Cork County Council Harbours Welcomes a Strong 2026 Cruise Season
Eight cruise ships are set to visit Kinsale, Bere Island and Youghal between May and September, bringing over 1,840 passengers to Cork's coast.
Cork's coastal communities are set for a busy summer on the water, with eight cruise ship calls scheduled between May and September at harbours managed by Cork County Council.
The 2026 season will bring over 1,840 passengers and more than 1,170 crew to Kinsale, Bere Island and Youghal, delivering a welcome boost to local businesses and tourism across the county.
Kinsale Harbour will host six of the eight calls, welcoming vessels including Le Lyrial, Le Bellot, L'Austral, Le Champlain, Europa and SH Diana. The season gets under way on Sunday, 10 May 2026, with the arrival of Le Lyrial, a visit that coincides with Sea Sunday. August will bring one of the season's standout moments, when the Europa by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises calls to Kinsale, carrying more than 400 passengers aboard one of the world's most prestigious luxury cruise ships.
Bere Island will welcome the Island Sky, operated by Noble Caledonia, in September, offering passengers an opportunity to explore the island's heritage and landscapes. Youghal Harbour will host a cruise call in May, also with Le Lyrial, giving visitors a chance to discover one of Ireland's most historic port towns.
Premium and expedition operators feature prominently throughout the season, with Ponant accounting for five of the eight scheduled calls, alongside Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Swan Hellenic and Noble Caledonia.
Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork, said:
"The 2026 cruise season reflects the continued strength of Cork's harbour network and the confidence international cruise operators have in our coastal destinations. Each visit brings real benefits for local businesses and communities. As a proud Youghal woman, I'm especially delighted to see a cruise call returning to my hometown in 2026, giving visitors the chance to experience Youghal's exceptional heritage, seaside setting and warm hospitality. Cruise tourism plays an important role in supporting sustainable economic activity right across County Cork."
Cork County Council says it will continue to work with local communities, tourism stakeholders and cruise operators to ensure well-managed visits for passengers and crew.