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Journey from Holyhead to Dublin on the Fast Dublin Swift Catamaran Ferry

We booked the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin departing from Wales. We wanted to try this popular route because several operators run different types of vessels on it. Plus, it was a great opportunity to explore the Irish capital.

We chose the Dublin Swift ferry from Irish Ferries, a fast catamaran ferry for the outward journey. On the return trip, we opted for the regular ferry from Stena Line.

Our Departure from Holyhead

Holyhead, located in Wales, is a small port with a train station and a simple terminal building. The building includes a small shop and a few ticket desks. You can park your car here or drive straight to the check-in.

At check-in, you'll receive a hanger for your carโ€™s mirror. After that, you proceed to customs, where all vehicles are inspected, and drivers are frisked. Once through customs, you drive to the waiting area, where you can do a bit of shopping or use the facilities.

After a short wait, we saw the Dublin Swift ferry arrive. Interestingly, this ship was originally used by the US military under the name WestPac Express for transporting military vehicles and even helicopters. It has since been fully converted into a passenger ferry โ€“ and theyโ€™ve done an excellent job with the transformation!

Driving On Board

The boarding process is very straightforward, and the parking deck is spaciously designed. Below, you can see the boarding of the Dublin Swift and how the parking deck looks on board.

On Board

We were really pleasantly surprised by the overall cleanliness of the interior. Everything on board was spotless. You can also do a bit of shopping or grab a treat at Cafรฉ Lafayette.

At the back of the catamaran ferry, thereโ€™s an outdoor area enclosed by a cage-like structure. While itโ€™s not as relaxing as a sun deck on the slower ferries, itโ€™s still refreshing to step outside and take in the view. You also get a glimpse of other passing ferries, which adds a fun extra element to the experience.

The Dublin Swift does sway a bit more than a regular ferry, and the Irish Sea can be rough at times. So, if you're prone to seasickness, the regular ferry might be a more stable option.

Club Lounge Access

To fully explore the ship, we added Club Lounge Access to our booking, which cost around ยฃ18 per person. This included:

  • Priority boarding
  • Access to the Lounge at the front of the ship
  • A buffet with a variety of snacks and drinks
  • Complimentary coffee, tea, and more

Was Club Lounge Access on the Dublin Swift Worth It?

We noticed that Club Lounge Access was very popular on board, even with families. We felt the lounge was a great addition to our trip. Itโ€™s a quiet space with views from the front of the ferry, which enhances the experience. The buffet was reminiscent of a hotel breakfast (see photo), and it was very convenient to have. All in all, I would book it again next time.

Arrival in Dublin

The Port of Dublin is significantly larger compared to Holyhead and much busier due to the increased ferry traffic. In the photo, you can see ferries from Irish Ferries and Stena Line, which we took for our return journey. Weโ€™ll be sharing our experience of that crossing soon. Looking for ferry routes to Dublin? Weโ€™ve gathered them all here.

Have any questions? Feel free to ask below, and Iโ€™ll do my best to answer ๐Ÿ˜Š.

Curious about other ferry crossings? You can find them on our blog, including routes like Amsterdam to Newcastle, Rotterdam to Hull, and Hook of Holland to Harwich. Weโ€™re always updating it with our latest experiences.

Jelle van der Bij
Jelle van der Bij

Meet Jelle, the creative mind behind FerryGoGo, all the way from the Netherlands. His journey started when he was planning a big trip around the world. But there was a problem โ€“ he couldn't easily find information about ferry crossings. So, Jelle decided to take matters into his own hands and create FerryGoGo. Now, he's making it simple for tourists like you to find ferry routes and explore the world's waterways. Join Jelle on his mission to make ferry travel a breeze with FerryGoGo! ๐ŸŒ

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