Now that you have decided to visit Ireland you will want to look at ferry crossings from Holyhead and get your vacation off to a flying start on this magical island. Stenaline and Irish Ferries are the two ferry companies operating from Holyhead Port on Anglesey. Today, driving by car to Anglesey is a breeze, especially with the modern dual carriageway connections to the motorway network. Just think back to the times when it could to take a day or more for the Irish Mail coach to reach the island from London.
Just imagine of you want to get to say Tralee or Sligo in the west of Ireland, you can get your car across on the Dublin ferry or by catching the fast ferry to Dun Laoghaire from Holyhead. Both Stenaline and Irish Ferries offer a 3.5 hour cruise ferry crossing, and they carry both cars and freight trucks to Dublin Port.
Adverse weather conditions can sometimes cause ferry crossings from Holyhead across the Irish Sea to be cancelled, particularly when big seas build up from the south west, making a sea crossing very difficult. In these strong winds and high waves the cruise ferries may sometimes manage the crossing but such sea conditions are too much for the fast ferry sailings run by both companies. It is a good idea to make sure your travel insurance can cover for such eventualities so that you can make a claim on the policy in the event of a cancellation. This can cover you for perhaps a stay at a local hotel or bed and breakfast in or around Holyhead.
You may also want to ensure that ferry crossing times fit in with your intended onward journey across Ireland, and it is worth checking the timetables of both companies as they can vary depending on whether it is the low or high season. Sailing between Holyhead and Dublin, the Ulysses is the Irish Ferries flagship cruise ferry, and offers passengers the choice of sailing in the early morning hours or in mid-afternoon from Holyhead Port. Meanwhile Stenaline has a choice of cruise ferry and a ship carrying commercial freight and drivers between Holyhead and Dublin.
If you want to get over to Ireland sooner, there are faster ferry crossings from Holyhead than using the cruise ferries. You could take the fast ferry, either Stena HSS or the Jonathan Swift, which take just over 1.5 hours. While the Jonathan Swift (Irish Ferries) sails straight into Dublin Port from Holyhead, the Stena HSS ferry takes you to Dun Laoghaire. If you choose the second option, you will need to use the DART, a 20 minute train journey from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin.
Arriving by train at Holyhead foot passengers are easily directed to the port facilities by following the well signposted directions near the platforms. If you are driving to Anglesey, just follow the signs to Holyhead on the A55 dual carriageway and as you enter the town, the signage is very clear as you cross the bridge towards the Port terminal for booking in. There is a bus available to take foot passengers from the departure lounge to the cruise ferries on Salt island, while the Stena HSS fast ferry berth is in the Inner Harbour, just a short walk away.
Both cruise and fast ferries offer a wide range of services and entertainments for passengers which include restaurants, bars, and quiet, restful lounges, together with games facilities and cinema. Travellers will also be able to browse luxury items such as perfumes and souvenirs in the shopping malls onboard the ferries. For those who may want to rest in a cabin, you can book one on the cruise ferries though it's best to secure your cabin in advance.
So as you prepare for an exciting holiday to Ireland, make sure you look at the option of ferry crossings from Holyhead before you think of alternative routes. When you leave the Anglesey port in daylight you will pass the famous Holyhead Breakwater and the nearby mountain, as well as the iconic South Stack Lighthouse, so make sure you are on the port side and looking south.
Just imagine of you want to get to say Tralee or Sligo in the west of Ireland, you can get your car across on the Dublin ferry or by catching the fast ferry to Dun Laoghaire from Holyhead. Both Stenaline and Irish Ferries offer a 3.5 hour cruise ferry crossing, and they carry both cars and freight trucks to Dublin Port.
Adverse weather conditions can sometimes cause ferry crossings from Holyhead across the Irish Sea to be cancelled, particularly when big seas build up from the south west, making a sea crossing very difficult. In these strong winds and high waves the cruise ferries may sometimes manage the crossing but such sea conditions are too much for the fast ferry sailings run by both companies. It is a good idea to make sure your travel insurance can cover for such eventualities so that you can make a claim on the policy in the event of a cancellation. This can cover you for perhaps a stay at a local hotel or bed and breakfast in or around Holyhead.
You may also want to ensure that ferry crossing times fit in with your intended onward journey across Ireland, and it is worth checking the timetables of both companies as they can vary depending on whether it is the low or high season. Sailing between Holyhead and Dublin, the Ulysses is the Irish Ferries flagship cruise ferry, and offers passengers the choice of sailing in the early morning hours or in mid-afternoon from Holyhead Port. Meanwhile Stenaline has a choice of cruise ferry and a ship carrying commercial freight and drivers between Holyhead and Dublin.
If you want to get over to Ireland sooner, there are faster ferry crossings from Holyhead than using the cruise ferries. You could take the fast ferry, either Stena HSS or the Jonathan Swift, which take just over 1.5 hours. While the Jonathan Swift (Irish Ferries) sails straight into Dublin Port from Holyhead, the Stena HSS ferry takes you to Dun Laoghaire. If you choose the second option, you will need to use the DART, a 20 minute train journey from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin.
Arriving by train at Holyhead foot passengers are easily directed to the port facilities by following the well signposted directions near the platforms. If you are driving to Anglesey, just follow the signs to Holyhead on the A55 dual carriageway and as you enter the town, the signage is very clear as you cross the bridge towards the Port terminal for booking in. There is a bus available to take foot passengers from the departure lounge to the cruise ferries on Salt island, while the Stena HSS fast ferry berth is in the Inner Harbour, just a short walk away.
Both cruise and fast ferries offer a wide range of services and entertainments for passengers which include restaurants, bars, and quiet, restful lounges, together with games facilities and cinema. Travellers will also be able to browse luxury items such as perfumes and souvenirs in the shopping malls onboard the ferries. For those who may want to rest in a cabin, you can book one on the cruise ferries though it's best to secure your cabin in advance.
So as you prepare for an exciting holiday to Ireland, make sure you look at the option of ferry crossings from Holyhead before you think of alternative routes. When you leave the Anglesey port in daylight you will pass the famous Holyhead Breakwater and the nearby mountain, as well as the iconic South Stack Lighthouse, so make sure you are on the port side and looking south.
About the Author:
The author, David Phillips, comes from the beautiful island of Anglesey in North Wales, and manages an informative website covering local news and information. Find out about ferry crossings from Holyhead and how to start your Ireland vacation on the right foot.
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