The deep-sea water port at Moneypoint Port could be utilised to attract cruise ships to dock and explore the Wild Atlantic Way in West Clare.
That's according to West Clare county councillor, Dinny Gould (IND) who has asked Clare County Council to explore an opportunity to boost tourism in the region by capitalising on Moneypoint Port.
He has suggested the Council utilise the port to attract cruise ships to dock enabling passengers to travel on and explore West Clare's Wild Atlantic Way.
He highlighted to the October meeting of the local authority that he has seen several big ships dock in Foynes with cruise visitors then bussed via Limerick to Bunratty and North Clare.
"Is this something we can investigate with the use of Moneypoint now that we no longer have coal ships docking?" he questioned when tabling his motion.
He told the chamber that if the Council could do business with Moneypoint or ESB, they could potentially get cruise ships there in the summer, enabling visitors to tour local attractions like Vandeleur Gardens at Kilrush or Loop Head Lighthouse, which would be a big win for West Clare.
He also highlighted that there are in the region of 2,000 people on the cruise ships.
Councillor Tom O'Callaghan (FF) supported the motion saying it is a "firm" opportunity because bed spaces are restricted in county Clare, saying he would like to see the Council progress their reply as much as possible.
Councillor Ian Lynch (Ind) supported the motion saying it is something with great potential and they need to look at.
He also reminded the meeting he previously tabled a motion in 2021 asking the Council to look at the potential of cruise ship business in collaboration with Limerick, however nothing was done and since then, cruise ships entering the Shannon Estuary continue to berth at Foynes.
Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) described it as a "fantastic" motion saying it could bring tourism in the region into the stratosphere.
He said as a native of Cobh, he knows buses leave cruise ships there and travel on to Blarney or further afield, and the town is thriving on the back of it.
Councillor Michael Shannon (FF) welcomed the motion saying ships are currently docking in Foynes and coming around to Doolin in North Clare.
"We have a Director of Tourism and we have a good product, and this has to be a natural extension of the product...it's about get the physical infrastructure there to benefit it, and it won't cost a lot of money," he said.
He also highlighted there are up to 500 rooms on the ships, and that this is a sector they can ensure they deliver on.
Councillor Joe Killeen (FF) said it is an opportunity, they have all the components, and they must get working on it and keep it moving, or else it will take five years.
Councillor John Crowe (FG) described the proposal as a "no brainer" highlighting that the 500 acres at Moneypoint saying they had a close working relationship with ESB throughout the years.
Councillor Conor Ryan (FG) said with the lack of overnight stay accommodation in the county, he would be delighted to see cruise ships coming to Clare acting as a floating hotel.
Deirdre O'Shea, Senior Executive Officer, Tourism Festivals and Events says the council has a strong relationship with the ESB.
"A key strategic objective of the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 is to explore the feasibility of attracting an appropriate segment of the cruise sector in a sustainable manner to County Clare and to this end it is intended to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of this measure," she said at the meeting.
"Moneypoint site is in the ownership of ESB with whom we have a strong working relationship and indeed we have collaborated with them on a potential tourism promotional package specifically for West Clare.
"We continue to work with Shannon Foynes Port Company to provide both full day and half day itineraries for Clare with a focus on West Clare to disperse tourists across the county."