SEALINK-HOLYHEAD
Justin Merrigan
Epsilon
Irish Ferries is increasing capacity and frequency on its Dublin to Holyhead service with the December 2013 introduction of a third ship, the Cartour Epsilon. Supplementing the service provided by the Ulysses and the high speed craft Jonathan Swift, the chartered ship enables Irish Ferries to offer up to 12 sailings a day on the central corridor crossing.
The Epsilon sailings from Dublin at 01.55 and 14.15 and from Holyhead at 08.00 and 20.00 meaning Irish Ferries now has a spread of sailings at strategic points across the day. Irish Ferries’ Marketing Director, Tony Kelly, said, ” Irish Ferries’ decision to invest in additional capacity at this time is a major vote of confidence by the Republic of Ireland’s leading ferry operator in the recovery of the country’s economy.
“We believe that Ireland has turned the corner and we are prepared to invest in the provision of improved services for our valued Freight and Tourism customers who have shown fantastic loyalty throughout the last five difficult years."
Built in 2011, the Epsilon has capacity for 500 passengers. Economy style facilities on board include a bar, cafeteria, self-service restaurant, two and four berth cabins and 2,860 lane metres of vehicle deck parking space.
In addition to operating between Dublin and Holyhead the Visentini-built RoPax also links Dublin with the French port of Cherbourg. The first weekend sailing being from Dublin on Saturday, 18th January 2014. The once-weekly, year round service departs Dublin every Saturday afternoon at 15.30, arriving into Cherbourg next morning at 11.30. Return sailings are from Cherbourg each Sunday at 07.00 with early arrival back into Dublin on Monday mornings at 11.00.
On the Dublin to Cherbourg link, the intention of Irish Ferries is to provide an economy-style service distinctly different from that operated by their cruise ferry Oscar Wilde which will continue to service routes from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Roscoff as before.
Because of the more limited range of cabins and passenger attractions on board the Epsilon when compared to the Oscar Wilde, Irish Ferries is seizing the opportunity to offer customers lower fares and an even broader choice of route options.
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EpsilonSitting under Holyhead Mountain, the Epsilon makes an impressive sight as she loads for Dublin on 12th March 2014. © Ronnie Roberts | EpsilonGliding across Holyhead Bay the Epsilon heads for Dublin on 12th March 2014. © Ronnie Roberts | Epsilon & UlyssesPassing at Holyhead 5th Feb 2014. © Ronnie Roberts |
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Cartour EpsilonLeaving Holyhead for Dublin 23rd Jan 2014. © Ronnie Roberts | Cartour EpsilonLeaving Holyhead for Dublin 23rd Jan 2014. © Ronnie Roberts | Cartour EpsilonRounding the breakwater, leaving Holyhead for Dublin 23rd Jan 2014. © Ronnie Roberts |
Cartour EpsilonLeaving Holyhead for Dublin 23rd Jan 2014. © Ronnie Roberts |