News

 

The ferry sailings were halted last month after operators Fastnet Line blamed a hike in oil prices for “hampering” the popular service. Tourism income on both sides of the Irish Sea was said to have been reduced by £25m as a result of the loss of sailings.

 

The company, a subsidiary of the West Cork Tourism Co-operative, went into examinership under Irish law and the co-operative says it needs to raise the seven-figure sum to leave examinership.

 

It has already been successful in raising £65,000, with Kerry County Council pledging £20,000 to the service.

 

Fastnet employs seven people in Cork and an average 53 contracted staff on board the ferry at any given time.

 

The company said that in the past 18 months its ferry, the MV Julia, had carried more than 150,000 customers between South Wales and Cork.