Page 13 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

Getting to Ireland 11

Arriving by Sea Wales and Stranraer in Scotland, DIRECTORY
Ireland has six main ferry ports: which has bus links to Cairnryan.
Dublin, Dun Laoghaire (which is If travelling by rail, combination FERRY SERVICES
pronounced “Dun Larry”), Rosslare train-and-ferry tickets are usually Direct Ferries
and Cork in the Republic of Ireland, available; these are convenient, and 0871 222 3312 (UK);
and Belfast and Larne in Northern also often offer substantial savings. www.directferries.com
Ireland. Three ferry companies Several UK rail operators, Irish Rail P&O Irish Sea
operate car and foot-passenger and ferry companies have teamed 0871 66 44 999 (UK);
services between Ireland and up with SailRail, which offers this 01 407 34 34 (Ireland);
www.poirishsea.com
Britain. There are also ferry services deal from any UK train station to
to and from ports in France. The any station in the Republic of Stena Line
08705 70 70 70 (UK);
easiest way to compare routes Ireland or Northern Ireland, using www.stenaline.co.uk
and prices is online at the Direct most ferry routes. Tickets can be
Ferries website. bought at most railway stations in Irish Ferries
0818 300 400 (Ireland);
The Liverpool to Dublin route the UK and Ireland and from the 353 818 300 400 (Northern Ireland);
(8 hours) is operated by P&O Irish ferry operators, as well as from www.irishferries.com
Sea. P&O also has a crossing from SailRail itself. Brittany Ferries
Cairnryan, in southwest Scotland, Stena Line offers Rail-and-Sail 021 4277 801 (Ireland);
to Larne (2 hours). There are also fares from several British rail www.brittanyferries.ie
crossings to Belfast from Cairnryan stations for the crossings between
(2 hours) and from Liverpool Fishguard and Rosslare, from RAIL SERVICES
(8 hours) with Stena Line. Stena Holyhead to Dublin, and from SailRail
also sails to Dublin from Holyhead Cairnryan to Belfast. Similar fares 0845 606 1660 (UK);
www.sailrail.co.uk
in North Wales (3 hours 30 minutes). are available on routes operated by
Irish Ferries also operates crossings Irish Ferries. Check for deals with British Rail
08457 48 49 50 (UK);
to Dublin from Holyhead (3 hours) British Rail, ScotRail, Irish Rail and 44(0)20 7278 5240 (overseas);
as well as crossings from Pembroke Northern Ireland Railways. In www.nationalrail.co.uk
in south Wales (4 hours) to Rosslare. Ireland, CIE has information on ScotRail
Stena Line operates a daily crossing rail and bus connections to the 08457 550033;
(3 hours 30 minutes) to Rosslare ferry ports. www.scotrail.co.uk
from Fishguard in southwest Wales. The long-distance coach Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann)
From France, Stena Line operates operator Eurolines offers a similar 836 6222 (Ireland);
an overnight route from Cherbourg bus-and-ferry service, with routes +353 (0)1 703 4070 (overseas);
to Rosslare (17–19 hours), while to Dublin, Belfast and beyond from www.irishrail.ie
Irish Ferries operates the same most of the main British cities. Northern Ireland Railways
route plus a crossing from Roscoff Journey times may be long, but the 028 90 66 66 30;
to Rosslare (17 hours). Brittany fares are relatively inexpensive. In www.nirailways.co.uk
Ferries runs an overnight route Ireland, Eurolines operates jointly CIE
each Saturday between Roscoff with Bus Éireann. www.cie.ie
and Cork (14 hours). COACH SERVICES
Below far left The check-in area at Dublin
Arriving by Rail and Coach Airport Below left The modern exterior of Dublin Eurolines
08705 14 3219 (UK);
Trains run direct to most ferry Airport Below centre Sign for the Port of Belfast, www.eurolines.com
ports, including Dublin, Dun Northern Ireland’s biggest seaport Below right Bus Éireann
Laoghaire, Fishguard Harbour in Irish Ferries ship loading up at Rosslare Harbour 01 836 6111 (Ireland);
www.buseireann.ie

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