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New Ferry to France (Launch Offer)

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    dockleaf wrote: »
    Having a fantastic holiday around Biarritz, Hossegor, Cap Breton, would highly recommend the areas to those yet undecided where to go. Loads of good restaurants, LOADS of places to go, things to do. So many things we are having to cherrypick, but most days the children just want to go to the beach. We're trying to persuade them to head for the pyrenees but even for ourselves the sea is so hard to leave...we are really spoilt for choice. Fresh fish/seafood every night, gorgeous chilled french wine, patisseries, we are heading home on the ferry next wednesday but living it up while here.;)

    Once again, merci bien to Johnny Fontane for a fantastic bargain...

    In Hossegor get a coffee from Chez Margaux, lovely littke coffee shop with great coffee and macaroons, visit Glaces Romane, best ice-cream in the area, directly across the road from it is a creperie, they're great from there, try take a trip down to the canal/lake if there too, if your good swimmers and high tide, you can jump from the bridge into the canal and swim up to the lake, on low tide you can walk the lake from one side to the other, there is also a La Creperie du Lac here, really lovely crepes too. There's a little yacht club by the lake too, with a restaurant, lovely little food selection and you can go out on the lake for an hour.
    In Capbreton there's a local pizzeria, cant remember the name, its beside a local dvd rental store, pizzas are great from it. There's a pirate village between Capbreton and Hossegor, just on the left by the bridge and also has amusments.
    In Seignosse, 7 minutes from Hossegor, there is an Aqua Park, its named Atlantic Park, great big slides and water fun for cheap, they have lots of other activities too, last time I was there last year, if I remember correctly it was €9 per adult and €7 per child, they also have a ticket for the family but you have to ask at the entrance.
    Hossegor and Capbreton both have Casinos too if your interested.
    Have fun and enjoy the rest of your holidays and safe journey.

    PS : if you have kids stock up on Doliprane, same as Calpol only its less than €2 a bottle, we usually get 12 bottles of it, we also stock up on Smecta and their equivelant of Solpadiene but I cant remember the name of it, sounds mad but it saves money over the year and you know you'll always have it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 158 ✭✭dockleaf


    August 1
    Fantastic tips, thanks! Intend to hit some of those cafes/patisseries over the next few days...:P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,552 ✭✭✭paddylonglegs


    Folks, I know there was a checklist going around a while ago. But for people that have been there and back this summer, anything that you found really handy while being away and being on the ferry. Specifically people that were on campsites, any tips for site?

    We plan to stay in at nazaire the night we land and drive down the next morning

    Chees!


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,737 ✭✭✭MidlandsM


    Folks, I know there was a checklist going around a while ago. But for people that have been there and back this summer, anything that you found really handy while being away and being on the ferry. Specifically people that were on campsites, any tips for site?

    We plan to stay in at nazaire the night we land and drive down the next morning

    Chees!

    Fans....no air con in the accomadation in the campsite.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    August 8
    Heading tonight, car packed, bike rack assembled, roof bag at the ready.

    how bad will the N11 from dublin be tonight?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,413 ✭✭✭Stab*City


    August 22
    Folks, I know there was a checklist going around a while ago. But for people that have been there and back this summer, anything that you found really handy while being away and being on the ferry. Specifically people that were on campsites, any tips for site?

    We plan to stay in at nazaire the night we land and drive down the next morning

    Chees!


    What page is the checklist on? Leaving today two weeks cant wait!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,076 ✭✭✭✭vienne86


    Heading tonight, car packed, bike rack assembled, roof bag at the ready.

    how bad will the N11 from dublin be tonight?

    I use that road a lot and would expect it to be busy tonight. That said, a lot of people seem to head off early, so it might be OK for you. Keep and eye on AA roadwatch.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    dockleaf wrote: »
    Fantastic tips, thanks! Intend to hit some of those cafes/patisseries over the next few days...:P

    Cool, keep me updated how you get on, just to let you know aswell, there is an industrial area between Seignosse and Hossegor, its named Soorts-Hossegor, its factory outlets, lovely bug wine shop and clothes shops (rip-curl, billabong etc).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    August 1
    Heading tonight, car packed, bike rack assembled, roof bag at the ready.

    how bad will the N11 from dublin be tonight?

    There's a lot of Motorway work going on around Jack Whites/Arklow which delayed us by about 30 minutes as there were long tail backs and we were stopped all together once or twice for five minutes at a time. We left Stillorgan around 3:15 and got to Culletons Bar for some food around 6pm.

