Page 12 - COBH EDITION 1st NOVEMBER DIGITAL VERSION

Cobh Tourism organised a full day of festivities and local performers included
Niamh O’Connor, Sean Damery, the Cowhie Ryan dancers,
Forever Young, Cobh Confraternity Band and a rousing
performance by Gaelic Brew. The Blessing of the Bonnets
Ceremony reminded us of the most tangible link between
Australia and Cork Harbour and is an emotional experience
for many passengers. “Hutch” the destination lecturer on
board the Sea Princess had informed passengers of the
many activities to enjoy in Cobh.

The Rob Roy Bar, a Cobh Tourism member was teeming
with passengers. Among them was the Cruise Director
Jody who posted on her Instagram: Absolutely in love with
Cobh!! Spending some time with the locals. After some singing and dancing she
declared: What a great day! Wow! The world cruise from Sydney to Sydney has
Cobh included as a port of call on Tuesday 30th June 2020 with a 10pm departure.
This will be the 10th “Australia Day” celebration in Cobh!! That’s what happens
when a community comes together to welcome visitors!

Social Media Campaign
Throughout May, June and July our advertising strategy in partnership with ETC –
the events, tourism and communications agency focussed on a targeted Facebook
campaign. Our initial target was visitors to Cork, people in
the wider Cork region and in Munster and reached 53,000
people with an Instant Experience view percentage of
almost 80%.
Later our target was everyone who had engaged with the
initial campaign. Overall the campaign reached 117,000
people with 775,000 impressions and an additional 10,000
visitors to visitcobh.com
Town Development Fund upgrades
The western entrance to the Deep Water Quay is unappealing at best and this is
where Cruise passengers arrive back to after their excursions. The majority of ex-
cursions are half day tours in the morning time and so passengers must be encour-
aged more to explore Cobh when they return.
Cobh Tourism and Cobh Tidy Towns submitted a joint proposal under the Town
Development fund to raise the existing flower bed with a low wall and to replant
the flower beds in a style similar to The Promenade planting. This will have all year
round interest, plants for pollinators and plenty of colour. T

he Time to Explore highly visual signage will outline that Cobh is just a few foot-
steps away and waiting to be explored and enjoyed. This signage will be visible
from the side windows of the bus as opposed to the front and will be on both sides.
We are delighted that funding from Cork County Council of €6500 has been ap-
proved and the work will be completed in time for the 2020 Cruise season