Holyhead to Dublin Ferry
It’s late January and our Holyhead to Dublin ferry has been cancelled due to a technical difficulty. Luckily, we have a text message notification before leaving home, which happens to be fairly close to the ferry port on Anglesey, North Wales.
Our ferry is with Stena Line and there’s an option to re-book an alternative crossing for free. So, we choose the next available sailing which happens to be at 4pm.
It’s an easy drive to Holyhead, which seems effortless in comparison to our usual long journey to Dover.
After arriving at the ferry port, there’s an equally effortless check and boarding, as well as a bonus £20 in courtesy vouchers to spend on board. We don’t know why the freebie, but presume it’s due to the cancellation earlier today.
Setting sail – Holyhead to Dublin Ferry
A little after our sailing time of 4pm, the ferry starts moving and we settle in for the journey. There’s enough on board to occupy our minds. Soon, we’re drifting between the duty free shop and seating areas which are relatively empty.
Next, comes food, tucking into fish and chips at the ship restaurant, using our vouchers to help pay the bill.
Thankfully the sea is calm for the journey which takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. On board everything is orderly and rather good value we think, possibly being off season helps too.
First time to Ireland
Although it’s difficult to believe, but this is actually our first time trip to Ireland. How crazy it seems, despite living so close to the ferry port.
I’m unsure why we haven’t been before, but we can’t wait for the trip which is one of two halves. That’s because, we’re only in Ireland a few nights before taking a ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao with Brittany Ferries.
We’re then touring Spain before returning from Bilbao to Rosslare later in the Spring. This will be in April when we’ll pick up where we left off in Ireland.
So for the next few days, we’re only going to be exploring Dublin and the parts the en-route to Rosslare.
Schengen-free
Arriving in Dublin comes upon us rather quickly. The sailing has gone by in a flash, and we’re soon back in the campervan ready to drive off the boat.
At Dublin ferry terminal, we’re waved on through, with few other vehicles and darkness upon us.
Another interesting point for Ireland, it isn’t part of Schengen for us visiting from the UK, thanks to the common travel area arrangement. So, although we have our passports, we don’t have to use them!
Now all we have to do is find our way through Dublin, which is all lit up in the winter night. It’s actually freezing cold by the way, with frost and ice forecast overnight, we’ll be making sure the heating is on.
Our overnight stop is actually a parking area beside the War Memorial Gardens, which we’ve seen on the Park4Night App. There’s not a lot of choice, so we park up amongst four other campervans using the parking.
There’s a sports field next to us, which has some activity for a while, but otherwise it’s an ideal spot to walk into Dublin in the morning.
By the way, there’s no services here, it’s just a normal parking area with cars too, but our waste tanks are empty and fresh water full, so we’re all good for a couple of days!
Stena Line ferry cost £373 – our return booking was made in advance direct on their website.
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