Last cruise liner of the season sails off into the sunset
There was great excitement in Killybegs last Thursday in Killybegs as the last, and the biggest, cruise ship of the season visited the busy fishing port.
Staff from the Killybegs Tourist Information Centre and the Killybegs Cruise Committee were there to welcome the Marco Polo, with its 850 passengers and 350 crew, as it docked just before 8am. They, along with several volunteers, answered the visitors queries as they disembarked and advised them on the best options to spend the gloriously sunny day in port.
Skilled artisans offered their wares during the day at a special Crafts Fair in the Bayview Hotel. Some even gave away the secrets of their trade, offering demonstrations of traditional Irish hand-knitting and Celtic writing.
A fleet of buses and tour guides were also on hand to take visitors on excursions, including the Hidden Gems tour of Donegal’s south west coast and the Sliabh Liag cliffs.
Although the number of ships visiting Killybegs is down on last year, the cruise committee are delighted that they managed to secure their first overnight stay by a cruise liner earlier this month, and that such high numbers are still making their way to Killybegs. “The feedback we have been getting is wonderful, and many of those who first visit here on a cruise are returning to Donegal for longer stays. This all bodes extremely well for the future of tourism here in south west Donegal,” a tired but happy Ann McHugh concluded at the Marco Polo set out to sea.
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Weather for Donegal
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
