Dáil debates
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Tourism Promotion
3:00 pm
Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his appointment and wish the Minister well in his new position.
It is essential that the Midleton to Youghal railway line is reopened for the sake of boosting tourism in east Cork. Businesses would benefit from more trade, while the local economy in Youghal would benefit from increased tourism. There are many opportunities for tourism promotion in east Cork which includes the Cobh Heritage Centre, Fota Wildlife Park, the Jameson Heritage Centre in Midleton and various sites of historical significance in Youghal. We should focus on bringing visitors to this area. Will the Minister work with the Minister for Transport to establish steam train excursions from Youghal to Midleton, beginning with a feasibility study of reopening the line? The tourism sector in Youghal could form part of a broader strategy to enhance the local economy and increase local employment.
David Holdsworth
Posted on 28 May 2011 12:11 pm (Report this comment)
At last some sense on the Midleton - Youghal Railway.
I have written on quite a few website comments pages on this subject. I feel that this line would be ideal for the establishment of a heritage line, which would bring prosperity to the Youghal area and town. When one looks at the effect the lines in England have on the local areas for example The North York Moors and West Somerset to name but two of the great number of such lines in the U.K. There is a great untaped market in Ireland for railway tourists and people with children that would flock to this line and area. The difference in guage to the U.K. is an added attraction. I.R. should be ashamed at the state that they have allowed this line to get into, however, many lines in the U.K. have been reopened that have been much more difficult cases and the problems have been surmounted. How about setting up a pressure group for this line like West On Track.