Isle of Inishmore ferry

MV Isle of Inishmore is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry owned and operated by the Ireland-based company IRISH FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2,200 passengers and 856 cars (or 122 trucks). The vessel was launched in 1997 and currently operates on the England–France route Dover–Calais (English Channel crossing time: 2 hours).

Until 2021, she was deployed on the Ireland–Wales route Rosslare Europort–Pembroke Dock (crossing time: 4 hours).

Cabins

As a cruise ferry, Isle of Inishmore has air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The ship also has wheelchair-accessible cabins (adapted for disabled passengers). Priority boarding is offered to all car drivers.

Isle of Inishmore staterooms are all located on Deck 9 (Club Class on Deck 11) and in the following categories:

• Double Bed Window Plus Cabin (Twin Outside with full-size double bed, 2 chairs, LCD TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, complimentary fruit basket)
• 2-berth Window Plus Cabin (Twin Outside with 2 lower beds/non-convertible to double, TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, complimentary fruit basket)
• 2-berth Window Cabin (Twin Outside with 1 bed and 1 bunk)
• 2-berth Cabin (Twin Inside with 1 bed and 1 bunk, no windows)
• 4-berth Window Cabin (Quad Outside with 2 beds and 2 bunks)
• 4-berth Cabin (Quad Inside with 2 beds and 2 bunks, no windows)
• 2-berth Disabled Cabin (wheelchair-accessible, midship—close to the elevator; wider entry door; 2 lower beds; adapted bathroom with wider door, raised toilet seat, grab bars, shower seat, adjustable showerhead)

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

As facilities, the Isle of Inishmore offers:

Boylan's Brasserie (Deck 8) is the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant with a wide selection of salads (create-your-own option), fruit, desserts (pies, cakes, ice cream), hot main dishes, soups, burgers (prime beef and veggie), light bites (sandwiches, tortilla wraps), and beverages (Coca-Cola drinks, mineral water, energy drinks, fresh smoothies, Costa Coffee drinks and sweets). A kids’ menu is also available. All food is freshly prepared using quality local produce.

Café Lafayette (Deck 7) is the ship’s cafeteria (self-service snack bar/patisserie/Costa Coffee bar). Snack options include croissants, panini, French bloomer sandwiches, 12-inch pizzas (extra toppings at EUR 1), homemade muffins and scones, fresh-baked pastries, yogurts, fresh fruit smoothies, a sweet crêpe station, American pancake station, Belgian waffle station, plus many healthy and vegetarian choices.

Java Republic (coffee and tea bar)

Volta Picture Theater combines two cinemas, each playing four different movies daily. Tickets are sold at the Information Desk.

Reserved Seating Lounge—a comfortable lounge overlooking the ship’s Atrium, with reclining Pullman seats and small tables.

Dun Aengus Club Class Lounge (Deck 11)—an exclusive panoramic lounge for Club Class passengers, furnished with 4-seat leather sofas and comfortable chairs with small round tables, served by its own bar offering drinks and snacks.

Veranda (indoor panoramic lounge area on Decks 7–9)

Druids Delights (Deck 7; cafeteria/sweets shop)

Children’s Play Area (Deck 8)—an indoor soft-play room with games and toys.

Cyber Zone (Deck 8; Video Games Arcade, including driving simulators)

The Travel Galleria (duty-free shop on Deck 8) is a combined boutique/convenience store selling gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, toys, confectionery, fashion clothing and accessories, leather goods, brand jewelry, sunglasses, photo/video equipment, and electronics. Different shopping promotions are offered on each voyage. Brands onboard include Hugo Boss, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Cinque, Paco Rabanne, and Estée Lauder.

Freight Drivers Club Lounge (Deck 8)

Kiloran Motorist’s Club (Deck 7)

Free Wi-Fi; Surfbox (Deck 7, Internet Café)

O’Lahertys Lounge & Bar (Deck 7)

Casino (slot-machine gaming area on Deck 7)

Reception Desk (Deck 7) with adjacent Bureau de Change (ATM/cashier services)

Sun Deck (outdoor areas on Decks 9 and 11)

The Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge and the adjacent officers’ quarters are on Deck 10.

All lounges are fitted with large TVs (satellite reception).

Car passengers may bring as much luggage as their vehicle can carry. Foot passengers between Ireland and the UK must check in bulky items and will not have access to them during the voyage. Foot passengers traveling between Ireland and France may bring only carry-on luggage, as check-in facilities are not available.

MV Isle of Inishmore passengers can upgrade to “Club Class” for EUR 16–18 pp. Club Class includes reserved seating and additional amenities. Extra perks include priority car boarding, an exclusive bar lounge, premium seating lounge, complimentary drinks and snacks, onboard shopping discounts (up to 25%), and power outlets.

The ship has kennels for domestic pets. Valid health cards for pets are required. During embarkation and disembarkation, dogs must be leashed and muzzled. Passengers with pets always disembark last.

• On voyages between Ireland and the UK, pets may board with car and foot passengers. Pets are not allowed on any passenger decks.
• Car passengers may leave pets in their vehicle or in the ship’s kennels (free of charge; pre-booking required). Foot passengers must transport pets to and from the ship in a pet cage or other carrier, which must be used for the duration of the trip.
• The ferry company participates in the PETS (Pet Travel Scheme), allowing pets to travel between European member countries without quarantine. For voyages between Ireland and France, pets must have all required documentation. Pets must check in at least 2 hours prior to departure. Each animal is charged EUR 45/75/100 per voyage. On these voyages, pets may travel only in the ship’s kennels (cat boxes), not in vehicles. As each ferry has a limited number of kennels/boxes, pre-booking is required. Visits to pets during the voyage are allowed at designated times and must be accompanied by a crew member.

Guide dogs travel free of charge, with proper documentation. Guide dogs may accompany their owners on all passenger decks and in all public spaces.

Car decks

All vehicles must have proper documentation and valid insurance. Having the car’s technical data sheet facilitates boarding checks. When booking, the vehicle’s model, length, and height must be specified. Car-ferry passengers must arrive at the departure port 90 minutes prior to departure.

Follows a list of car deck–related safety procedures:

• Passengers with disabilities or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship’s Information Desk.
• Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in Park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be shut off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
• Note your vehicle’s location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
• Access to vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges, is forbidden.
• Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.

To reduce air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.

The shipowner Irish Ferries (fleet; founded in 1992; headquartered in Dublin, Ireland) is a division of ICG (Irish Continental Group) operating passenger and freight ferries on routes connecting Ireland with the UK and Europe.