Holyhead to Dublin with Irish Ferries MASSIVE SHIP the MV Oscar Wilde

[@Tmf-ww9sq]

Nice video mark. I’m an Isle of Wight ferry captain now but used to go to Dublin with cruise ships in my previous job. You’re right was a bit close at the end, they’re using a lot of power, judging by the wash, so probably a bit closer than intended but cleared ok in the end. These things happen though, I’ve had my fair share of near misses and you live and learn. Dublin is a very tight port at the best of times and is quite tricky if it’s a windy day and there are other ships berthed.

[@matthewoconnor5838]

I am an x Dublin pilot,yes can be a little tight especially with cruse ships and how wind prone they can be.

[@Tmf-ww9sq]

Good pilots in Dublin though, makes the difference 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

As a ferry captain yourself, I value your knowledge on this and thanks for sharing. Didn’t realise Dublin was such a tight port and I bet most passengers don’t appreciate the skill involved either - especially in windy conditions. Only one question I’ve got: can I come and have a go on your ferry? 😂😊

[@alundavies1016]

Had a great trip up to Douglas from Liverpool on a fun little rugby tour the other day. The club we played said that as the RFU had pulled funding to help with travel, they struggled for games now. So if there are any rugby teams looking for a tour, think of the Isle of Man.

[@killianlpc]

Yes you are right about the old Ferry Terminal. Back in the 70's and 80's you could get a train from Euston that had literally hundreds of passengers on it all going to Holyhead for the Sealink ferry. One train would leave around 8am for the 3pm sailing, and one around 8pm for 3am sailing. Those two sailings back then would be absolutely packed, especially in the Summer months. The ferries now are of course much bigger and need to be accommodated, but it was great to able to board the ship at Holyhead only a few metres from the train, and when you got over to Dun Laoghaire ( now sadly gone as a passenger terminal also ) you could disembark the ship walk up Marine Road and be in a pub in a couple of minutes. The bars used to be heaving on those ferries back then, and the craic on them was brilliant. The Fishguard- Rosslare route also used to be packed back this with a 3pm and 3am sailing also. The train for that service used to depart Paddington Station. I can remember the names of the ships, St Columba, Princess Maude, Hibernia, Hengist all those were on the Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire route, and on theFishguard-Rosslare route you had Caledonian Princess, and The Avalon. Great vid look forward to more.

[@chriswade7470]

I the summer they frequently had to run a relief train to the morning departure from Euston. I lived in Colwyn Bay backing on yo the North Wales Mainline and used to see them go through. At night there was also a departure from Manchester Victoria which connected to the night crossing to Ireland ( Sealink used to go to Dun Laihogaire, B and I line to Dublin ( I only ever went over on B&I once and that was in 1977, at that time it left from Liverpool) Didn’t B&I line change its name to Irish Ferries? Sealink used to run 2 class boats.1 st and Second class

[@ColinOBear]

Princess Maud was infamous! It bobbed like a cork all the way across the Irish sea. 🤣

[@tdr2512]

Good old days! That area is now home to psycho seagulls! Not a nice advert for Holyhead, which has gone downhill. Even though we had millions of EU funding ( Remember them)! God knows where it all went!

[@rick11960]

The evening trains from Euston were the 'Emerald Isle Express' [First & Second Class] and the Irish Mail.

[@rick11960]

The Irish Mail was the oldest named train in the world.

[@jamescrawford9883]

Thanks Mark, always enjoy your vids! When I was a young MN sailor from Belfast, I always had to use ferries. Nobody had cars, the trains were always at the wharf waiting for the passengers. My, how times have changed! (At sea from 1957 to 1965). Cheers from Oz. it was MV in my day, Mark.

[@jamescrawford9883]

Thanks Mark, always enjoy your vids! When I was a young MN sailor from Belfast, I always had to use ferries. Nobody had cars, the trains were always at the wharf waiting for the passengers. My, how times have changed! (At sea from 1957 to 1965). Cheers from Oz.

[@tazminmoore455]

Interesting review and good to see different parts of the ship for comparison purposes 😁. I've not been on Irish Ferries ships, always travelled with Stena. Stena are slightly cheaper on tickets and food. I've heard a few negative things said about Irish Ferries and P &O, don't know how truthful they are.

[@ianlove1215]

Loving the hair on the bus!!! "Whenever you go across the sea to Ireland, remember go to Ireland with B & I"

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’ve just found myself singing that! Great days!

