Page 364 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

362  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Arriving by Sea

Travelling by ferry is a popular way of getting to Ireland,
especially for groups or families intending to tour the country
by car. Nine ports in Great Britain and two in France provide
ferry crossings to Ireland’s six ports. Nowadays, all ferries are
of the modern drive-on/drive-off variety with lounges,
restaurants and shops. There are also a greater number of
crossings and shorter journey times available. Prices vary Logo of Irish Ferries
largely depending on the time of year.
service from Fishguard in
South Wales using their Stena
Europe ferry, which takes
3 hours and 30 minutes to
make the crossing.
Irish Ferries operates two
daily crossings to Rosslare from
Pembroke in South Wales
(3 hours and 45 minutes), with
14 crossings weekly, as well as
a service from Roscoff in France
(17 hours and 30 minutes), with
three crossings weekly. Irish
Ferries and P&O also run regular
services to Rosslare from
Cherbourg in France (18 hours).
Cabins and berths are available
A P&O ferry making the crossing between Cairnryan and Larne on all crossings to Rosslare and
should be booked well in
advance. Stena Line also runs a
Ferries to Dublin Port
24 hours before the departure budget service all year round
There is a good choice of ferry time. Passengers travelling with from Rosslare to Cherbourg
services between Holyhead in bicycles should mention this (18 hours), with three crossings
Wales and Ireland. Irish Ferries, when booking – most ferry per week. Amenities include
the country’s largest shipping companies allow people to bars, a cinema, and comfortable
company, operates on the take bicycles free of charge. en-suite cabins.
Holyhead–Dublin Port route Companies generally operate
and has up to six crossings a throughout the year with the
day. The high-speed service exception of Christmas Day Ferries to Cork
takes 1 hour and 49 minutes, and Boxing Day. There is only one route per
while the conventional ferry week direct to Cork from
takes about 3 hours and Roscoff in France, operated

15 minutes. Stena Line also Ferries to Rosslare by Brittany Ferries. The ferry
operates four ferry crossings Rosslare, in County Wexford, is leaves from Cork on a Saturday
each day on the same route, the main port for crossings and from Roscoff on a Friday.

taking 3hours and 15 minutes . from South Wales to Ireland. The service runs only from
P&O Ferries offers an 8-hour Stena Line runs a twice-daily April to October and the
crossing from Liverpool to crossing time is 14 hours.
Dublin. Norfolkline makes the Cabins and berths are available
same journey in approximately on routes to Cork but need
7 hours, and offers one daytime to be booked well in advance
and one night-time service in high season.
daily. Note that on Sundays
and Mondays there is only a
night crossing available. Port Connections in
the Republic
Vehicle loading and unload ing
times on the fast ferries are All of Ireland’s ports have
considerably shorter than ade quate bus and train
with other ferries. Passengers connec tions, as well as taxis
requiring special assistance at waiting to meet arrivals. At
ports or on board the ship Dublin Port, Dublin Express
should contact the company Irish Ferries ship loading up at buses meet ferry arri vals and
they are booked with at least Rosslare Harbour take passengers straight into

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