Luxury Cruise Ship Makes Maiden Call to Schull as Cork Enjoys Record Season
Luxury cruise ship Hebridean Sky makes maiden call to Schull as Cork County enjoys record 25-ship season with 4,000 passengers expected in 2025.
West Cork welcomed its latest maritime visitors on Saturday as the expedition cruise ship Hebridean Sky made her inaugural call to Schull Harbour, marking another milestone in what's shaping up to be Cork County's busiest cruise season to date.
The 90-metre vessel, operated by Noble Caledonia, anchored off the Schull coast on 14th June as part of her Britain and Ireland Odyssey voyage. The luxurious small ship carried 93 guests and 80 crew members on the journey from Portsmouth to Aberdeen, with the West Cork stop providing passengers a taste of the region's rugged coastal beauty.
Guests were transferred to Schull pontoon before taking the scenic route to Mizen Head, Ireland's most south-westerly point. Upon their return, visitors explored Schull village, sampling local shops and hospitality whilst Cork County Council staff provided information about regional attractions.
The visit included a formal ceremony aboard the vessel, where ship's officers welcomed Cllr Danny Collins, Deputy Chairperson of the West Cork Municipal District, and Cork County Council officials for a traditional gift exchange to commemorate the maiden call.
Cllr Collins said:
"We are proud to showcase what makes County Cork so special to a growing number of international visitors. There are a record number of calls this year with 25 cruise ships set to visit Cork County Council's harbours in 2025. Ships will also visit Kinsale, Baltimore, Bere Island, Youghal and Ballycotton. Approximately 4,000 cruise passengers are expected to visit from these calls, contributing to the local economy and supporting our tourism industry."
Cork County's strategic maritime position continues to attract international cruise operators, with the county boasting one of Ireland's longest coastlines at 1,199 kilometres and seven inhabited islands within easy reach of the shore. The diverse harbours across the county provide cruise lines with multiple destination options along the spectacular southwest coast.
The strong 2025 cruise season reflects growing international recognition of Cork's coastal attractions, from the dramatic cliffs of Mizen Head to the historic ports of Kinsale and Youghal, with each call bringing valuable tourism revenue to local communities.
