Spike Island is Europe's leading tourist attraction.

kurtainsider

How can this be?

https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2017/1001/908817-spike-island-named-europes-leading-tourist-attraction/

Arsemageddon

Dunno, maybe because it's a nice place to visit?

kurtainsider

Arsemageddon wrote: »

Dunno, maybe because it's a nice place to visit?

I may be absolutely lovely - but the nicest place in Europe?

bee06

It does seems strange if it's based on number of visitors. The number of people who can go is limited by the number who can fit on the boats. I was there a couple of months ago and it is class. The tour guides are excellent.

foxy farmer

If it's being run by Cork Co Co I wonder how long it'll stay open. They were in charge of the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig too and that closed after 3 yrs.
A lot of artefacts memorabilia attached to the Gunpowder Mills is now to be found in the Spike Island Visitor Centre.

The_Valeyard

Its class to visit, Irelands Alcatraz, just with former joyriders.


Who knows, maybe tourists run out of things to do in Cork very quickly, so everyone flocks there :P

hedzball

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Its class to visit, Irelanss Alcatraz, just with former joyriders.


Who knows, maybe tourists run out of things to do in Cork very quickly, so everyone flocks there :P

Being fair theres more for tourists in Cork and Kerry than the rest of the country combined. Galway is a runner in my opinion but shiote all else that you can't wipe out in a weekend!



'hdz

Welsh Megaman

It looked pretty rubbish when The Stone Roses played there.

The_Valeyard

hedzball wrote: »

Being fair theres more for tourists in Cork and Kerry than the rest of the country combined. Galway is a runner in my opinion but shiote all else that you can't wipe out in a weekend!



'hdz

Doesnt matter ye still shot Collins! :P

Harry Palmr

Presumably this is based on a visitor rating certainly not numbers - more people go up and down the Eiffel Tower than visit Ireland

Mountainsandh

Maybe it's because visits there have "only just" started, so proportionally they have an influx of visitors that went from zero to hero (in comparison to other places that are established longer) ?
I've never been, but it's on the list.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

In fairness, it is lovely there. It's an island, in a harbour, on a bigger island (Ireland) which must be in many ways appealing to visitors from abroad. The view back towards Cobh from there with the massive Cathedral up on the hill is a sight to behold. Think the whole Titanic's last port of call being there plays into the whole folklore around the area for tourists as well.

Many cruise ships dock exactly where the Titanic last set sail from. And from there it is a few minutes walk to the boat that can take you across to Spike Island, so it has a big ease of access factor too.

bee06

foxy farmer wrote: »

If it's being run by Cork Co Co I wonder how long it'll stay open. They were in charge of the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig too and that closed after 3 yrs.
A lot of artefacts memorabilia attached to the Gunpowder Mills is now to be found in the Spike Island Visitor Centre.

They are putting a huge amount of inventment to continue developing it.

It's not just tourists that go either. I'm from Cork I'd I've been once and will be back again. Really want to do the after dark tour.

bear1

kurtainsider wrote: »

How can this be?

https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2017/1001/908817-spike-island-named-europes-leading-tourist-attraction/

So it has had so far 45k people this year which from the sounds of it is more than the amount of people who went to the colosseum..
Yeah nothing weird about that at all.

Whispered

It's an absolutely brilliant morning out. We went as a small group ranging in age from early 60s to 2 yrs old.

The boat over gave amazing views of Cobh, the tour guide was friendly, relaxed but very knowledgable and very passionate about the place. You get the tour then you can explore yourself. Interesting history, some tragic stories, some funny stories, again beautiful views from the bastions, loads of space for the younger kids to run around, coffee shop is good with a nice choice, plenty of space and spotless. And the whole thing only €18.

I was surprised it won best in Europe but delighted for them. Easily our best day out on our cork holiday.

kurtainsider

bear1 wrote: »

So it has had so far 45k people this year which from the sounds of it is more than the amount of people who went to the colosseum..
Yeah nothing weird about that at all.

I just did a quick google
Colosseum - 4 million visitors a year.
Eifel Tower - 6.9 million visitors a year.

I don't know what the criteria is but it ain't visitor numbers

BorneTobyWilde

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Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

wakka12

Im always shocked by the numbers of tourists we get in ireland. I mean it has some nice sites and its a lovely place to visit. But I cant at all see what we have over continental europe or GB. I think Scotland and England have everything you want to see here but better and more of it..nice scenery lakes pubs cute towns and historical cities and churches and castles etc
Especially given how much it costs for north americans and asians ot travel all the way to europe in the first place. I know Id be spending my money in the mainland over ireland if I were them

bee06

Fred Swanson wrote: »

So the whole thing is a fix.

