Irish Ferries.

Irish Ferries likes to see itself as the "low cost ferry company".

September 2011 - Irish Ferries will be the only carrier operating a fast ferry to Ireland this autumn and winter, as rivals end fast ferry services on 14 September. The 'Dublin Swift', which can cross from Holyhead to the heart of Dublin in one hour and 49 minutes, will continue to operate twice a day in each direction. Irish Ferries' other vessels, the cruise-ferry Ulysses and the Isle of Inishmore also continue to sail as normal, which means that travellers have a choice of two Irish Ferries routes with six return sailings to Ireland, every day, all year round. The Swift, a twin-hulled catamaran with a draught (depth in water) of just 3.2 metres, can carry 700 passengers and 185 cars, with room for a Club Class lounge, two bars, a brasserie and cafÈ. Swift fares this autumn start at £113 for a car and driver.

March 2011 - Irish ferries launch online SailRail booking to anywhere in Britain. So would now be a good time to mention that Irish Ferries have just launched online sales for cheap SailRail tickets from anywhere in Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, you name it) to anywhere in Britain (London, Manchester, Norwich, Brighton, wherever)? This is a first - Dublin-London 40 euros any day, fixed price even bought on the day of departure. Galway to London 60 euros, Dublin to Edinburgh 40 euros. No baggage fees, no surcharges, no extra cost to get to and from airports.

September 2010 - Mini Cruise and Wine Sailing to France. Irish Ferries is hosting their popular Autumn mini-cruises to France the first of which will depart from Rosslare to Cherbourg on Wednesday, 1st September. Further mini-cruise sailings will operate through to 20th December next including sailings on the Rosslare to Roscoff route. Appealing to wine lovers anxious to get cracking on their Christmas shopping, fares are from EUR99 return per adult and EUR69 per child. An extra EUR89 for a car or motorbike applies when two or more adults travel together. Package includes two nights on board the 5-star cruise ferry "Oscar Wilde" with accommodation in a 2-bed ensuite cabin or in a superior cabin at a lower mini-cruise rate, plus up to 7 hours shopping in France with discounts available on wine purchases in selected outlets. Bookings can be made online at www.irishferries.co.uk

Routes;

- Rosslare to Roscoff, Journey time - 16 hours.

- Rosslare to Cherbourg, Journey time - 17 hours 30 minutes.

- Dublin to Holyhead

- Rosslare to Pembroke

Reservations; United Kingdom; 08705 17 17 17 / 0207 499 5744. Eire; 01 661 0511

Fax: Eire - 01 661 0743

Web site; www.irishferries.co.uk