[@richardcray2919]

the leinster and the connacht..remember them well in the 80s..used to get on for nothing all the time..just put on a white shirt and a black tie..go to the crew part of terminal but before passengers got on and then hide in the toilets and change clothes ..till the passengers got on..if night time crossing we would have the big long leather seats in the cafeteria to sleep on..and because it was at the centre of the ship less rocking in bad weather..if we were coming back thru Liverpool we would just get a taxi straight on to the boat..we knew people who worked on the boat so knew what the setup was for the crew..remember one time drinking all the way from liverpool to dublin coming into chrismas eve morning with some of the crew in 1983..the women were some drinkers..good times

[@AtoZbyLocalBus]

2 other reasons why ships won’t be using the old dock at Holyhead, a part from the building of the 2 bridges. The first is the salient up in the inner harbour, making it too sallow for ships at low tide. The second is that ships are too big in length to fit in the old dock. Also, the increase in traffic using the ferries would be too much to enter the port through the old entrance for the old dock. You pass it on your way to terminals 2, 3, 4 & 5, at the end of the road running along the side of the port, on the town side of the port. Also, Irish Ferries have the same employment contracts as P&O have now, Irish ferries brought the change in employment contacts back in the Winter of 2005/2006. I remember hearing about how they got raided of their staff, as part of the change. Which is why I do not use Irish ferries anymore, I changed changed over to using Stena Line now a days. Stena Line is the main ferry company, that still employs workers from Ireland and the UK.

[@richiehoyt8487]

Fair play to you that you don't patronize Irish Ferries anymore. Judging by the video there's nothing at all wrong with the Cypriot crew, but sacking your long~standing, locally recruited workforce so you can bring in a new badly paid staff on tenuous contracts is just a really greasy move. To add insult to injury, it doesn't look like they have passed any of the savings on to the passengers... what a surprise!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

And I think I’ll be using Stena next time, because I think it’s an overall better experience as much as anything else

[@tdr2512]

@@richiehoyt8487 No Cypriot crews . All Eastern Europeans.

[@rick11960]

@@tdr2512 I think the non technical crew live on board during their roster.

[@richiehoyt8487]

@@tdr2512 Fair enough. Tbh, I'm not in a position to say, not having been on the Oscar Wilde. I was just going on what Mark (content creator) said in the video.

[@craigoshea8948]

Fantastic video this. Really enjoyed it. Felt very nostalgic as this is a trip I made many a time back in the day aboard B&I Line's MV Leinster, and later aboard SeaLink's high speed service. How things have changed! Thanks for sharing, please keep up the great work!

[@kieronwillans4038]

Have found your videos for the first time this evening, really enjoyed this one . When you were at Holyhead walking across the bridge, you briefly mentioned the old ferry terminal. This was called the Station Berth and it was literally a very short foot transfer between train and ship.I remember doing this a number of times as a child in the 1970s. Now with the ferries leaving from Salt Island it's much further away from the station and the town. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Kieron. Yes I just about remember it too. Bit sad looking round the old platforms over there but it’s like stepping back in time! Bus transfer for foot passengers these days too which is not quite the same.

[@georgel74]

Luxury... I remember travelling from the north wall to Liverpool in the 60s and looking down on cattle to be unloaded at holyhead..3rd class ticket.. thanks for the video, it brought back memories..

[@williampatrickfagan7590]

That day is long gone. Today, it is chemicals, software computer chips and such like. Ireland is the 8th largest exporter of Pharmaceuticals in the world. Not bad for a country of just 5 million souls.

[@Michael-m2l8b]

Great Video My first job as an engineer was on B&I Thanks for the mention

[@dancerjono]

Great video, I don't knownif anyone else has mentioned it but the WB Yeats and the Ulysses are both larger ships in terms of gross tonnage

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Jono, you’re right the gross tonnage is higher.

[@michaelstaley2241]

Good content Mark, a vast ship 🚢 despite the rough conditions you could barely notice it. Doesn’t look a very old vessel, enjoyed it …

[@darrenconnolly_dj]

I used to travel Sealink as a child on the St Columba. The Ulysses is amazing, always paid for club class, different class. It’s also a larger ship than Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats is the largest but Oscar is about 5 kts faster than both. Have had tugs supporting at Holyhead before, took an extra 30 mins to dock on Ulysses one time, it was howling at 60+ mph. Great vid.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Darren, yes I took my facts from the Irish Ferries ‘official’ sip info leaflet where they go on about it being the largest passenger ferry but I think they must mean passenger capacity by that as WB Yeats and Ulysses are clearly bigger. Bit confusing really but overall, yep, a decent ship. Must try the other two now 👍

[@chriswade7470]

I only went on Columba once. I remember it being brought into service. 2 class ship.