    Have a great trip. If anyone deserves a great trip over it's yourself JF. I just wish I was on the sailing with you to buy you a pint!!!

    Where are you heading to when you land? The weather in St Jean de Monts has been pretty good. A bit of overcast for a few hours here and there but generally warm and sunny.

    Ben


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    August 8
    BenThere wrote: »
    There's a lot of Motorway work going on around Jack Whites/Arklow which delayed us by about 30 minutes as there were long tail backs and we were stopped all together once or twice for five minutes at a time. We left Stillorgan around 3:15 and got to Culletons Bar for some food around 6pm.

    Have a great trip. If anyone deserves a great trip over it's yourself JF. I just wish I was on the sailing with you to buy you a pint!!!

    Where are you heading to when you land? The weather in St Jean de Monts has been pretty good. A bit of overcast for a few hours here and there but generally warm and sunny.

    Ben

    There are ten of us (6 adults/4 kids) heading to the Loire, just south west of Tours. We've rented a big house, it looks pretty nice.
    Then 4 days camping at the end in St. Jean de Monts.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,309 ✭✭✭✭alastair


    July 4
    Folks, I know there was a checklist going around a while ago. But for people that have been there and back this summer, anything that you found really handy while being away and being on the ferry. Specifically people that were on campsites, any tips for site?

    We plan to stay in at nazaire the night we land and drive down the next morning

    Chees!

    I'd recommend the Best Western Express in St Nazaire for the overnight. Nice, new, small hotel with pleasant staff, well located for the ferry and the sights of the town. Parking is free in the public carpark outside at the weekend, and they've a secure underground carpark in the hotel that didn't cost us anything. It's a mite tight though. Stock up on snacks for the next day's drive in the adjacent Carrefour.

    My tip would be to watch out for 'priority to the right' intersections. There's one on the way from the ferry port into St Nazaire - caught me out, as I was ignorant of them - cue angry beeping from driver behind me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    August 1
    There are ten of us (6 adults/4 kids) heading to the Loire, just south west of Tours. We've rented a big house, it looks pretty nice.
    Then 4 days camping at the end in St. Jean de Monts.

    Sounds fantastic. Enjoy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 669 ✭✭✭galait


    August 8
    Regarding the Drive how is Enniscorthy traffic wise likey to be this evening + Bunclody


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,881 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    July 18
    Allow plenty of time for traffic this evening, we left at 4PM leaving Dublin 3 weeks ago and were comfortable (with plenty of time to go out for dinner before checking in), but that was not a bank holiday weekend. And as said, there are delays in the road works where the new motorway is being built and in Enniscorthy and maybe some other places.

    I used the Inrix app for traffic and it proved to be very accurate


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    August 8
    unkel wrote: »
    Allow plenty of time for traffic this evening, we left at 4PM leaving Dublin 3 weeks ago and were comfortable (with plenty of time to go out for dinner before checking in), but that was not a bank holiday weekend. And as said, there are delays in the road works where the new motorway is being built and in Enniscorthy and maybe some other places.

    I used the Inrix app for traffic and it proved to be very accurate

    thanks for that. Might actually take the other road down, through bunclody. probably 30 minutes slower but none of the hassle of the n11.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,342 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    July 25
    Heading tonight, car packed, bike rack assembled, roof bag at the ready.

    how bad will the N11 from dublin be tonight?

    We traveled to Rosslare via the M7/M9/N80, joining up with the N11 just north of Eniscorthy. The N7/M7 carries it's own traffic risks but we were joining at Kingswood but depending on where in Dublin you're starting from, it could be a good option.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 669 ✭✭✭galait


    August 8
    alias no.9 wrote: »
    We traveled to Rosslare via the M7/M9/N80, joining up with the N11 just north of Eniscorthy. The N7/M7 carries it's own traffic risks but we were joining at Kingswood but depending on where in Dublin you're starting from, it could be a good option.

    I intend going this route as I am in Citywest , Did you have any delays along the way , I intend hitting the road @ 4 PM to-day . Cheers


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,342 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    July 25
    galait wrote: »
    I intend going this route as I am in Citywest , Did you have any delays along the way , I intend hitting the road @ 4 PM to-day . Cheers

    None whatsoever. This being a Friday of a bank holiday will most likely be different on the N7 approaching Naas. If the worst comes to the worst, get into the left lane and head on through Naas and Kilcullen and back onto the M9.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,552 ✭✭✭paddylonglegs


    alastair wrote: »
    I'd recommend the Best Western Express in St Nazaire for the overnight. Nice, new, small hotel with pleasant staff, well located for the ferry and the sights of the town. Parking is free in the public carpark outside at the weekend, and they've a secure underground carpark in the hotel that didn't cost us anything. It's a mite tight though. Stock up on snacks for the next day's drive in the adjacent Carrefour.

