It looks like there is a boat from Dublin to northern wales. Does anyone have any experience with it?? Also, what about renting a car when we get off the boat,is that a possibility??

Just replied to your other post. Yes, you can rent a car at Holyhead.

Try Europcar. They have a "Meet and Greet" for the port/terminal at Holyhead. I believe Hertz also offers rentals at Holyhead.

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Wales#

Here is familiarization for Wales (primarily north) and a little from Chester in England...used Holyhead for drop offs twice. Works well with Europcar.
stu

Thnks much,sounds pretty easy.

The crossing is frequently atrocious - The Irish Sea is known for an above average frequency of rough weather.
Take your stoutest sea legs!

Dr D.

Let's not over egg the pudding. It's not " frequently"atrocious. Its probably average for a westward facing stretch of sea welcoming the prevailing south-westerlies in the UK.
Very very calm here (in Holyhead) at the moment

This could be problematic for me as I can pretty easily get sick sickened we would' be doing ithe bot both ways. Hum!!!

Think Dr_DoGood is thinking of Irish Ferries Swift (which I refuse to consider) or perhaps back to the days of the B&I line.

Stena have 3 decent ships including the Explorer (fast cat from Dun Laoghaire) and Irish ferries have the Ulysses and a new ship "Epsilon" coming on line next month. All the ships are stabilised and well capable of smooth crossings. As a regular user I opt for Stena Line through choice.

The idea that crossings are"frequently atrocious" is a bit of a hyperbole. If it's ( weather ) "atrocious" the ferries won't be running. That said, there can be occasions when it might get a bit bumpy. Take a Dramamine and find a seat in the middle and on lower decks. As Tony said the ferries are stabilized. I seriously doubt that you'll have any problems.

There's a 3mtr swell promised as a minimum for the 2.15 am crossing which I am on the Nordica for.. will come back tomorrow just to confirm I survived.

The wonders of dyslexia I read Dramamine as Drambuie and thought what a great idea!!

The Dramamine is for those prone to seasickness, the Drambuie for those who are not.

Since we will be going round trip and possibly going to the airport in Dublin on our return can I count on the ferries being close to times that they post?? Also, if we go back the night before any suggestions for accommodations near Dublin's airport?

Survived the last crossing, slept most of it. now on the return leg with Guinness and a film.
Yes crossing times are as stated. within a few minutes of departure.. arrivals are reasonable but allow disembarkation times. definitely use Stena for the Holyhead Dublin leg, Irish ferries provide Dublin Bus cattle wagons from the port to city centre, Stena provide Coaches with Luggage Holds. both charge €2.50 for the trip.
Premier Inn have an airport location with shuttle bus.

Tony2phones, thanks much.