gordonthemoron
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What are they like and which one is best?
I'm doing both next weekend
I'm doing both next weekend
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Holyhead-Dublin/Dun Laoghaire Fast Ferries
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gazthomas
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HSS pretty good, a little tired and slow compared to its prime though. Interchange at Dum Laogshire is great.
MidnightFlyer
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Dublin Port is a bit out of the way - IIRC there's a connecting coach to Connolly / City Centre (was €2) and Heuston (was €4), or a very, very, very long walk. As said above, Dunleary is a great interchange however.
The Fastcraft used for Dunleary-Holyhead isn't as expansive as the two used to / from Dublin if memory serves (only one deck / shop / a couple of cafes), but I got lost in a sea of timetables for the duration so I was fine - it's also somewhat less time too.
The Fastcraft used for Dunleary-Holyhead isn't as expansive as the two used to / from Dublin if memory serves (only one deck / shop / a couple of cafes), but I got lost in a sea of timetables for the duration so I was fine - it's also somewhat less time too.
Arglwydd Golau
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I usually use Irish ferries 'Jonathan Swift' - it's fine - to Dublin Port. Cruise ferry seems slow by comparison, sat on it now. Transfer by bus to Busaras included in the price this year on way over, return bus this evening cost 3 euro.
Eire Sprinter
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Both are good in my view. My favourite would be HSS Stena Explorer.
Dún Laoghaire's two piers have been likened to arms welcoming people. The East Pier is a popular walk and well worth experiencing (map & audio tour here) as is the Maritime Museum.
Last year Dublin Bay Cruises, some of which serve Dún Laoghaire commenced. More details here.
For the Jonathan Swift (aka Dublin Swift) from Holyhead to Dublin Port there are two bus options:
1. the bus (a double deck Dublin Bus) which Irish Ferries contract Dublin Bus to operate. Timetable here.
2. the route 53 scheduled bus (also a double deck Dublin Bus). Timetable here.. Fare €1.45 single to the city with a Leap Card or €1.80 if paying in cash.
Both buses depart from the Dublin Bus stop immediately outside Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries & Isle of Man terminal).
It's a pity the Fishguard-Rosslare fast ferry was withdrawn only a matter of months before the additional trains were introduced.
Arglwydd Golau, I was interested to hear that the ticket you got included the bus from the port to Busáras. Was this a port to port fare with the bus as an add-on or was it a SailRail fare?
OP, hope you have an enjoyable visit and that the weather is reasonable.
Dún Laoghaire's two piers have been likened to arms welcoming people. The East Pier is a popular walk and well worth experiencing (map & audio tour here) as is the Maritime Museum.
Last year Dublin Bay Cruises, some of which serve Dún Laoghaire commenced. More details here.
For the Jonathan Swift (aka Dublin Swift) from Holyhead to Dublin Port there are two bus options:
1. the bus (a double deck Dublin Bus) which Irish Ferries contract Dublin Bus to operate. Timetable here.
2. the route 53 scheduled bus (also a double deck Dublin Bus). Timetable here.. Fare €1.45 single to the city with a Leap Card or €1.80 if paying in cash.
Both buses depart from the Dublin Bus stop immediately outside Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries & Isle of Man terminal).
It's a pity the Fishguard-Rosslare fast ferry was withdrawn only a matter of months before the additional trains were introduced.
Arglwydd Golau, I was interested to hear that the ticket you got included the bus from the port to Busáras. Was this a port to port fare with the bus as an add-on or was it a SailRail fare?
OP, hope you have an enjoyable visit and that the weather is reasonable.
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Arglwydd Golau
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I was surprised myself as it was never included before and I was only informed when I received my boarding card upon check-in at Holyhead..the latter shows
'Extras - Dublin Port to Bus Aras'
Now I'm home I've just checked the booking details on the IF email and there it is...a free bus journey in both directions, but I couldn't use it on the return because I didn't have my return boarding pass (yet)! I wonder if the bus driver would have accepted a print-out of the email?
I booked in March when I received an email from Irish Ferries with a special offer for all bookings within a certain period.
It is the first time that I have ever had the bus journey to Bus Aras thrown in.
I had driven to Holyhead and left the car in the long stay carpark...£21 from Friday afternoon to early Tuesday morning
Eire Sprinter
Member
Interesting. I did a partial "dummy booking" on the Irish Ferries website to see what it would generate. It shows the bus transfer available as a £2.40 add-on. The terms & conditions notice indicates a printout is acceptable to the bus driver:
It was a nice touch to have this thrown in.
It was a nice touch to have this thrown in.
CallySleeper
Established Member
Never done the Swift, always done the HSS. I'd say it'll be busy since it's the Welsh bank holiday weekend.
Not as fast as it has been in the past but certainly quicker than the conventionals. If you do have time and the weather is nice, the East Pier at Dun Laoghaire is a nice wee walk if you don't want to sit in the terminal waiting. Onboard, the rear deck is also nice. There isn't a Maccy Ds on the HSS any more, all the catering now being inhouse.
Also, I've had the displeasure in the past of walking to Dublin Port from the city centre. My recommendation: don't do it.
Not as fast as it has been in the past but certainly quicker than the conventionals. If you do have time and the weather is nice, the East Pier at Dun Laoghaire is a nice wee walk if you don't want to sit in the terminal waiting. Onboard, the rear deck is also nice. There isn't a Maccy Ds on the HSS any more, all the catering now being inhouse.
