Fishguard to Dublin ferry: no direct route currently sailing
Fishguard-Dublin in short
- no direct ferry is currently sailing
- use Holyhead-Dublin if you need Dublin
- use Fishguard-Rosslare if you want to sail from South Wales
- Holyhead-Dublin is the main route and the one we would check first
- we have sailed Holyhead-Dublin on the Dublin Swift fast ferry
Fishguard to Dublin ferry: no direct service currently sailing
There is currently no direct Fishguard to Dublin ferry. The Fishguard-Dublin crossing appeared as a temporary alternative during the disruption at Holyhead, but it should no longer be treated as a bookable route.
If your destination is Dublin, the main option is now Holyhead to Dublin. If you specifically want to leave from Fishguard or South Wales, use Fishguard to Rosslare instead and continue overland from there.
This page is therefore no longer a normal route guide. It is a practical explanation of what happened, what to book instead, and when the old Fishguard-Dublin route might still appear in searches or older travel notes.
Main option for Dublin: Holyhead-Dublin
If you came here looking for a ferry to Dublin, this is the route to use. Holyhead-Dublin is the main direct Wales-Dublin ferry connection, with Stena Line and Irish Ferries operating regular services. Irish Ferries also uses the Dublin Swift fast ferry on selected sailings, which is the quick option we tested ourselves.
Note: the route card above is for the active Holyhead-Dublin route. For the full route guide, including Irish Ferries and Dublin Swift, use our Holyhead-Dublin ferry page.
Map: discontinued Fishguard-Dublin and active alternatives
The map should be read as an overview of the Wales-Ireland options. Treat Fishguard-Dublin as the discontinued/temporary line, and compare it with the active alternatives: Holyhead-Dublin for Dublin, and Fishguard-Rosslare or Pembroke-Rosslare for South Wales to Ireland.
Best alternatives to the Fishguard-Dublin ferry
| Alternative | Best for | Typical crossing | Ferrygogo verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holyhead-Dublin | Dublin, fastest Wales-Ireland route, most frequent choice | around 2h15 on Dublin Swift or about 3h15-3h30 on standard ferries | The main option if you actually want to arrive in Dublin. |
| Fishguard-Rosslare | South Wales, Pembrokeshire, Bristol, southwest England | about 3h15-3h30 | The logical route if Fishguard is the important part of your journey. |
| Pembroke-Rosslare | Another South Wales option, especially for southern Ireland | about 4 hours | Worth comparing with Fishguard-Rosslare if you are flexible on port. |
| Liverpool/Birkenhead-Dublin | Northwest England and longer overnight-style travel | much longer than Holyhead-Dublin | Useful for some northern journeys, but not the fastest Dublin route. |
Ferrygogo sailed the main alternative
We travelled from Holyhead to Dublin on Irish Ferries' Dublin Swift fast catamaran and returned with Stena Line. The Dublin Swift was quick and clean, and Club Lounge access was a nice upgrade, but the catamaran can move more than the larger conventional ferries in rougher weather.
Read our Holyhead-Dublin Dublin Swift experience →Why did the Fishguard-Dublin ferry appear?
Fishguard-Dublin appeared because Holyhead, normally the key Welsh port for Dublin, was disrupted after Storm Darragh damaged the port in December 2024. During that period, ferry operators and travellers needed temporary alternatives across the Irish Sea.
That situation is now historic. For normal travel planning, the route to check first is Holyhead-Dublin. It has the strongest frequency, the direct arrival into Dublin, and both Stena Line and Irish Ferries on the route.
If you are travelling from South Wales
Fishguard still matters, just not for Dublin. The regular route from Fishguard is to Rosslare, in southeast Ireland. This can work very well if you are starting in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, Bristol or the southwest of England and your Irish destination is not Dublin city itself.
For Dublin, however, Fishguard-Rosslare means extra driving across Ireland. That can be fine for a road trip, but it is usually not the most efficient way to reach Dublin.
Dublin Swift or the standard Holyhead-Dublin ferry?
| Option | Choose it when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin Swift fast ferry | You want the quickest crossing and conditions look calm. | It is a fast catamaran, so it can feel livelier in rougher seas. |
| Standard Holyhead-Dublin ferries | You want more space, more stable sailing and a more traditional ferry experience. | The crossing takes longer than Dublin Swift. |
On our own Dublin Swift crossing, the ship was cleaner and more comfortable than we expected. The outside area is not a classic open sun deck, but it was still nice to step outside briefly. If you are sensitive to motion, we would compare the standard ferries as well.
What should you book?
- Going to Dublin: start with Holyhead-Dublin.
- Starting in South Wales and heading to southern Ireland: compare Fishguard-Rosslare and Pembroke-Rosslare.
- Travelling from southwest England: Fishguard may still be convenient, but only if Rosslare works for your onward journey.
- Travelling with seasickness concerns: choose a larger conventional ferry rather than a fast catamaran when conditions are poor.
Practical questions
Is there a Fishguard to Dublin ferry?
No. There is currently no direct Fishguard-Dublin ferry. The route was used as a temporary alternative during the Holyhead disruption, but it is not a regular service.
What is the best ferry from Wales to Dublin?
Holyhead-Dublin is the main Wales-Dublin ferry route. It is the route to check first if you want to arrive directly in Dublin.
Can I still sail from Fishguard to Ireland?
Yes. Fishguard is still connected with Ireland via the Fishguard-Rosslare route. That is useful for South Wales and southeast Ireland, but not as direct for Dublin.
Why did people talk about Fishguard-Dublin?
The route appeared during the Holyhead port disruption after Storm Darragh. It helped provide extra capacity while the usual Holyhead-Dublin route was affected.
Is Dublin Swift worth it?
Dublin Swift is worth considering if you want the fastest Holyhead-Dublin crossing. We enjoyed the speed and cleanliness on board, but would choose a larger ferry if rough seas or seasickness are a concern.
Useful for travellers to France
Can you please tell us when the Fishguard to Dublin crossing will be added to the online booking options? Really need to be able to check prices for different dates, check room availability etc too.
Hi Graeme,
It is already in the booking module at the Stena Line website. I think you might have overlooked it.
Hope this helps.
Stenna booking for Fishguard to Dublin does not work. No available dates