    My tip would be to watch out for 'priority to the right' intersections. There's one on the way from the ferry port into St Nazaire - caught me out, as I was ignorant of them - cue angry beeping from driver behind me.

    Great thanks for that, I'll check out BW hotel.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,552 ✭✭✭paddylonglegs


    And of course in forgot to add that I'll have a 1 year old with (how could I forget my little angel! ;)

    So any tips on ferry or camping with the young un much appreciated


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 218 ✭✭tom traubert


    July 4
    @paddylonglegs, and anyone else looking for "the list" I've pasted it in below. I first saw it posted by juneg in January on the "things to do in...." thread in the Travel forum. Apologies for my apparent inability to link.

    Also, in relation to the soft play area mentioned in a few posts recently; don't rely on it being available for play. On one of our crossings it was occupied by a group of people and their sleeping bags, phones, tablets etc etc. The fact that there's powerpoints every metre or so along the wall there would suggest to me that it can also be designated as a sleeping area by management if required.

    Safe sailing and happy holidays to all yet to travel.


    [Pasted from another site: What to pack

    Here again is "The List" - it's not the definitive list but it's a great starting point and always encourages great add ons!



    Hi guys, thought it would be helpful to move this up. French supermarkets are great, you can get anything you need. The one next to our campsite even had an English section!

    Just another tip that I found useful. I had a collapsible crate in the car for bits n bobs and it was so handy as a shoe basket(7 of us) during our hols, also the plastic box I brought for foodstuffs I used as a toy box! It meant things were not all around the floor. Remember the planning is so much part of the fun!

    Last tip! I had brought plastic bowls n cups for the ferry but ended up using them for the entire hols. Didn't have to worry about breakages plus the bowls n plates were more suitable for the kids than the ones provided in the mobile!

    I have read all the replies here and on other threads and here is The List. This List is for camping in France and travelling by ferry - obviously everyone will amend this list to suit themselves but it's a starting point!

    The Ferry

    *Snacks etc packed into a lunchbox in a cooler bag(both will be handy for picnicing)

    *Drinks/Juices/Milk/Breakfast cereal/Bowls

    *Deck of cards/colouring book/DS

    *Overnight bag with pjs and change of clothes for everyone - have this bag very accessible in your car as you don't have long to exit the car deck and can't return.

    For the Mobile Home

    General

    *tinfoil,clingfilm, freezer blocks, sharp knife, potato peeler, mugs,

    *washing up liquid, handwash, detergent tabs, colour catcher sheets, clothes pegs, 1x toilet paper, soap, shower gel etc.

    *2xteatowels, 2 x j-cloths, scrubber, bathmat(old hand towel), beach bag, picnic rug, bbq tools, matches, plug adapter

    If you wish a radio, dvd player

    Food

    Teabags, coffee, ketchup. full salt cellar, favourite breakfast cereal, tins of baked beans/spaghetti, small olive oil, some packet mixes

    Clothes

    1 pair of runners, sandals, flipflops pps

    4x shorts+ t-shirts, 2 x fleeces, 2 x 3/4 length trousers, 2 x swimwear,

    and if room rainjacket and wellies.

    First Aid

    Suncream/Aftersun, Calpol/Nurofen/Paralink, plasters, germolene, antisceptic cream, insect repellent, thermometer, dry antibiotic(available from doctor)

    If you can throw in tennis racquets + football

    Was reminded about the car!

    The Car

    Breathalyser (from July)

    Luminous Vest

    Warning triangle

    Number plate with EU logo

    Motor insurance certificate

    Headlamp converters for driving on the right

    Drivers Licence

    Recommended

    Spare bulbs for external lights

    Fire Extinguisher

    First Aid Kit

    Tips

    Supermarkets may not be open on Sundays - hence be prepared for 1st night - food wise eg before you leave make a dinner, freeze then bring with you and dinner's covered.

