TOURISM chiefs have a golden opportunity to steer Donegal into an elite lane that anchors the county as a global cruise ship destination, it is claimed.
The lucrative international market is already fully established with harbour town Killybegs building on its traditional fishing village origins to become a trailblazer for Donegal.
Other coastal towns like Rathmullan, Buncrana, and Greencastle could now also be set to benefit from the European cruise industry that is worth close to €2 billion annually.
Donegal’s Wild Atlantic Way coastal region is increasingly positioning itself to benefit from that growing market, according to well-informed members of Donegal County Council, which is a part of all-island marketing body Cruise Ireland.
The Queen Anne was the largest cruise ship ever in Donegal when it visited Killybegs. Credit: Cunard.
Cllr Pauric McGarvey caused ripples earlier this year when he hoisted a proposal to attract cruise ships to Rathmullan, which is second deepest natural harbour in Ireland at 14 metres.
He said: “This is an opportunity not just for Rathmullan but also for this part of Donegal.”
The Donegal News this week reported that tourism specialists have been appointed to develop a cruise ship strategy for Rathmullan.
Local community company Rathmullan The Way Forward, which was established in 2018 to develop the area in partnership with council funding of €1.3m, has now launched its cruise tourism strategy.
A spokesperson said: “We will examine whether Rathmullan could responsibly welcome smaller boutique vessels.
“We want to understand how boutique cruise tourism can support local businesses, extend the tourism season, and create lasting economic benefits.”
In response, Cllr McGarvey told the Donegal News: “We are going in the right direction. Donegal County Council is on board and it’s all very positive.
“I would love to see a cruise ship soon coming into Lough Swilly. It will be a great day. KIllybegs started out with an idea.”
He added: “Cllr Niamh Kennedy told me yesterday that Killybegs is due to welcome three cruise ships this week.”
In 2024, Cllr Niamh Kennedy was the first Independent female councillor to be elected as Cathaoirleach and only the fourth woman in the 125 year history of Donegal County Council.
Cllr Kennedy told this newspaper: “It is 100 per cent true that the county can attract cruise ships. Killybegs started attracting vessels for tourism 20 years ago.
“We now get 25 cruise ships a year and that could be 30 by next year. The tourists come into the town from the ship and then return as solo travellers.
“So they are certainly a great benefit to the county and Killybegs would help any area that wants to learn from our success. This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole county.
“The amount of people that were on the shore of Mullaghderg Bay to see the replica Spanish Armada vessel, El Galeón Andalucía, shows the public interest.”
Cllr Kennedy, who works from the Killybegs Information Centre, added: “Cruise ships are great to see. At night, they light up and it is so attractive for some people. Donegal County Council is a member of Cruise Ireland which will also help.”
Cruise Ireland is the all-island marketing body responsible for promoting Ireland to international cruise itinerary planners and operators.
Through Cruise Ireland, the council has access to key decision-makers across the global cruise sector, while Donegal is represented at major industry events, trade shows and familiarisation programmes attended by leading cruise lines.
Killybegs welcomed the Queen Anne, the newest luxury cruise ship operated by Cunard Line, in May.
Weighing 113,000 gross tonnes and spanning 14 passenger decks, the vessel carries more than 4,200 passengers and crew, and its berth in Donegal is another major milestone for the county.
In June, Holland America Line vessel Nieuw Statendam docked in Greencastle.
Last year, the Luxury Silver Spirit Cruise Ship made its inaugural visit to Greencastle and Killybegs.
ECONOMIC BOOST
The number of cruise ships visiting Ireland this year is expected to rise by 14 per cent compared with 2025, bringing an estimated 750,000 passengers.
According to industry figures, cruise passengers spend an average of €81 at each port they visit, while crew members spend an average of €29 ashore.
Cllr Jack Murray is in Buncrana across from Rathmullan and told the Donegal News: “Buncrana undoubtedly has the potential to benefit from these latest developments.
“The depth of Lough Swilly may limit the ability of larger cruise ships to come directly into the town, but that should not prevent us from exploring investment in suitable infrastructure to allow passengers to come ashore by tender.
“Cruise tourism could provide a significant boost for local shops, cafés, restaurants, transport providers and visitor attractions.
“The priority should be to develop the infrastructure and coordinated visitor experiences needed to ensure Buncrana and the wider peninsula benefit from any growth in cruise tourism around Lough Swilly.”
He added: “Buncrana has a huge amount to offer visitors. We have Swan Park, the coastal walks and beaches, Ned’s Point, the historic town centre, excellent restaurants and hospitality, and we are ideally placed as a gateway to the wider Inishowen peninsula.”