Quality rather than quantity I would say.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

bear1

wakka12 wrote: »

Im always shocked by the numbers of tourists we get in ireland. I mean it has some nice sites and its a lovely place to visit. But I cant at all see what we have over continental europe or GB. I think Scotland and England have everything you want to see here but better and more of it..nice scenery lakes pubs cute towns and historical cities and churches and castles etc
Especially given how much it costs for north americans and asians ot travel all the way here. I know Id be spending my money in europe over ireland

No offence but that's a pretty ignorant post.
Cliffs of moher, Connemara, Kerry, Killarney, Donegal, the beaches along the West coast (surfers come here from all over for the waves) book of kells, Wicklow, Achill island, cruise along the Shannon, giants causeway, island where star wars was shot, Blarney, Clonmel, Waterford, Galway, parts of Dublin, the lakes in fermanagh.
Honestly... we've got a lot to offer.
The only downside is the weather.

billie1b

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo wrote: »

In fairness, it is lovely there. It's an island, in a harbour, on a bigger island (Ireland) which must be in many ways appealing to visitors from abroad. The view back towards Cobh from there with the massive Cathedral up on the hill is a sight to behold. Think the whole Titanic's last port of call being there plays into the whole folklore around the area for tourists as well.

Many cruise ships dock exactly where the Titanic last set sail from. And from there it is a few minutes walk to the boat that can take you across to Spike Island, so it has a big ease of access factor too.

The Titanic didn’t dock in the port, she was too big at the time, she docked outside the harbour and they used tenders to get the people over and back to her.

fergiesfolly

Good luck to them I say.
Brilliant re-working of what was essentially a prison for joyriders a couple of decades past.
And a much better use of the island with its history.
Went to the Titanic exhibition in Cobh a few years ago and it's a lovely scenic part of the world.
The Titanic Belfast exhibition is brilliant and a huge pull for the city. Hopefully, Cork can do likewise.

fryup

its our alcatraz

Uosdwis R. Dewoh

Tourists seem to love Cobh. It recently got some cruise destination accolade for the second time in a row. It does look really pretty on the surface. A lot grittier then it looks though. The whole garrison town thing. Whereas e.g. Kinsale and Clonakilty are as pretty inside and outside.

YFlyer

foxy farmer wrote: »

If it's being run by Cork Co Co I wonder how long it'll stay open. They were in charge of the Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig too and that closed after 3 yrs.
A lot of artefacts memorabilia attached to the Gunpowder Mills is now to be found in the Spike Island Visitor Centre.

Are there more visits compared to Cliffs of Moher?

Uosdwis R. Dewoh

Uosdwis R. Dewoh wrote: »

Tourists seem to love Cobh. It recently got some cruise destination accolade for the second time in a row. It does look really pretty on the surface. A lot grittier then it looks though. The whole garrison town thing. Whereas e.g. Kinsale and Clonakilty are as pretty inside and outside.

I love West Cork but not a huge fan of either town, they're real tourist traps, and with little in the line of scenery, sights etc. within the towns, nicely turned out but ultimately just rows of restaurants. I prefer Cobh, which has that old Victorian sea front, steep hills, the Cathedral etc. And in West Cork prefer the seaside villages, Crookhaven, Schull, Baltimore, Union Hall, Courtmac etc. Though Scallys Super Valu in Clon is one great shop.

Hard to imagine Spike as a great tourist attraction, well worth seeing and well done, but far from the best around Cork, let alone Ireland or internationally.

Noveight

YFlyer wrote: »

Are there more visits compared to Cliffs of Moher?

Cliffs of Moher had just under 1.5 million visits in 2016, second most visited only to the Guinness Storehouse who had 1.6 million.

MonkieSocks

There was an Arms Dump there in the early 70s belonging to the Defence Forces


Lots of Rifels, Ammo, Grenades and Mortars.

The Government got a tip it was going to be robbed by the IRA in mid 1975.

For the next couple of years, the place was guarded 24/7 with armed Sailors from Haulbowline Island.

YFlyer

Noveight wrote: »

Cliffs of Moher had just under 1.5 million visits in 2016, second most visited only to the Guinness Storehouse who had 1.6 million.

More Brazilians at the Cliffs.

JupiterKid

So Spike Island is now more popular than The Eiffel Tower, The Alps, Amsterdam, The Colesseum, The Vatican, The Tower of London, etc?

Someone's on a lot of LSD. Or Coke. Or both...

the_syco

JupiterKid wrote: »

So Spike Island is now more popular than The Eiffel Tower, The Alps, Amsterdam, The Colesseum, The Vatican, The Tower of London, etc?

How many of the above places count the amount of people going to it?

RocketRaccoon

What is with the begrudgery in this place? Who cares how it was judged? Can we not just be glad that a genuine top class tourist attraction in Ireland has won the award?

Wardling

kurtainsider wrote:

How can this be?

Cobh is a destination for a lot of cruise ships now. Plenty people are bussed out to cashel or some other surrounding attractions but I'm guessing a fair share visit the island.

RocketRaccoon

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

What is with the begrudgery in this place? Who cares how it was judged? Can we not just be glad that a genuine top class tourist attraction in Ireland has won the award?

Yes.

It's begrudgery. Anyone questioning it obviously seethes about Spike Island, hates it when it does well.