    Safes are available at reception

    Check out sports store Decathlon - great value www.decathlon.fr

    Research your area and have a list of "sunny" day trips and "rainy" day trips

    Pack foodstufs into a box which you can then use on return journey for wine

    With regard to washing I would try and only have to do two in 10 - 12 days. Is a bit of an all day event first you have to get a washing machine and then you have to be lucky to get the dryer ( weather didn't really allow for air drying) so you can end up making a few trips back n forth to the laundry to get the job done.

    Then sit back relax and enjoy your holiday.

    Hope you find this helpful


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,881 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    July 18
    alias no.9 wrote: »
    We traveled to Rosslare via the M7/M9/N80, joining up with the N11 just north of Eniscorthy.

    I thought of that as I'm in Lucan and it takes only about 45 minutes (with no traffic) to get to Carlow these days. Dismissed it though as the N80 was a brutally slow road the last time I was on it - admittedly many years ago. Is it better now?

    Edit: just checked AA route planner and it is only 10km (and 18 minutes) more via M9/M80 to Rosslare for me (obviously without taking traffic / roadworks into account). Might try it next year :D

    Bon voyage Johnny and others, you should be off in the next wee while!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,342 ✭✭✭alias no.9


    July 25
    unkel wrote: »
    I thought of that as I'm in Lucan and it takes only about 45 minutes (with no traffic) to get to Carlow these days. Dismissed it though as the N80 was a brutally slow road the last time I was on it - admittedly many years ago. Is it better now?

    Edit: just checked AA route planner and it is only 10km (and 18 minutes) more via M9/M80 to Rosslare for me (obviously without taking traffic / roadworks into account). Might try it next year :D

    Bon voyage Johnny and others, you should be off in the next wee while!

    We're neighbours then!

    The N80 is a mix of some reasonably good single carriage way complete with hard shoulders and everything :o and (mostly) narrower twisty sections with no shoulders to speak of but no worse than some of the remaining single carriageway sections of the N11.
    There's precious little traffic on it these days. I just figured we'd get through the N7/M7 merge as quickly as the M50/M11 and once we were onto the M9, we'd have no more traffic.
    I don't know that it was better or worse on the day, just that we had a free run all the way there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭ShatterProof


    July 11
    Don't forget this is the busiest weekend of the year on French roads, motorways will be packed.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,737 ✭✭✭MidlandsM


    Bon voyage Johnny and others indeed.

    Have a great one


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 396 ✭✭murria


    Slightly off topic, but I would just like to give a word of thanks to Dai John for sharing his (almost) toll free route from Cherbourg to Spain. It worked really well and we saw much more of the French and Spanish countryside than usual. The buggers have sneaked in an extra toll between Bordeaux and Biarritz at €3.50, but overall you saved us between €90 - €100. Mr. Murria was extremely impressed.

    Many thanks Dai. :)


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    murria wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but I would just like to give a word of thanks to Dai John for sharing his (almost) toll free route from Cherbourg to Spain. It worked really well and we saw much more of the French and Spanish countryside than usual. The buggers have sneaked in an extra toll between Bordeaux and Biarritz at €3.50, but overall you saved us between €90 - €100. Mr. Murria was extremely impressed.

    Many thanks Dai. :)

    Care to share the route?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 396 ✭✭murria


    Care to share the route?

    Dai John wrote: »
    For the attention of Murria and anyone else interested; cheap driving route to Spain from Cherbourg... St. Lo..Mayenne..Laval....Anger (before Anger take motorway direction Paris then turn off for Cholet motorway...this is free and will by-pass Anger..switch off your sat.nav)...Follow signs for Poitiers..to ring road passing airport and pick up sign for Angouleme...then Bordeaux..around ring road and pick up signs for San Sebastion/ Bayonne. Straight road to Spanish border ( the only tolls are on this road..total11 euro) When you cross border ( after Hendaye turnoff) and over river turn off for Pamplona. Stay on same road to by-pass Pamplona and you will pick up signs for Zaragoza...you will be given the option of National or motorway, take national to Zaragoza ring road. Turn right onto ring road and exit for Teruel/Valencia...new free motorway all the way to Sagunto, then by pass Valencia.. south of Valencia take national road for Alicante/Albecette. Come off at La Font de la figuera and by pass will take you around village but they were building a new by-pass. A few miles further and you will turn off for Alicante, you should know your way then, before Alicante take motorway direction Murcia then Cartegena. I go to San Miguel total 950 miles.Hope this helps ,put it here in case anyone else interested to save repeating myself as I am a poor typist.

