Bid to replace aging car ferry with €3m update

THE Valentia Island car ferry has operated between Knightstown and Renard Point since 1996, having previously been used in the Maas River of Holland. However, the ferry is now 53 years old and is very much nearing its final seafaring days.

Prior to the arrival of the ferry the village of Knightstown, on the eastern end of the island, and the general Valentia Island area, was, though close to the Ring of Kerry, cut off from its tourist traffic which passed on the main road between Cahirsiveen and Waterville. The tourist potential of Valentia, with its awesome ‘Wild Atlantic’ views and seascapes, as well as other local attractions of heritage and culture, was never properly fulfilled.

The circuit of Valentia is a tourist jewel in the crown, offering panoramic views of such places as the Blasket Islands to the north across Dingle Bay and the Skelligs to the west. The circuit also incorporates such local attractions as the Knightstown sea sports and leisure facilities, the Valentia Island Heritage Centre, the lighthouse, situated in Cromwell’s Point, Geokaun View, Bray Head, the Valentia Ice Cream Parlour, etc.

These views and services are facilitated by an entry through Valentia’s eastern end, via car ferry, and exit through its western region, via the Valentia Bridge, or alternatively an exit back through the ferry.

The role of the development of tourism in South West Kerry cannot be understated as it is becoming increasingly vital to the local economy. The ferry and bridge combined have become a vital part of the infrastructure of the Iveragh area in general, facilitating the flow of tourists off the Ring from Cahirsiveen and Renard through Valentia and on to Portmagee, Ballinskelligs (the Skellig loop) etc.

It incorporates the Wild Atlantic Way in all its splendour and glory.

The ancillary benefits to local hostelries and other services of leisure in the south west Kerry area, as a result, have proven to be huge.

The ferry is also a unique and picturesque mode of travel in the Iveragh area, a mode also very rare in Ireland.

The safe journey of about one quarter of a mile of regular, reliable shuttle roll-on roll-off service is very much a novelty and relaxation period for parents and children alike. Its loss would see Valentia Island and outlying areas as a paradise lost to the Ring of Kerry tourist.

The Valentia Island car ferry catered for about 250,000 people this year and the directors have engaged the services of David Jenkins, from the Isle of Wight, to design a new vessel. It will be a bigger structure, catering for 18 cars and also tour buses, coming at a cost of €3 million.

As a fulfilment of this vital project to the area, they have applied for a capital grant of €2 million from Fáilte Ireland and will provide the remaining €1 million as a ferry investment.

The current car ferry operating at Valentia is now 53 years old.