Ireland’s only cable car service is reopening to the public after a €1.6m upgrade.
The Dursey Island Cable Car will carry its first passengers since last March when it fully reopens at 3:30pm today.
The historic tourist attraction was originally opened in 1969 by then-Taoiseach Jack Lynch.
Located on the Beara Peninsula in west Cork, the cable was built to support islanders who often faced isolation during bad weather due to the hazardous tidal race in the Dursey Sound.
Originally it carried both passengers and livestock; however, the last livestock crossing happened in January 2021.
Officially reopening the car this afternoon, Cork Mayor Danny Collins described it as a “truly unique” attraction that holds "immense historical and cultural significance for the people of Cork".
“This service is not only an important transport link but also a cherished attraction that adds to the natural beauty and tourism potential of our region,” he said.
Nowadays the car is mostly used by tourists and farmers and has seen a surge in popularity in recent years – increasing from 12,000 visitors in 2015 to an average of over 21,000 a year.
The car can carry up to six passengers per trip and takes seven-and-a-half minutes each way.