Also, I've had the displeasure in the past of walking to Dublin Port from the city centre. My recommendation: don't do it.
IR-Mark4/ICR
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Me to!
mister-sparky
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Hi guys, I'm travelling from Limerick to London on 28th June using the RailSail from Dublin to Holyhead.
My train from Limerick gets into Heuston at midday, and I need to be at the docks at 2pm for a 2.30 Swift. However, I want to do a bit of sightseeing and stuff on the way as it'll be my first time in Dublin.
Will I have time to do anything on the way? If so, what do people recommend to see and do in the time? Also what is the best way to get from say Connolly to the docks? Thanks!
My train from Limerick gets into Heuston at midday, and I need to be at the docks at 2pm for a 2.30 Swift. However, I want to do a bit of sightseeing and stuff on the way as it'll be my first time in Dublin.
Will I have time to do anything on the way? If so, what do people recommend to see and do in the time? Also what is the best way to get from say Connolly to the docks? Thanks!
IR-Mark4/ICR
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You could squeese around an hour in Dublin before heading to the port.
You can get the express bus form Busarras (BUS station) (accross from Connolly) which departs at 13.15 and is timetabled to make the 14.30 sailing.,
http://www.irishferries.com/Global/Offers/IF_bus_service_euro.pdf
kylemore
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If you want to sample the HSS be quick as it appears that Stena have secured the "Dieppe Seaways" after her charter to DFDS terminates in the Autumn, she is a near sister of the "Superfast VII" and Superfast VIII" which have been a huge success on the revitalised Stena North Channel service from their new terminal at Cairnryan to Belfast, although called "Superfast" they are in fact conventional ferries albeit fast ones with excellent onboard facilities. If this is indeed the case the HSS will quickly be history and Irish Ferries will have some tough competition on their hands.
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Eire Sprinter
Member
It's possible to buy a Limerick - London SailRail though the widely available 9.99 Limerick-Dublin rail fares (11.99/12.99 when transaction/card fee is included) negates the benefits as the SailRail add-on for Limerick-Dublin is 20.
A visit to the museum in the G.P.O. in O'Connell Street could occupy a half hour or so. Admission is 2.
Eason's bookstore is nearby on O'Connell Street. Transport titles are to be found in the basement. There's also a small bookshop across the road from Eason's side doors (Middle Abbey Street entrance).
Hope you have a good journey.
kylemore
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Thats eerie because thats exactly what I did on a day trip to Dublin on the "Lady of Mann" from Douglas in 1983 - a visit to the GPO and then into the bookshop where I bought a copy of Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi"!
But I also managed to fit in a quick pint of Guinness in a typical wee Dublin Pub nearby before heading back to the boat - I would certainly recommend that!
mister-sparky
Member
I did look at booking the Limerick to Dublin ticket separately. However, I wanted to get the earlier train from Limerick at 9.45 to get to spend longer in Dublin, which is €19.99, not €9.99 like the others. Which is very annoying! If I wanted to get a €9.99 fare I'd only be able to spend 30mins exploring Dublin, which just isn't enough for what I want to do. Thanks for the input tho
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Neilo09
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Unfortunately "Dieppe Seaways" suffered a fire back on the 1st of May
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/boiler-room-blaze-on-dfds-16658/
gordonthemoron
Established Member
HSS was great, Swift was not due to:
Also, the seats on the DART TOKYU units were the worst I've ever come across, seemed to be designed for humans with long bodies and extremely short legs. The older stock was fine
- Half the size or smaller than HSS
- Extremely Rough Seas
- Late due to 2
- Going on deck was risking falling overboard
Also, the seats on the DART TOKYU units were the worst I've ever come across, seemed to be designed for humans with long bodies and extremely short legs. The older stock was fine
kylemore
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Nasty incident but don't think this will stop Stena's charter going ahead - her sisters on the North Channel along with the new terminals have transformed Stena's competitive situation there.
Eire Sprinter
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Amazing! I like the idea of fitting in a quick pint of Guinness too!
These days it's not possible to do a Douglas-Dublin day trip by sea, I suppose we're fortunate the ferry still runs as it has the lowest usage level of all the sea routes from the Isle of Man.
Back in 1983 the terminal was on North Wall Quay just a stone's throw from the city (nowadays its at Terminal 1 shared with Irish Ferries). The East Link Bridge, opened in 1984, would be raised to allow the IOM ferry sail by.
gordonthemoron
Established Member
If you want a quick pint of Guinness in Dublin, I would advise against visiting the Brew Dock pub next to Busaras (Bus Station) as it doesn't sell it. Massive range of beers, but no Guinness (and a bit pricey)
Thewanderer
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But in fairness the brewdock is not your typical pub. It specialises in craft beers. I had an excellent Christmas session in there last December. Food is very good also.
Flying Snail
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Something much less common over here compared to England and which should be encouraged.
If a quick pint of Guinness is required immediately off the bus then there are several pubs serving the usual fayre facing the main entrance to the bus station, Robert Reade's would be the best of them IMO.
Arglwydd Golau
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I'll second that...food is good. Also, it does serve a real ale from one of Ireland's few real ale breweries, if that is what you are looking for.
gordonthemoron
Established Member
I'm not knocking it, it was great, beer and food, and staff
Re. Brew Dock:-
...but does it do its own style of stout or porter?
Sounds good, I might check it out upon my next trip to Dublin.
...but does it do its own style of stout or porter?
Sounds good, I might check it out upon my next trip to Dublin.
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