There are four principal ferry companies operating services from the Port of Dublin. The services they provide include: sailings to destinations in the UK and France. Daily journeys are operated to the UK destinations of Liverpool and Holyhead, while the Isle of Man can be reached onboard the Dublin to Liverpool service, with a stop at Douglas en-route, and during the summer months, there is a crossing available to Cherbourg in the French Normandy region.
Dublin to Cherbourg ferries
P&O Irish Sea provides a once weekly ferry service to Cherbourg in Normandy, departing from Terminal 3. However, the service is only available during the peak season summer months. Cherbourg Port handles in excess of a million passengers annually and its onboard amenities and services are very good, featuring a currency exchange service, a convenience shop, a café, a newsagent's and outstanding amenities for physically disabled passengers. You can find up-to-date travel information at the company's official website: www.poirishsea.com.
Dublin to Liverpool ferries
The major car ferry operator, P&O Irish Sea, also operates a service between Dublin and the busy Port of Liverpool. From Terminal 3, there is a twice daily cruise ferry departing to the renowned English city. The duration of the sea voyage is about 4 hours, 30 minutes.
Another well-established ferry company offering this service is the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. They operate two daily crossing year-round. Travel time is similar to the P&O Irish Sea Ferries' service. During the summer months, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company runs a high-speed service which only takes 2 hours, 45 minutes to reach Liverpool from Dublin. Liverpool boasts one of Britain's most significant ports and commendable amenities, including Birkenhead's new state-of-the-art terminal.
Dublin to Holyhead ferries
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries run the route between Dublin and Holyhead, and operational on this service is Stena Line's enormous car ferry, Ulysses. There are two daily sea voyages aboard the Ulysses, with a sailing time of approximately 3 hours, 15 minutes. Irish Ferries operates a fastcraft sailing on this route, which lasts less than 2 hours. This service is operated four times daily.
The Stena Adventurer is operated by Stena Line and navigates two daily return sea voyages to Holyhead, with a one-way crossing duration of 3 hours, 45 minutes. Holyhead Port is situated in North Wales on the Isle of Anglesey's western part. The facility handles a significant amount of nautical traffic each annum from Ireland; amenities at the port are extensive.
Dublin to Douglas ferries
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company also runs a seasonal summer ferry service to Douglas Port on the Isle of Man. Their vessel departs from Terminal 1. After the en-route stop at Douglas, the sea voyage continues its route onto Liverpool. The duration of the sailing to Douglas is approximately 3 hours, with crossings operated three times a week.
The Port of Douglas is positioned in the centre of the town and ranks as a significant port facility with outstanding features including many outlets and an excellent café, which can be found at the Sea Terminal's Departure Lounge.
Dublin to Mostyn ferries
The P&O Irish Sea Ferries service between Dublin and the Port of Mostyn is no longer available.