Port of Holyhead

Ferries and Ferry Companies Operating
(Holyhead, Gwynedd, Wales, UK)

There are two ferry companies offering services from Holyhead Port, both of which are well established, reputable and provide efficient professional services.

Stena Line

Stena Line is a major ferry company providing crossings between mainland UK and both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The company's main routes are as follows: Fishguard to Rosslare, Fleetwood to Larne, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Port and Stranraer to Belfast.


Along these routes, Stena Line operates nine different vessels, all varying from one another, but with some common features.

The Stena Explorer is one of the vessels that provides an express service from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and is well equipped with passenger facilities including standard and executive lounges, shops, video game machines and a children's play area. For dining and refreshments, there's the Food City Restaurant as well as a Burger King, O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar, Spikes Bar and the Metropolitan Bar.

The Stena Voyager operates the Stranraer to Belfast route and is a similar vessel to the Stena Explorer in terms of speed capability and passenger capacity. Facilities are equally good, with lounges, bureau de change, a kid's cinema, gaming area and an ample selection of eating and drinking establishments. The Stena Caledonia also operates along this route.

The Stena Adventurer is a regular speed vessel providing crossings to Dun Laoghaire. The ship provides similar facilities to the aforementioned vessels, with some minor variations.

On the Fishguard to Rosslare route, the Stena Express and the Stena Europe provide services, with vessels offering basic and slightly more limited passenger facilities.
Finally on the Fleetwood to Larne route, the Pioneer, Leader and Seafarer are in operation, all of which offer basic dining, drinking and relaxation areas.

Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries is a major passenger ship company that runs three major routes that connect the Republic of Ireland with mainland UK and France. Holyhead to Dublin is perhaps the company's most significant route, with two major vessels providing crossings. Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff comprise the company's cross channel routes.

Along the Holyhead to Dublin route, Irish Ferries operates the Ulysses, which is hailed as the world's largest passenger ferry. The vessel has 12 decks and a capacity for 1,875 passengers and 1,342 cars. Ulysses is equipped with extensive passenger facilities, which include dining establishments such as Burger King, La Brioche Doree and Nora Barnacle's Food Emporium. Shops include the Grafton Shopping Arcade, while others amenities include lounges, cinemas and video gaming areas.

Also operating this route is the Jonathan Swift, an express vessel capable of making the journey in just 1 hour, 50 minutes. Facilities are ample on this ship, but are more restricted than those on the Ulysses, since time spent aboard is shorter.

The Isle of Inishmore plies the Rosslare to Pembroke route, while the Normandy operates along the Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff routes. Both vessels are equipped with a comprehensive selection of passenger amenities covering all the essentials, while the latter provides extras such as a cinema, disco and a casino.