West Cork is being promoted as a gay-friendly tourist destination, with a strong LGBT heritage.
BY PETER ALLEN
WEST Cork is being promoted as a gay-friendly tourist destination, with a strong LGBT heritage.
Journalists from large gay publications from the US, such as The Advocate and Out Traveler, recently spent the weekend in Cork, along with writers from British lesbian magazine Diva.
The trip was instigated by the Visit Cork initiative, supported by local councils and LGBT organisations, to promote Cork as an inclusive destination with significant LGBT heritage.
The city and county were highlighted as being situated between two of the best experiences in Ireland: The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.
Travelling to West Cork, the visitors took the ferry to see the gardens of Garinish island, off the coast of Glengarriff.
The journalists dined at Glengarriff’s Eccles Hotel and later enjoyed a foodie tour in Kinsale, before returning to the city.
The delegation also visited such city locations as The English Market and Crawford Art Gallery.
They visited the Co-Quay Op vegetarian restaurant, which was established in 1982 as a community project, and they also sampled the city’s diverse nightlife.
Journalist Savas Abadsidis, from Out Traveler and The Advocate magazines, said: ‘Cork is a fantastic, safe, LGBT family-friendly destination for anyone considering a vacation trip.’
The editor of the UK lesbian magazine Diva, Carrie Lyell said: ‘We had a wonderful time, and would definitely recommend Cork as a destination for LGBTQ visitors.’
A new purecork.ie website, which will highlight all there is to see and do in Cork, will launch in the coming months.
