£200,000 river restaurants have success in their wake

Two cruising restaurants operating out of New Ross and Waterford are among the most unusual properties to come on the market in recent years. Ganly Walters is quoting "about £200,000" for the two boats, the St Ciaran, which can accommodate 160 passengers, and the St Brendan, which can handle 120 people. The vessels cruise on the Rivers Barrow and Suir. The sale includes a shore-based pontoon, which has a reception area, two large kitchens, cold room and freezers, lavatories, staff room and stores.

When Dickie Fletcher began his enterprise of floating restaurants with New Ross as a base he was taking a risk since the Irish do not naturally take to the water, despite being islanders.

But over the years many people from Waterford, New Ross and Wexford joined the tourists in dining as they glided up and down the Rivers Barrow and Suir.

The St Ciaran vessel rides low so you feel very close to the water: with the reeds in places almost brushing the windows, it is a very special sensation. And when the waterhens hoot or the ducks quack, the mood is set.

Bord Failte was quick to recognise the attraction that the Galley Cruising Restaurants added to the area, and, over the years, it has helped with suitable publicity, as have travel agents. But it is the passengers themselves who bring others along when they are told about fine cuisine and wines that spill not a drop as one admires the constantly changing scenery.