This
is a relaxing alternative to seeing Ireland
or travelling to and from other European
destinations. There are often boat tours
within cities that have a river like Paris.
You could also cruise the canals and navigable
rivers of Ireland by houseboat.
Ferries in Dublin
There's a thirty minute car ferry across
the Shannon River between Tarbert in Co.
Kerry and Killimer in Co. Clare. It leaves
Killimer every hour on the hour and Tarbert
every hour on the half hour. It costs €12.50
per car one way; foot passengers pay €3.
Contact Shannon Ferry Ltd. (www.shannonferries.com,
tel. (065) 53124).
A ten minute car ferry operates between
Ballyhack, Co. Wexford, and Passage East,
Co. Waterford. It takes an hour off your
driving time. The first departure is 7.20am
weekdays, 9.30am Sunday, the last departure
at 10pm (summer) or 8pm (winter). Costs
per car including passengers are €5.70
one way; foot passengers pay €1.20;
car loads pay €8.30 for return passage;
foot passengers pay €1.90, tel. 051
82480.
Irish Ports
There are ferry ports along the north, east
and south coast. It is possible to travel
by ferry to/from France, Scotland, England,
and Wales. Services are offered by a number
of different companies. The main ports in
the Republic of Ireland are Dublin, Dun
Laoghaire, Cork and the Rosslare Europort.
Port of Dublin
Ireland's busiest port is located 5 kms
East of the City Centre. A connecting bus
service is available to the city centre
from the Ferryport. Dublin Port offers services
to Holyhead in Wales, cherbourg in France
and Liverpool and Mostyn in England. www.dublinport.ie
Port of Dun Laoghaire
Dun Laoghaire Harbour is 11 kms South of
Dublin City and there are frequent rail
services to Dublin. From Dun Laoghaire you
can travel to Holyhead in Wales with Stena
Line ferries. www.dlharbour.ie
Rosslare Europort
Ferry routes to and from France and Wales
(Pembroke and Fishguard) come into Rosslare
Europort in County Wexford. Ferry companies
operating from Rosslare are P&O Irish
Ferries, Irish Ferries and Stena Line. To
continue your travel into Ireland, bus and
rail connections are available at the Rosslare
terminal. http://www.irishrail.ie/rosslare/home/
Port of Cork
On the southern coast of Ireland, Port of
Cork is a good destination if you want to
explore the south of Ireland. Ferries from
Swansea in Wales are regular and ferry routes
from France are operated on a seasonal (summer)
basis. Ferries Companies operating to Cork
are Swansea - Cork Ferries and Brittany
Ferries. www.portofcork.ie
ACCOMODATION
Obviously this will depend on your mode
of transport. If you are coming ashore at
night you may consider some of the accommodation
options we offer through our booking
engine. If you are camping on a water
route make sure you practice low impact
camping (i.e what you bring in you take
away – note that on some water ways
even human waste is supposed to be brought
out).
SAFETY
Weather conditions can change fast on water.
Know the weather forecast and the expected
weather at that time of year. Also keep
an eye on tides and estimated sun down times.
Always take a medical kit with you. Remember
any trip on the water should be planned
bearing in mind it could turn into an overnight
trip even if it is supposed to be a 1-day
activity. The best solution for the first
signs of hypothermia are a warm, sweet drink.
Take a compass, first aid kit and additional
supplies of food and water with you.
BOATING
IN Ireland Houseboats
These usually accommodate four to 12 passengers
and can be rented for a weekend or several
weeks.
These houseboats resemble true barges and
are usually equipped with a kitchen, comfortable
sleeping cabins and a bathroom. When you
want to shop or eat or explore, tie up to
a tree and head ashore. There are lots of
places that rent barges, they can start
from Euro 1000 a week for a 2 person barge
so it's not a cheap way to travel.
Kayaking or Canoeing
For the more adventurous planning to do
your own sailing, kayaking or canoeing trip
then you need to prepare adequately. We
would assume people doing their own kayaking
or canoeing trips will have adequate experience
and skill on the water and examine the route
they are taking carefully. Some of the following
handy hints and absolute essentials should
be obvious: - a basic repair kit and safety
equipment for your boat. This will include
extra rope (make sure it is tied up and
out of the way), life jackets, a tow rope
(if you need to help someone out), flares
etc.
- extra snack food and water (it can be
a long way between towns in some parts,
particularly if you get marooned with an
injury or get lost!)
- pack light! You can buy extra food as
you go and you really only need basic water
gear and a change of clothes if you go into
towns.
- get some maps (detailed for any small
rivers that you might take)
- itinerary - give someone a copy of your
itinerary and check in with them every few
days so they know you are okay.
USEFUL
LINKS
Ferrybooker.com: Ferries & tunnel to
Ireland, Ireland and Europe
Ferry Quotes and Booking, Select your route
eg. Dover - Calais. http://www.ferrybooker.com/
AFerry.to
Includes ferry timetable with real time
pricing and availability. http://www.aferry.to/
