Dublin greets a million … and one

Dublin welcomed its millionth cruise passenger this morning when Diane Taylor, from Newfoundland, arrived with her husband, Doug, on Carnival Legend – the 100th cruise ship to visit the city this year.
They were welcomed at the foot of the gangway by the Lord Mayor, Oisin Quinn, and other dignitaries. After being presented with a bouquet of flowers, they were whisked off on a VIP tour of the Irish capital, with a surprise gift of €1,000 spending money.
The millionth arrival marked the end of a record cruise season for Dublin. Passenger numbers have tripled in a decade and the cruise industry is now worth €200 million to the republic’s economy each year, one quarter of that to Dublin. Passenger numbers are expected to quadruple during the next 10 years.
The Lord Mayor said: “The arrival of our millionth cruise visitor represents a significant tourism milestone. Today, Dublin has become the cruise capital of Ireland.”
But spare a thought for another couple who stepped off Carnival Legend this morning. While the Taylors were celebrating with a glass of Champagne before heading for more drinks at the Guinness brewery, a Mr Ayers of Iowa in the USA was looking rather long-faced.
According to cruise director John Heald, Mr Ayers would have been the millionth passenger if only his wife had not paused at the top of the gangway “to sort her purse out.”
Not sure I would want to eavesdrop on the craic at their dinner table tonight.