Use this EUFerry operator guide to understand where Irish Ferries sails and the practical options to consider before checking current availability and fares.
Irish Ferries is the passenger-ferry division of Irish Continental Group plc. Current company information states that it operates eight ferries on international routes between Ireland, Britain and France, carrying passengers, vehicles and freight.
The current passenger network has four route markets: Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke across the Irish Sea, the overnight Dublin–Cherbourg connection to France, and the high-frequency Dover–Calais service across the English Channel.
The fleet mixes a fast craft with larger cruise ferries. Dublin Swift is the only fast craft on the Irish Sea; other ships add cabins, restaurants, Club Class, pet facilities and large vehicle decks according to route and vessel.
Irish Ferries currently operates four passenger route markets. The three cards group them by journey type while the route map shows the full network; use the live timetable for the exact ship and departure.
Dublin–Holyhead is Irish Ferries’ core Irish Sea route. The current route page lists Ulysses, Dublin Swift and James Joyce; the cruise-ferry schedule is about 3½ hours, while Dublin Swift crosses in just over two hours.
Rosslare–Pembroke is a direct southern Irish Sea route operated by Isle of Innisfree. Irish Ferries currently advertises two crossings daily and a port-to-port journey of just over four hours.
Irish Ferries serves France in two very different ways: overnight Dublin–Cherbourg with W.B. Yeats and Isle of Inisheer, and the short, frequent Dover–Calais vehicle route with Oscar Wilde and Isle of Inishmore.
This schematic summarises the three representative current route groups described above. It is not a complete network map or timetable; the live operator booking result is definitive.
For planning with Irish Ferries, use the map to compare the representative route groups above, including Dublin–Holyhead, Rosslare–Pembroke, Dublin / Dover–Cherbourg / Calais. It is most useful for judging which departure or arrival point best fits the rest of the journey rather than as a substitute for the live timetable.
After choosing the most practical route, compare the live Irish Ferries sailing for departure time, calling pattern, passenger requirements and the facilities or accommodation shown for that service. The complete itinerary and arrival location can matter more than a small difference in the headline fare.
Use the current sailing result for the definitive ship, departure time and route-specific check-in deadline.
The network combines city access, motorway-linked ferry ports and an overnight continental gateway. Port access and check-in rules vary by route, so plan the terminal as carefully as the sailing.
Dublin is the departure point for Holyhead and Cherbourg. The port connects directly with Ireland’s motorway network and sits close to the city centre, but road works and terminal access instructions should be checked before travel.
Explore Ireland ferry destinations
Rosslare is the Irish terminal for the Pembroke route and is well positioned for the south-east, south and south-west of Ireland through the N25 and N11 road corridors.
Browse Irish Sea ports
Calais is the French terminal for the Dover route. Border control is processed after Irish Ferries check-in, so motorists should allow time for both stages rather than treating the check-in deadline as the end of formalities.
Plan a France ferry journeyFollow current Dublin Port traffic instructions on the day of travel. Temporary road arrangements can change access to the ferry terminals, so do not rely on an old saved route through the port estate.
Accommodation varies sharply by route and ship. The short Dover–Calais crossing is mainly about lounges and seating, while Dublin–Cherbourg is an overnight journey where cabin choice becomes a major part of the trip.
Passenger lounges, cafés and public seating are available according to ship and route. For many short daytime journeys, this is the normal accommodation choice.
Best considered for Short crossings where a private room is unnecessarySelected ships offer an upgraded Club Class lounge with reserved space, complimentary refreshments and other benefits such as priority motorist boarding where available.
Best considered for Travellers wanting a quieter premium lounge experienceCruise ferries such as Ulysses and Isle of Innisfree offer en-suite cabin categories for passengers who want privacy or rest even on a shorter crossing.
Best considered for Overnight, early-morning or rest-focused Irish Sea sailingsW.B. Yeats provides a broad choice of en-suite cabins and higher-category suites for the overnight Dublin–Cherbourg service; Isle of Inisheer offers a simpler cabin product.
