By Chris Ashmore
RATHMULLAN could be lining itself up to get a slice of the massive European cruise business which is worth more than €1.7 billion annually.
Last year a major €4.6 million refurbishment project was completed at the pier at the seaside village and Donegal County Council’s Tourism Unit is now actively promoting the county’s marine and cruise tourism offerings – including Rathmullan – through a combination of strategic partnerships, marketing initiatives, and industry engagement.
The Council is a member of Cruise Ireland, the all-island marketing body responsible for promoting Ireland to international cruise itinerary planners and operators.
Through Cruise Ireland, the Council benefits from access to key decision makers across the global cruise sector and Donegal is represented at industry events, trade shows, and familiarisation programmes attended by major cruise lines.
Now the Council is revamping its cruise brochure under a ‘Cruise Donegal’ brand, and significantly, it is also looking at the possibility of inviting expressions of interest in relation to Rathmullan from cruise operators through Cruise Ireland.
The potential economic spin-off for Rathmullan and the surrounding area if it can attract cruise ships was highlighted this week by Cllr Pauric McGarvey who submitted a motion on the subject to the monthly meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Council.
He was told that the Council is highlighting why cruise operators should visit Donegal and positioning the offering “as an attractive and good value option” for them.
Indeed, he was also informed that Fáilte Ireland is working with local attractions to deliver “cruise ready programmes” and the Council is also engaging with Excursions Ireland, who deal with many of the group tours in and around the county when cruise ships dock in the various ports.
“This is an opportunity not just for Rathmullan but also for this part of Donegal,” Cllr McGarvey said.
He stated that it has the “second deepest natural harbour in Ireland at 14 metres” which is “more than enough” for large vessels and cruise ships.
Welcoming the response from officials, he said: “It would be a proud day to see a cruise ship coming up around Kinnegar Head.”
Cllr Liam Blaney second his motion calling on the Council to seek expressions of interest for cruise companies to use Rathmullan.
“It is a very timely motion to push for cruise ships to come into Rathmullan,” he said.
Killybegs has already developed a significant cruise ship business and there are 17 vessels scheduled to visit this year. Greencastle will also have seven ships visiting, but they have to dock off-shore. Like Killybegs, Rathmullan has the advantage of having deep water quayside berthing.
The Tourism Unit is also working with local partners including the Rathmullan the Way Forward group.
The number of cruise ships visiting Ireland this year is set to rise by 14 per cent on 2025, with an estimated 750,000 passengers.
According to industry sources onshore cruise passengers spend an average of €81 at each port they visit, while crew members spend €29.
