Boat Travel

To and From Ireland

Ferries are a convenient way to travel between Ireland and elsewhere in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. There are four main ferry ports in Ireland—two in the republic at Dublin Port and Rosslare, and two in Northern Ireland at Belfast and Larne. The cost of your trip can vary substantially, so compare prices carefully. Bear in mind, too, that flying can be cheaper, so look into all types of transportation before booking.

Irish Ferries operates the Ulysses, the world's largest car ferry, between Dublin and Holyhead, Wales (3 hours, 15 minutes); there's also a swift service (1 hour, 50 minutes) between these two ports. There are several trips daily. The company also runs between Rosslare and Pembroke, Wales (four hours), and has service to France. Stena Line sails several times a day between Dublin and Holyhead (3 hours, 15 minutes). The company also runs a fast craft (two hours) and a superferry (three hours) between Belfast and Stranraer, Scotland, as well as a fast craft (two hours) between Rosslare and Fishguard, Wales. There are several trips daily on both routes.

P&O Irish Sea vessels run between Larne and Troon, Scotland (two hours), a couple of times a day. The company also sails from Dublin to Liverpool twice daily (eight hours), with a choice of daytime or overnight sailings.

Brittany Ferries offers an overnight service from Cork to Roscoff in France and Santander in northern Spain.

Within Ireland

There is regular service to the Aran Islands from Ros an Mhíl (Rossaveal) in County Galway and Doolin in County Clare. Ferries also sail to Inishbofin (off the Galway coast) and Arranmore (off the Donegal coast), and to Bere, Whiddy, Sherkin, and the Cape Clear Islands off the coast of County Cork. Bere and Whiddy have a car ferry, but the other islands are all small enough to explore on foot, so the ferries are for foot passengers and bicycles only. Other islands—the Blaskets and the Skelligs in Kerry, Rathlin in Antrim, and Tory, off the Donegal coast—have seasonal ferry services between May and September, less frequently the rest of the year. Fáilte Ireland publishes a free guide and map with ferry details.