Ferries to Ireland from Mainland Europe

Via France to Ireland

If you are willing to drive a little further to a French port, three direct ferries to Ireland are within reach. Crossings take 14–19 hours and sail overnight.

Cherbourg – Rosslare

From Cherbourg in Normandy to Rosslare in southeast Ireland, Brittany Ferries sails year-round, up to five times a week. The crossing takes around 17–18 hours. This route is ideal for Dublin (2 hrs to the north), the east coast with Wexford and Wicklow, the southeast with Waterford and Kilkenny, as well as Cork and the whole of southern Ireland. The Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are also easily reached from here. Cherbourg is roughly a 7–8 hour drive from western Germany (via Belgium and northern France, from Cologne for example) - worth bearing in mind if you are coming from further east in mainland Europe.

Cherbourg – Dublin

The second connection from Cherbourg runs in around 19 hours direct to Dublin, operated several times a week by Irish Ferries. This route is perfect for Dublin and its surroundings, the east coast up to Belfast, the northwest with Donegal and Sligo, the Midlands, and as a starting point for touring the whole of Ireland. Ideal if you want to reach the Irish capital without a detour via Great Britain.

Roscoff – Cork

From Roscoff in Brittany, Brittany Ferries sails up to twice a week to Cork in southern Ireland. At around 14 hours, this is the shortest direct ferry connection between France and Ireland. This route is the best choice for Cork City and its surroundings, the spectacular southwest coast with the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, the Dingle Peninsula and the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way. Roscoff, however, is further from central mainland Europe (around 10–11 hours' drive from Cologne, for example) and suits travellers who are already planning a stopover in Brittany or Normandy.

Via England to Ireland

The classic route takes you by car via Belgium or the Netherlands to the English Channel, through England, and then by ferry from Britain's west coast to Ireland. It is the longer way round, but offers the shortest sea crossings and the greatest flexibility.

Crossing the English Channel

For the Channel crossing, you have several options:

• Calais – Dover (90 min, P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries – hourly departures)
• Eurotunnel Calais – Folkestone (35 min pure crossing time – the fastest option)
• Dünkirchen – Dover (2 hrs, DFDS – an alternative to busy Calais)
• Hoek van Holland – Harwich (6.5–8 hrs, Stena Line – a relaxed overnight ferry from the Netherlands)
• Rotterdam – Hull (11–12 hrs, P&O Ferries – overnight ferry, handy if you are coming from further north)

Continuing through England to Ireland

From the English coast, you continue to the ferry ports on the west coast:

• Holyhead – Dublin (3–3.5 hr crossing, Irish Ferries & Stena Line – the highest frequency)
• Fishguard – Rosslare (3.5 hrs, Stena Line)
• Pembroke – Rosslare (4 hrs, Irish Ferries)

Which route from mainland Europe is best?

The right route depends on where you are starting from and where in Ireland you are headed:

• Fastest overall journey to Dublin? → Eurotunnel + Holyhead–Dublin. From western Germany, around 14–15 hours is achievable including the ferry.
• Most relaxed journey? → Dünkirchen–Rosslare with DFDS. Just a short drive to the port, then straight on board - cabin and meals included. You wake up in Ireland.
• Heading to southwest Ireland (Cork, Kerry)? → Cherbourg–Rosslare or Roscoff–Cork. The longer overland leg through France is made up for once you are on Irish soil.
• Travelling from Belgium or the Netherlands? → Dunkirk is close by for the direct Rosslare ferry, or continue on to Hoek van Holland or Rotterdam for the route via England.
• Coming from further afield in mainland Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Austria)? → Head for Cherbourg via France, or for Dunkirk via Belgium, depending which fits your route better.
• Cheapest option? → Calais–Dover + Holyhead–Dublin is usually the most affordable combination, though it means the longest overland drive.