Irish Ferries
Check prices & times »Irish Ferries is Ireland's leading ferry company, carrying passengers, cars and freight between Ireland, Britain and France for over 50 years. It's part of the Irish Continental Group, and has invested heavily to build one of the most modern fleets in Europe.
It runs the busy Irish Sea crossings to Wales, an overnight link to France, and — since 2021 — the Dover to Calais Channel route. This guide covers all its routes, the fleet, and how to book.
Irish Ferries routes
| Route | Duration | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin–Holyhead (Ireland–Wales) | ~2h fast / ~3h 15m cruise | Check Prices » |
| Rosslare–Pembroke (Ireland–Wales) | ~4 hours | Check Prices » |
| Dublin–Cherbourg (Ireland–France) | ~19 hours overnight | Check Prices » |
| Dover–Calais (Britain–France) | ~1h 30m | Check Prices » |
Irish Ferries competes with Stena Line on Dublin–Holyhead and, since 2021, runs the Dover–Calais crossing — its only route that doesn't touch Ireland.
Table of Contents
Dublin to Holyhead: the main route
Dublin to Holyhead is Irish Ferries' busiest crossing and the main link between Ireland and Wales, with up to four sailings a day.
You have a genuine choice of ship here: the cruise ferry Ulysses — the largest ROPAX on the Irish Sea, with a two-screen cinema, bars, restaurants and shopping — takes around 3 hours 15 minutes, while the Dublin Swift, the only fast ferry on the Irish Sea, does it in just over two hours. Read more about Dublin to Holyhead.
Rosslare to Pembroke and the France routes
Beyond the main Dublin route, Irish Ferries runs:
- Rosslare–Pembroke: the southern Wales–Ireland crossing, around four hours, handy for south-east Ireland and South Wales
- Dublin–Cherbourg: a direct overnight link to Normandy, around 19 hours, letting you reach France from Ireland without driving through Britain
- Dover–Calais: added in 2021, Irish Ferries' first route not touching Ireland, competing on the short Channel crossing
The Irish Ferries fleet
Irish Ferries operates one of the most modern fleets in Europe, following investment of around €450 million.
The flagship Ulysses was the world's largest car ferry when launched in 2001 and remains the biggest ROPAX on the Irish Sea. Other ships include the award-winning W.B. Yeats, the Isle of Inishmore, Isle of Innisfree and Isle of Inisheer, the James Joyce, and the fast ferry Dublin Swift.
Onboard and booking
What to expect and know when booking Irish Ferries:
- Onboard: restaurants, cafés and bars, a Club Class lounge, large shopping areas, children's play areas and a cinema on the flagship
- Cabins: available on the longer sailings and the overnight France crossings
- Pets: pet-friendly services on its routes, with policies varying by crossing
- Fast option: the Dublin Swift crosses in just over two hours in summer, weather permitting
- Booking: online, using a booking confirmation code rather than a paper ticket
Frequently Asked Questions
What routes does Irish Ferries run?
Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke across the Irish Sea, Dublin–Cherbourg to France, and Dover–Calais on the Channel.
How long is the Irish Ferries Dublin to Holyhead crossing?
Around 3 hours 15 minutes on the cruise ferry Ulysses, or just over two hours on the Dublin Swift fast ferry.
What is the Dublin Swift?
Irish Ferries' fast ferry — the only fast craft on the Irish Sea — crossing between Dublin and Holyhead in just over two hours.
Does Irish Ferries sail to France?
Yes — a direct overnight route from Dublin to Cherbourg, around 19 hours, plus the Dover to Calais Channel crossing.
What is the largest Irish Ferries ship?
The Ulysses, the flagship, which was the world's largest car ferry when launched in 2001 and is the biggest ROPAX on the Irish Sea.