    On the way back through France we tried to go with SatNav using toll free routes but it was pushing us towards longer routes than the one Dai told us about.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 615 ✭✭✭Boaty


    What's the capacity of the ferry cars wise?

    I seen someone say they were 10 minutes getting off the ship dispute being in the top deck.

    I was 1 hour and 10 getting off the OW which is a massive annoyance for people who have 7 hour drives.

    I was still 20 minutes getting off the top deck dispite being the 2nd car off the top deck on the return journey

    OW was also delayed for an hour and a half in Cherbourg on the return journey so sitting in the queue for 2 hours wasn't fun.
    Tho they did make up the time during the night.

    The food in the self service is nothing to be desired.

    There's no stage show on the JD lines so that would be a downfall.
    There was only 30 people in the bar at the front of the OW at 9 o clock compared to a packed out back bar.

    it will be interesting to see what JD's price will be next year.


  • Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭metrostation


    Hate to burst your bubble here but their may not be an LD service next year, apparently they have lost the MOS funding which would make most of their routes unprofitable, which will surely mean the end of the Rosslare - st Nazaire - Gijon route


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭juneg


    July 4
    Hate to burst your bubble here but their may not be an LD service next year, apparently they have lost the MOS funding which would make most of their routes unprofitable, which will surely mean the end of the Rosslare - st Nazaire - Gijon route

    have you a link to that or further info please?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,881 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    July 18
    Boaty wrote: »
    I seen someone say they were 10 minutes getting off the ship dispute being in the top deck.

    About 5 minutes. And we were at the very front on the top deck on the way back (so one of the last off). It's a small boat with not all that many cars on it. The on/off seemed to be very efficient. Plenty of staff too to marshall you out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,076 ✭✭✭✭vienne86


    Hate to burst your bubble here but their may not be an LD service next year, apparently they have lost the MOS funding which would make most of their routes unprofitable, which will surely mean the end of the Rosslare - st Nazaire - Gijon route

    Feck it anyway. Better get on and get myself organised for this year so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,247 ✭✭✭Qwerty?


    July 18
    Thanks again to the op for this offer, just finishing up a fantastic holiday and heading back on the Wednesday ferry. Met a good few that also used LD lines, everyone very happy with them and their service. Would be a shame if they don't return next year, even if they were as dear as the other options, sailing into Saint Nazaire is a huge advantage for driving down past the Vendee.


  • Registered Users Posts: 890 ✭✭✭raher1


    August 22
    How for a car and one person ? Return journey


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    raher1 wrote: »
    How for a car and one person ? Return journey

    Depends on when, vehicle size, number of people etc.

    You'll have to put in your details to find out: http://ldlines.co.uk/


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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Guys- I want to go to Portugal- somewhere in the vicinity of Peniche- all the way down including Lisbon and Setubal (I actually want to go to Obidos- but am willing to explore the various options).

    At the moment I'm sort of drawn to the Dunlaoghaire to Holyhead, drive down to Poole- and do the LD Lines Poole to Gijun, and then just take the motorway down (probably 7-8 hours drive through Spain routing through Portugal on the EN222 motorway via Castelo Melhor- obviously aiming eventually for the A8 Oest- which will entail a little cross country driving).

    I've a 3 and a 4 year old. I'm planning in advance (this is for next June/July) and was wondering if the good folks here have any advice to impart.

    Destination is fixed (its where my Dad lives)- route is open to negotiation- but need to be cognisant of the young children, tight finances- and the shortest most easy journey- without breaking the bank. Conflicting aims. I'm not avoiding motorways/tolls- and I have a Portuguese Toll Pass- so, I've no issue with avoiding the boothless roads either.

    Any suggestions?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,085 ✭✭✭paddydriver


    July 4
    Regarding no service next year, my brother in law was coming back on the return trip recently and he got chatting to a few of the staff and they said there was not going to be a service next year.

    Hopefully this changes! I cannot see how they could possibly be profitable unless getting some type of grant or using it as some type of tax write off etc.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Regarding no service next year, my brother in law was coming back on the return trip recently and he got chatting to a few of the staff and they said there was not going to be a service next year.

    Hopefully this changes! I cannot see how they could possibly be profitable unless getting some type of grant or using it as some type of tax write off etc.

