Rosslare fearful as Irish Ferries pulls its France winter service

LOCALS have raised concerns that Rosslare port is being downgraded after news that Irish Ferries is pulling its ferry service this winter.

The Oscar Wilde ferry, pictured, will be moved from Rosslare port to Dublin port during the winter months.

The company insisted the move was previously published, but a low-key press release last year announcing the changes received little attention.

Stena Line will still operate a service from Rosslare to Cherbourg. The Oscar Wilde usually services the route between the Wexford port and Cherbourg and Roscoff.

Over the winter, the only Irish Ferries service from Rosslare will be to Pembroke, with the Isle of Inishmore Ferry. The change takes place from September.

Irish Ferries said in a statement: ‘We are continuing to offer a year-round service to France, just constructed to match the different demands at different times.’

Rosslare Councillor Mick Roche said he was very disappointed: ‘The closure of another ferry route from Rosslare Europort represents yet another critical failure on the Government’s part to secure this vital harbour and gateway to the continent. We’ve had consistent downgrading of the Rosslare Port Terminal, the closure of the Rosslare to Waterford line and attempts to close the line to Dublin and a complete lack of modernisation.’