Irish Ferries to boost Europort sailings

IRISH Ferries is to increase its sailings between Rosslare Europort and Roscoff in Brittany from next summer.

The increase in sailings is part of a package of measures that will follow the arrival in the Irish Ferries’ fleet of the new 5,000-tonne cruise ferry W.B. Yeats, which is currently being built in Flensburg, Germany.

Highlights of the plan will see a doubling in the number of summer sailings between

Ireland and France – offering daily departures alternatively from both Dublin and Rosslare ports.

This is coupled with an increase in autumn/winter sailings frequency, and an expansion in passenger, car and freight carrying capacities on the company’s prime Ireland – UK route between Dublin and Holyhead.

On Ireland – France routes, the introduction of W. B. Yeats will enable Irish Ferries to double the current number of sailings between the two countries with planned daily departures in alternate directions.

On the Dublin – Cherbourg route, new arrangements will see the W. B. Yeats operate up to four return sailings weekly on what is becoming an increasingly popular route for the summer season.

In parallel, the company’s scheduled services from Rosslare to the French ports of Cherbourg and Roscoff - operated by the cruise ferry Oscar Wilde - will include an increase in the number of summertime departures to Roscoff.

In the off-peak winter season, the vessel Epsilon will replace the W.B. Yeats providing a year–round service from Dublin to the Continent for both freight and tourism customers.

When delivered, the new W. B. Yeats will be the largest and most luxurious ferry ever to sail on the Irish Sea. It will have space on board for 1,885 passengers and crew, 1,200 cars in 4kms of vehicle deck space, and 441 cabins, with a variety of cabin grades including luxury suites.