Cobh Answers Ireland’s Call

The See You in Cobh Committee, namely Claire Cullinane, Kevin Cullinane, Ursula Duffy, Michael Hade, Tony Nolan, Gloria O’Doherty, Julie O’Driscoll, Jim O’Rourke and Hendrick Verwey recently entered the Your Country Your Call competition. This competition provided a unique opportunity to extol the virtues of developing a coastal tourism and recreation industry in Ireland with Cobh as the pioneering centre.

The essence of the 23 page submission is as follows:

Ireland has the potential to be recognised internationally as Europe’s Capital of Coastal Tourism and Recreation and Cobh, Co. Cork, at the mouth of the northern hemisphere’s largest natural harbour – Cork Harbour – has the desire and determination to become the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s development of Coastal Tourism and Recreation with the injection of indigenous seed capital from this Your Country, Your Call competition.

Of all the activities that take place in communities close to our coastline and the near-shore coastal seas and ocean, none is increasing in both volume and diversity more than coastal tourism and recreation. Both the dynamic nature of this sector and its magnitude demand that it be actively taken into account in Government plans, policies and programmes related to our coast and the seas off our shoreline.

Our Case Study shows how one coastal town with cross-community support, a rich maritime history, a unique natural harbour, a Victorian streetscape, an iconic Cathedral, an established port of call for cruise liners and a successful reputation for embracing Coastal Tourism and Recreational opportunities in the past can be revitalised and redirected to punch above its weight once again and offer Tourists a quality experience that is unrivalled in Europe.

Ireland’s future tourism offering can be as promising as its history is proud by embracing the opportunities its coast and coastal populations can offer; something that is unique, unequalled and unrivalled; a new brand promise that offers Irish tourism a compelling unique selling proposition.

This is Cobh’s answer to Ireland’s Call:

Ireland – Europe’s Capital of Coastal Tourism and Recreation.

The submission was accompanied by a short video of stunning photographs produced by Michael Hade with the  voice over by Claire Cullinane. It may be viewed as can the full submission on www.seeyouincobh.com.