The Foynes and wider region received a summer tourism boost last week when a luxury cruise liner on a nostalgic voyage docked at the busy shipping port.
The Prinsendam, a Holland America Line ship, which is on its final voyage after 17 years sailing around the world, anchored at 6.30am off Foynes Island for 12 hours, bringing hundreds of tourists into the West Limerick town and beyond into Kerry ,West Clare and Limerick County .
Approximately 100 (out of 800+) passengers stayed local, making their way to Foynes village where they enjoyed the must-loved, award winning Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum.
Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) CEO, Pat Keating said t
“It delivered a really nice tourism boost for the area, with the passengers visiting Limerick, Clare and Kerry.
Mr Keating added that while cargo is the core activity, the port authority was delighted to welcome this business. “It was a busy morning and the cruise ship brought a great buzz to the area.
“By anchoring at Foynes Island, cruise liners can easily be accommodated at Foynes as it gives us more capacity in addition to the actual docks itself. Hopefully we will get to welcome many more cruise vessels to Foynes.”
The Prinsendam is the first cruise liner welcomed to Foynes this year, with another scheduled to dock next month, July 5th. The M/S Prinsendam is the smallest ship in Holland America Line’s fleet at 204metres. The ship accommodates up to 835 guests and a crew of 470.