Best considered for Arriving in France rested after the overnight crossingPet options depend on vessel and route and can include a Pet Den, pet-friendly cabin, kennel or travel in the vehicle. Pets must be added before check-in.
Best considered for Travellers who need to pre-book an approved pet optionSeveral cruise ferries provide adapted cabins, lifts, accessible toilets and dedicated seating. Irish Ferries asks passengers requiring special assistance to contact the company at least two working days before travel.
Best considered for Passengers requiring an adapted cabin or advance assistanceCompare the ship as well as the route. Cabin, Club Class and pet-accommodation availability can change when Irish Ferries changes the vessel assigned to a sailing.
Irish Ferries facilities are highly vessel-specific. Larger cruise ferries offer a wider range of dining, cabins and Club Class facilities than the fast craft or the short Dover–Calais ships.
Larger cruise ferries provide self-service dining, cafés, bars and other outlets; the exact choice and seasonal opening pattern depends on the assigned ship.
Selected ships offer a premium Club Class lounge with a quieter setting, refreshments and additional benefits such as priority motorist boarding where available.
Irish Ferries advertises free Wi-Fi on its principal passenger ships, subject to onboard terms and the limitations of a maritime connection.
Duty Free retail is a prominent feature on the Irish Sea and Channel fleet, with allowances depending on the route and destination.
Ships such as Ulysses, James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree provide dedicated family or children’s areas alongside general passenger lounges.
Irish Ferries publishes onboard safety guidance and carries medical supplies; passengers with medical or mobility needs should notify the company before travel.
Images in this section are from EUFerry’s general ferry-travel library and illustrate facility types; they are not presented as photographs of a particular Irish Ferries vessel. Confirm facilities on the ship assigned to your sailing.
Irish Ferries is strongly geared to vehicle travel, but the booked dimensions must be accurate. Pet arrangements must be pre-booked, and passengers needing special assistance should contact Irish Ferries in advance.
Irish Ferries accepts a wide range of non-commercial vehicles. The booking flow separates vehicles by height and length so the correct deck space and fare can be reserved.
Motorcycles and bicycles are accepted on relevant routes, while caravans and trailers must be included accurately in the vehicle booking. Check-in deadlines differ by route and vehicle type.
Pets must be pre-booked. Depending on route and ship, travel options include Pet Dens, pet-friendly cabins, onboard kennels or remaining in the vehicle.
Irish Ferries provides ship- and port-specific accessibility information. Passengers who require special assistance should contact the company at least two working days before travel.
Irish Ferries publishes route-specific check-in deadlines. Be through the check-in point before the stated time; do not treat arrival at the port entrance as check-in.
Measure the complete vehicle, pre-book any pet, and declare wheelchair use so the sailing can be prepared correctly.
For Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke, the current latest check-in is 30 minutes for standard private vehicles, 40 minutes for foot passengers and cyclists, and one hour for coaches. Passengers travelling with pets must also check in one hour before departure.
The latest check-in is two hours for coaches, 90 minutes for motorcycles and one hour for other vehicles, foot passengers and cyclists. Passengers travelling with a guide dog or domestic animal must check in two hours before departure.
For Great Britain–France, Irish Ferries currently requires two hours for coaches, one hour for motorcycles and standard vehicles, and 90 minutes for passengers travelling with pets. In Calais, border control takes place after check-in.
Once parked, take passports, medicines, valuables and anything needed during the crossing because access to the vehicle deck is restricted at sea.
Start with the route because Irish Ferries serves four very different journey types: a fast or cruise-ferry Irish Sea crossing, a southern Irish Sea crossing, an overnight Ireland–France voyage and a short high-frequency Channel service.