    People are privately saying that Port of Cork- could be back on- initially purely as a RORO commercial route with the intention of expanding it to limited ferry capacity in the summer months. I've e-mailed Port of Cork- but am unable to get a coherent response from them. Personally I'd be ecstatic if a direct route to Gijun from Cork was established- the St Nazaire route is great- but only really if you were trying to get there as a primary destination- a Spanish stop-off possibly en-route to St Nazaire, has the commercial demand, and probably the tourist demand.

    Alternatively- do what was originally discussed- 2 sailings a week- one directly to St. Nazaire, one to Gijun, with the 7-8 hour stop-over, and stagger the sailings, so every second one has a French or a Spanish primary stop-off.

    It would be interesting to see if LD Lines made money on the St. Nazaire route this summer- obviously schekels talk........


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,644 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    Plus Cork port is very easy to get to though BF will get their knickers in a twist.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,083 ✭✭✭juneg


    July 4
    People are privately saying that Port of Cork- could be back on- initially purely as a RORO commercial route with the intention of expanding it to limited ferry capacity in the summer months. I've e-mailed Port of Cork- but am unable to get a coherent response from them. Personally I'd be ecstatic if a direct route to Gijun from Cork was established- the St Nazaire route is great- but only really if you were trying to get there as a primary destination- a Spanish stop-off possibly en-route to St Nazaire, has the commercial demand, and probably the tourist demand.

    Alternatively- do what was originally discussed- 2 sailings a week- one directly to St. Nazaire, one to Gijun, with the 7-8 hour stop-over, and stagger the sailings, so every second one has a French or a Spanish primary stop-off.

    It would be interesting to see if LD Lines made money on the St. Nazaire route this summer- obviously schekels talk........

    Ok the bargain watch for new routes and operators out of Cork or Rosslare starts here. We might get lucky again next year, Keep an eye out everyone. In fact we should all lobby them..

    who's in???:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    TheDriver wrote: »
    Plus Cork port is very easy to get to though BF will get their knickers in a twist.....
    Not if the sailings are to Spain or Portugal.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    TheDriver wrote: »
    Plus Cork port is very easy to get to though BF will get their knickers in a twist.....

    Im in Dublin and its quicker for me to get to Ringaskiddy than it is Rosslare, mainly the reason I use BF, plus the times are better


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65,881 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    July 18
    billie1b wrote: »
    Im in Dublin and its quicker for me to get to Ringaskiddy than it is Rosslare

    How is that possible?

    Dublin -> Rosslare 162km / 2h8m
    Dublin -> Ringaskiddy 262km / 2h58m

    According to AA route planner. Even if you live on the Naas road, say in Clondalkin, these differences are only slightly smaller.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    unkel wrote: »
    How is that possible?

    Dublin -> Rosslare 162km / 2h8m
    Dublin -> Ringaskiddy 262km / 2h58m

    According to AA route planner. Even if you live on the Naas road, say in Clondalkin, these differences are only slightly smaller.

    I live in Blanchardstown, 2hr 10 minutes to Ringaskiddy all motorway, hardly any traffic, Rosslare 2h 30 minutes, lots of traffic and mixture of motorway / dual carriageway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,085 ✭✭✭paddydriver


    July 4
    Had a quick think on this one too re Rosslare Vs Cork and I agree that road to Cork is an easier drive but would probably still work out good bit longer.

    I am in Stillorgan and got to Rosslare comfortably under 2 hours and when driving to Cork I can make it to the Jack Lynch tunnel in little over 2 hours, so not sure how much further from there it is to the ferry terminal.

    All said, I will travel good distance for a good bargain alert:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,816 ✭✭✭billie1b


    Had a quick think on this one too re Rosslare Vs Cork and I agree that road to Cork is an easier drive but would probably still work out good bit longer.

    I am in Stillorgan and got to Rosslare comfortably under 2 hours and when driving to Cork I can make it to the Jack Lynch tunnel in little over 2 hours, so not sure how much further from there it is to the ferry terminal.

    All said, I will travel good distance for a good bargain alert:D

    About 15 minutes from the tunnel, the last few times I have done it, it took me 2:10/2:20 minutes, the longest was 2:20.
    Rosslare is poxy for times, i'm leaving to get there at rush hour times, where as with Cork im leaving at 11/11:30 am, makes a big difference on traffic, to me it does anyways.
    As I said, going out Cork suits me better, as the arrival time to France at 7am is better with an 8 hour drive after that. I take IF home most times, generally works out around 2:15h/2:30h drive from Rosslare to my house, get stuck behind a bus and a few 40ft trucks and you're bölloxed, can take longer.


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