Ash.J.Williams

Mountainsandh wrote: »

Maybe it's because visits there have "only just" started, so proportionally they have an influx of visitors that went from zero to hero (in comparison to other places that are established longer) ?
I've never been, but it's on the list.

i heard it's amazing

whisky_galore

Uosdwis R. Dewoh wrote: »

The whole garrison town thing. Whereas e.g. Kinsale and Clonakilty are as pretty inside and outside.

LoL.
"Garrison town"...how long are the British gone from it now? Why not blame the nasty ould Brits for the shortcomings of the locals?

And FYI Kinsale was also a "Garrison town" and it was as rough as a badger's ar*e before the whole gourmet food thing and gentrification.

Kermit.de.frog

wakka12 wrote: »

I know Id be spending my money in the mainland over ireland if I were them

The mainland being Europe? Only "mainland" is Ireland here.

grogi

bear1 wrote: »

So it has had so far 45k people this year which from the sounds of it is more than the amount of people who went to the colosseum..
Yeah nothing weird about that at all.

The Collosseum (in Rome - if that's what you are referring to) attracts 4 mln visitors a year.

I don't think is about absolute numbers, Tesco Wilton sees more visitors than 45k and it didn't win.

CeilingFly

wakka12 wrote: »

Im always shocked by the numbers of tourists we get in ireland. I mean it has some nice sites and its a lovely place to visit. But I cant at all see what we have over continental europe or GB. I think Scotland and England have everything you want to see here but better and more of it..nice scenery lakes pubs cute towns and historical cities and churches and castles etc
Especially given how much it costs for north americans and asians ot travel all the way to europe in the first place. I know Id be spending my money in the mainland over ireland if I were them

One thing Ireland has more than enough of are whining naysayers that never ever see anything good.

I wsih those people would fcuk off and emigrate.

grogi

CeilingFly wrote: »

One thing Ireland has more than enough of are whining naysayers that never ever see anything good.

I wsih those people would fcuk off and emigrate.

I've immigrated to Ireland - and share the same sentiment.

It really helps to have a bit of perspective and try to be objective. It prevents people from getting trapped in a bubble and allows to make things better. There are good things and bad things in this country, but it will be much better if everyone knows what the bad stuff is.

Balmed Out

There would hardly be an annual award if it were simply the best, we would just hand it to the vatican or somewhere each year same place. The award is for whatever industry professionals deem to be best managed during the year. Size, visitor numbers etc are irrelevant.
Cobh itself has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. It was very rough but has so much potential and looks to become similar to what a Dun Laoighre is to Dublin.
As for the comment that Clonakilty is a tourist trap ha, ha. I wouldnt even consider it touristy having lived here for 7 years. Its not like a Kinsale, Killorglin, kenmare, Killarney etc. It gets some tourists but most pubs will have more locals then tourists and there isnt a paddywhakery shop in sight.

elperello

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Well I wouldn't go that far just now.
Let's just say that it is slightly concerning that this is our third year in a row winning this title.
TItanic Centre won in 2016 and Guinness Storehouse in 2015.
All are very nice attractions but before I rush to pull on the green Jersey I'd like to know more about this competition.
For instance they voted Aeroflot as Europe's leading airline brand.

whisky_galore

elperello wrote: »

Guinness Storehouse

Must be the only brewery tour in the world where you can't access the factory floor. There was a time you could do just that.. would be far more interesting than an overpriced tour of the storehouse.

Hector Savage

fiddling the stats

Del.Monte

CeilingFly wrote: »

One thing Ireland has more than enough of are whining naysayers that never ever see anything good.

I wsih those people would fcuk off and emigrate.

Is that you Bertie? :rolleyes:

kurtainsider

A lot of people are discussing the merits of Spike Island in comparison to Kinsale, Cobh, Blarney etc.

It may hold its own against these places. However, it won a completion where it was pitted against the Eiffel tower, the Colosseum, the Sagrada Familia, Buckingham Palace, the Acropolis.....

Now no disrespect to Spike Island but come on - in fairness.

elperello

https://www.worldtravelawards.com/
Have a look at the web site.

There are about 117 different categories for Europe alone. They also cover other regions.

It's a London based outfit trading since 1993.

Strange thing is there are no staff/management names attached.

the_syco

kurtainsider wrote: »

How can this be?

https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2017/1001/908817-spike-island-named-europes-leading-tourist-attraction/

Is this a eurovision type thing that the winner has to host the next years one?

_Dara_

bear1 wrote: »

No offence but that's a pretty ignorant post.
Cliffs of moher, Connemara, Kerry, Killarney, Donegal, the beaches along the West coast (surfers come here from all over for the waves) book of kells, Wicklow, Achill island, cruise along the Shannon, giants causeway, island where star wars was shot, Blarney, Clonmel, Waterford, Galway, parts of Dublin, the lakes in fermanagh.
Honestly... we've got a lot to offer.
The only downside is the weather.

Don’t think it’s ignorant at all. You could make that list and more for any of the countries he mentioned. And some of them have much better weather.

For me, the Cliffs of Moher aren’t all that for example. I’ve seen cliffs in Cornwall and the south coast of England to trounce them.