A huge hello to Dublin!

DUBLIN’S hard-working tugs were dwarfed by the latest arrival to our shores last week in the shape of the 59,000 tonne luxury cruise ship the MSC Lirica.

Calling in on her maiden visit to Ireland the massive vessel is among 90 cruise ships due into Dublin Port this year.

Worth an estimated US

?¬250 million luxury the 251 metre Lirica with almost 3,000 passengers and crew on board sailed into Dublin Port at 7am on Tuesday morning.

Carrying passengers mainly from Germany, Austria, Spain, France and Italy, the ship boasts an array of luxurious facilities including swimming pools, health spa, Turkish baths, nightclubs and a cabaret, theatre, casino, bars, restaurants and shopping.

Her arrival marks the first of two cruise calls to the capital that were secured by Dublin Port Company with leading cruise company MSC Cruises.

The MSC Lirica will return to Dublin on August 25 as part of Dublin Port Company’s ongoing efforts to attract valuable tourism business to the city.

In addition, Dublin Port Company will welcome two further new cruise calls from MSC Cruises with the arrival of the e547million, 294 metre MSC Magnifica already scheduled to make her maiden call to Dublin Port in May 2013.

The arrival of these luxury cruise ships generates a significant boost to Dublin of between

?¬35 and

?¬50 million for the local economy, bringing over 100,000 high spend passengers and crew to the city and surrounding areas’ shops, attractions and eateries each year.

According to the Port Company, the cruise sector has become a hugely important part of the city’s tourism product.

It is estimated that cruise liners have contributed over

?¬350 million to the city in the last decade alone.

Eamonn O’Reilly, Chief Executive, said: “Dublin Port Company is delighted to welcome MSC Lirica on her maiden call to Ireland as one of 90 luxury cruise liners scheduled to call in to Dublin this year.

“We’re in the heart of Dublin and developing a strong reputation as the go-to city for high end cruise calls thanks to our proximity to shops, eateries and tourist attractions, as well as Dublin airport.

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Naoise � Muirí, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, added:

“It’s fantastic to see Dublin developing a reputation as a world-class cruise tourism destination year on year. I congratulate Dublin Port Company on its efforts to secure the addition of MSC Cruises as part of its busy cruise schedule this year.