Irish Ferries' Routes

    Rosslare - Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (1972 onwards)

    Irish Ferries was founded in 1972 to operate a new France - Ireland route. This route was initially departing Le Havre. To establish the service, Irish Ferries ordered Saint Patrick (1), which was introduced on 29th May 1973.

    In 1978, Saint Patrick (1) was joined on the French service by Saint-Killian. Meanwhile, Irish Ferries opened its services from Rosslare to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, although it was still serving Le Havre. The Le Havre service was later scrapped, at an unknown date.

    In late-1981, Saint Killian benefited a jumboisation in order to increase her garage and passenger capacities, to cope with the growing traffics on her routes. Meanwhile, Saint Patrick (1) was replaced by Saint Patrick (2).

    In 1998, Normandy replaced both Saint Killian and Saint Patrick (2) on the France - Ireland service.

    Since late-2007, the France - Ireland service has been operated by Oscar Wilde.

    Informations about the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin - Rosslare route.
    CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN - ROSSLARE (1972 onwards)
    The Route
    Main Ship Oscar Wilde (2007 onwards)
    Former Ships Saint-Patrick (1) (1973 - 1981);
    Saint-Killian (1978 - 1998);
    Saint-Patrick (2) (1982 - 1998);
    Normandy (1998 - 2007).
    Crossing Time 18h30
    Summer Frequency Up to two weekly crossings each way
    Winter Frequency Up to three weekly crossings each way

    Dublin - Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (2014 onwards)

    In 2014, Irish Ferries chartered in Epsilon to operate a weekly crossing at week ends between Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Dublin.

    Epsilon is to be replaced on this service by a new luxurious purpose-built ferry by 2018.

    Informations about the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin - Dublin route.
    CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN - DUBLIN (2014 onwards)
    The Route
    Main Ship Epsilon (2014 - 2018)
    Future Ship Under construction (Beginning 2018)
    Crossing Time 19h00
    Summer Frequency One weekly crossing at week ends
    Winter Frequency One weekly crossing at week ends

    Rosslare - Roscoff (1995 onwards - Summer Service only)

    In 1995, Irish Ferries opened a route between Roscoff and Rosslare, with some services who used to end at Cork. This route has initially been operated by Saint-Killian and Saint-Patrick (2), replaced in 1998 by Normandy. The service has been operated since 2008 by Oscar Wilde.

    Informations about the Roscoff - Rosslare route.
    ROSCOFF - ROSSLARE (1995 onwards)
    The Route
    Main Ship Oscar Wilde (2008 onwards)
    Former Ships Saint-Killian (1995 - 1997);
    Saint-Patrick (2) (1995 - 1997);
    Normandy (1998 - 2007).
    Crossing Time 17h30
    Summer Frequency Up to two weekly sailings
    Winter Frequency  No service

    Dublin - Holyhead (1995 onwards)

    Irish Ferries has been operating the Dublin - Holyhead line since the delivery of Isle of Inishfree (2) in 1995. She was replaced in 1997 by Isle of Inishmore. In 1999, Irish Ferries established a high speed service on the route, using Jonathan Swift.

    In 2000, Irish Ferries was delivered Ulysses, one of the bigger ship in terms of garage capacity in service in Europe. Due to a growth in the route's traffic, Irish Ferries introduced Epsilon on the route at week days. The Dublin - Holyhead service is the most important route in Irish Ferries' business.

    Informations about the Dublin - Holyhead route.
    DUBLIN - HOLYHEAD (1995 onwards)
    The Route
    Main Ships Epsilon (2014 onwards)
    Jonathan Swift (1999 onwards)
    Ulysses (2000 onwards)
    Other Ship Isle of Inishmore (2) (2000 onwards)
    Former Ships Isle of Inishfree (2) (1995 - 1997);
    Isle of Inishmore (2) (1997 - 2000).
    Crossing Time  2 hours (High Speed Service); 3h30 (Conventional Ferries)
    Summer Frequency  Up to six daily crossings each way
    Winter Frequency  Up to six daily crossings each way

    Rosslare - Pembroke Dock (1997 onwards)

    The Rosslare - Pembroke Dock route has initially been established by B+I Lines. Irish Ferries took over the route in 1997 when they introduced on it Isle of Inishfree (2), replacing Isle of Inishmore (1). Isle of Inishmore (2) has been operating the route since 2000.

    Informations about the Rosslare - Pembroke Dock route.
    ROSSLARE - PEMBROKE DOCK (1997 onwards)
    The Route
    Main Ship Isle of Inishmore (2) (2000 onwards)
    Other Ship Oscar Wilde (2008 onwards)
    Former Ships Isle of Inishmore (1) (1993 - 1997);
    Isle of Inishfree (2) (1997 - 2000).
    Crossing Time 4h01
    Summer Frequency  Two daily sailings
    Winter Frequency  Two daily sailings