relatives or on business.

Visitors from the UK accounted for the largest share, at 36%, compared with continental Europe (33%), North America (26%), and the rest of the world (4%).

Cork-based Michael Magner, who recently served as president of the Irish Hotels Federation, said : “There is some evidence to suggest tourists are steering clear of the sweltering heat destinations during the months particularly of July and August.”

He spoke of an opportunity to entice more here.

Gougane Barra Hotel manager Neil Lucey agreed. “I firmly believe we have a chance to get a marketing campaign going in Europe to express our greenness, our calmness, and our coolness,” he said.

Seamus Heaney of Visit Cork said he had met Italian tourists who had googled ‘where can I go that is not as hot as Italy, and that is not a capital city?’ Cork came up in the top search.

“So, they came here by accident as opposed to by choice,” he said. “When they were here, they were pleasantly surprised by what they got in Cork.”

I think we should do be doing more to put the word out - and slapping the photo of the Crosshaven café on a tourist advert would be a good start.