irishcar.com

28 May 2003: Irish Ferries celebrates a major milestone this year with the completion of 30 years of successful operations on their direct service between Ireland and France.

Inaugurated on June 2nd 1973, the Irish Ferries’ service to France began life under the Irish Continental Line banner with a sailing from Rosslare/Le Havre by the car ferry St. Patrick - a vessel purpose-built for the route and launched in Bremerhaven, Germany in January of that year.

It is the only direct, year-round passenger ferry connection between Ireland and the Continent.

In its 30 years history, the Irish Ferries service to France has operated across a network of five routes - two of which are currently in operation both made attractive for their short-sea crossing time. They are Rosslare/Cherbourg (opened 1978) and Rosslare/Roscoff (opened 1995). Other routes that formed the network are Rosslare/Le Havre (from 1977 to 1997), Cork/Le Havre (from 1983 to 1997) and Cork/Roscoff (from 1995 to 1997).

Since its introduction, four vessels have operated the service all of which became household names remembered with affection by the countless thousands of Irish and Continental holidaymakers who sailed on them. They are: mv St. Patrick (1977/82), mv St. Killian (1977/97) which later became St. Killian II after being ‘jumboised’ in 1981 when a 32-meters passenger section was added, mv St. Patrick II (1982/96) and mv Normandy, the present vessel which has operated the service since 1998.

Maintaining a schedule similar to when it began - with three return sailings weekly in winter increasing to a departure every second day in summer - Irish Ferries direct service to France merits the title ‘Ireland’s premier direct car ferry service to Continental Europe’ having maintained an unbroken record of operation across the 30 years that it has been in operation and being, as it is, the only year-round, direct car/ro-ro freight ferry link to Continental Europe. During that time it has played an integral part in helping Irish Ferries win numerous passenger, freight and tourism awards.

In this, the service continues to play a major role in the social and commercial life of Ireland. The millions of passengers transported throughout its life - together with the numerous tourist cars and freight units - have contributed significantly to Irish tourism whilst bringing major economic benefit to Rosslare, Wexford and the South East generally. Moreover, as an instrument of social interchange, the service has helped forge closer relationships between communities here and in Continental Europe - a record that no other ferry company can equal.

As Sales Manager Declan Mescall comments ‘many of those who sail with us today are second and third generation clients...the children and grandchildren of those who travelled with us in the 70s and 80s when they were first introduced to the joys of a motoring holiday in France.’

	May 2003 - Remi Blondet
Irish Ferries celebrates 30 years to France 28 May 2003: Irish Ferries celebrates a major milestone this year with the completion of 30 years of successful operations on their direct service between Ireland and France. Inaugurated on June 2nd 1973, the Irish Ferries’ service to France began life under the Irish Continental Line banner with a sailing from Rosslare/Le Havre by the car ferry St. Patrick - a vessel purpose-built for the route and launched in Bremerhaven, Germany in January of that year. It is the only direct, year-round passenger ferry connection between Ireland and the Continent. In its 30 years history, the Irish Ferries service to France has operated across a network of five routes - two of which are currently in operation both made attractive for their short-sea crossing time. They are Rosslare/Cherbourg (opened 1978) and Rosslare/Roscoff (opened 1995). Other routes that formed the network are Rosslare/Le Havre (from 1977 to 1997), Cork/Le Havre (from 1983 to 1997) and Cork/Roscoff (from 1995 to 1997). Since its introduction, four vessels have operated the service all of which became household names remembered with affection by the countless thousands of Irish and Continental holidaymakers who sailed on them. They are: mv St. Patrick (1977/82), mv St. Killian (1977/97) which later became St. Killian II after being ‘jumboised’ in 1981 when a 32-meters passenger section was added, mv St. Patrick II (1982/96) and mv Normandy, the present vessel which has operated the service since 1998. Maintaining a schedule similar to when it began - with three return sailings weekly in winter increasing to a departure every second day in summer - Irish Ferries direct service to France merits the title ‘Ireland’s premier direct car ferry service to Continental Europe’ having maintained an unbroken record of operation across the 30 years that it has been in operation and being, as it is, the only year-round, direct car/ro-ro freight ferry link to Continental Europe. During that time it has played an integral part in helping Irish Ferries win numerous passenger, freight and tourism awards. In this, the service continues to play a major role in the social and commercial life of Ireland. The millions of passengers transported throughout its life - together with the numerous tourist cars and freight units - have contributed significantly to Irish tourism whilst bringing major economic benefit to Rosslare, Wexford and the South East generally. Moreover, as an instrument of social interchange, the service has helped forge closer relationships between communities here and in Continental Europe - a record that no other ferry company can equal. As Sales Manager Declan Mescall comments ‘many of those who sail with us today are second and third generation clients...the children and grandchildren of those who travelled with us in the 70s and 80s when they were first introduced to the joys of a motoring holiday in France.’
Email a comment or TEXT 086 8267104	©2003 irishcar.com