Then compare the ship. Ulysses and W.B. Yeats offer a broader cruise-ferry experience; Dublin Swift prioritises speed; Isle of Inisheer is a simpler France-route option; and the Dover–Calais vessels are configured around a short vehicle crossing.
Finally check the operational details that can change your trip: vehicle dimensions, cabin or Club Class availability, pet accommodation, accessibility needs and the route-specific check-in deadline.
The current passenger network is Dublin–Holyhead, Rosslare–Pembroke, Dublin–Cherbourg and Dover–Calais.
Irish Ferries currently states that it operates eight ferries on international routes between Ireland, Britain and France.
Irish Ferries advertises cruise-ferry sailings at about three and a half hours and Dublin Swift at just over two hours. The current sailing result is the definitive journey time.
The current route page lists Ulysses, James Joyce and Dublin Swift. James Joyce is shown returning for the summer programme, so check the vessel on the selected date.
Irish Ferries describes the crossing as just over four hours, with two crossings daily and Isle of Innisfree currently assigned to the route.
The current Dublin–Cherbourg route page lists W.B. Yeats and Isle of Inisheer. W.B. Yeats offers the broader premium cruise-ferry product, while Isle of Inisheer is a simpler economy service.
Oscar Wilde and Isle of Inishmore are the current Dover–Calais ships. Irish Ferries describes the route programme as operating up to 20 sailings per day.
For Great Britain–Ireland, standard cars and other private vehicles must be through check-in 30 minutes before departure, foot passengers and cyclists 40 minutes, coaches one hour and passengers travelling with pets one hour. Ireland–France requires one hour for standard vehicles and foot/cycle passengers, 90 minutes for motorcycles, two hours for coaches and two hours for passengers with pets. Dover–Calais requires one hour for standard vehicles and motorcycles, two hours for coaches and 90 minutes for passengers with pets.
Yes, but pets must be pre-booked. Depending on route and ship, options include Pet Dens, pet-friendly cabins, kennels and travel in the vehicle. Owners are responsible for all required pet-travel documentation.
Irish Ferries asks passengers requiring special assistance to contact the company at least two working days, described as 48 working hours, before travel. Wheelchair use should also be declared in the booking because safety limits apply.
Check current routes, ships, cabins, vehicle space and pet options for your travel date.
Facility photographs are examples; the vessels shown are identified below. Facilities vary by ship.
250120 1029 MV Glen Sannox loading, Port of Troon ferry terminal.jpg — Dave souza; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:250120_1029_MV_Glen_Sannox_loading,_Port_of_Troon_ferry_terminal.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized for display.
Cabin on MV Hrossey - geograph.org.uk - 7254252.jpg — Oliver Dixon; CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cabin_on_MV_Hrossey_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7254252.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized for display.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (49687542022).jpg — Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA; CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_(49687542022).jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized for display.
Check-in, Holyhead Ferry Terminal - geograph.org.uk - 7757104.jpg — JThomas; CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Check-in,_Holyhead_Ferry_Terminal_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7757104.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized for display.
Deckchair on ferry.jpg — User:Amada44; CC BY 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deckchair_on_ferry.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0. Resized for display.
MF Ombo (double ended diesel ferry 2021) Finnøysambandet Judaberg-Finnøy-EidesundOmbo Stavanger Norway Passasjer salong passenger lounge utsikt view vindu windows seter IMG 8719.jpg — Wolfmann; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MF_Ombo_(double_ended_diesel_ferry_2021)_Finn%C3%B8ysambandet_Judaberg-Finn%C3%B8y-EidesundOmbo_Stavanger_Norway_Passasjer_salong_passenger_lounge_utsikt_view_vindu_windows_seter_IMG_8719.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized for display.
Vehicle deck on the Victoria of Wight (Wightlink ferry).jpg — ITookSomePhotos; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vehicle_deck_on_the_Victoria_of_Wight_(Wightlink_ferry).jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized for display.
Ireland
Irish Sea & Channel
Britain & France