[@sean9234]

When there's high winds, vessels do usually have tug assistance to make the turn into that basin (Berths 50/51/51a). I've been on the Stena Adventurer when it's needed assistance a few times.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Sean, appreciate the info 👍

[@George_does_everything]

Great vid mark. And “walk with me Tim” made a guest appearance…..

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

He did! I do quite enjoy his stuff although he’s gone upmarket a bit lately. Obviously making too much money on here! 😂

[@peterlewis2]

I remember B & I. We lived in Ireland(Co Cork) 1973-80.. and travelled a few times from Swansea to Cork on mv Innisfallen...

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I did the Swansea - Cork ferry myself once - really enjoyed it. I don’t remember travelling on B&I but I must’ve done it at some point, I’ve got some playing cards at home!

[@richiehoyt8487]

I was very nearly born on one of the Inisfallens (I believe B+I ran at least 3 ships under that moniker over the years). My mother always said it was a real 'cattle boat', and apparently cars had to be hoisted on board, so it was probably the first one. 1969, anyway. Back then the ship used to dock right up in Cork city centre. The city quays are almost entirely disused by commercial shipping nowadays, even as they're renaming the area 'The (bleeurgh!) Sextant Quarter' - a worldwide trend, unfortunately. Later on the Inisfallen would operate out of the Tivoli container terminal, a mile or two downstream. As a young adult, I would sail to Swansea with Swansea~Cork (Cork~Swansea?) Ferries a few times out of the new port facilities in Ringaskiddy, in the harbour, after B+I had abandoned the route. I remember one time going up to London for a week, then came back to Swansea to get the ferry to Cork having spent out the last of my British money. Arrived at the ferry terminal in the pi55ing rain to find it all locked up! I'd gotten there on the wrong day! Luckily someone in the harbour master's office found a docker able to help me out by pointing me in the direction of an old shed where I could shelter and sleep the night, unbeknowst(ish!) to the guy from the Harbour Master's office. Very kind people, the Welsh! It would never happen nowadays, of course, post 9~11 and all that, and the Cork docks at that time were a bit too dodgy to take those kinds of chances! On another trip to Swansea I was put up for the night, and even taken for a meal with my girlfriend, by a mum in the Swansea neighbourhood of Parc~ yr~Hwyll (spelling?!) The place very much reminded me of Cork, with all the hills. That weekend it rained incessantly as well. I felt right at home! On that occasion, returning to Cork, I was hit with the DT's for the first and only time in my life as the bus pulled out of Ringaskiddy (to the immense embarrassment of my girlfriend) having gone to Swansea as part of an Ir£5 return foot~passenger deal, with the express intention of making a drinking weekend out of it - apart from the Duty Free, you could buy vile but extremely potent lagers in Wales like Special Brew and Kestrel Super, at a time when nothing comparable was available in Ireland. No bad thing, perhaps! As it happened, a few days later I bought a card to send to the Welsh lady to express my gratitude for her generosity, having kept her address. Unfortunately I would very quickly find myself back in the UK with just what I had in my pockets, on account of having upset some of the local Cork 'tough guys'. (Yeah - again, drink; and youthful foolishness!) I never did get to thank my Welsh benefactor. Even today, 30~odd years later, I still feel kinda bad about that... One last recollection, Swansea~Cork ferries would run a number of different ferries seasonally on that route, (one always got the feeling the company was just barely struggling along, passengers generally preferring to travel to Rosslare and make the much shorter crossing from there to Pembroke Dock, or Fishguard. I even remember on a few occasions some of the more menial staff, on derisory wages, I should think, seemed to be in the habit of 'pinching' some of the booze that passengers had bought from the duty~free and bust into before conking out! I remember one of the things that went a long way towards putting the tin hat on things for the carrier was when two unfortunate travellers were poisoned to death by the ships septic tank out~gassing into their cabin by way of the toilet... Anyway thanks for relating your memories and prompting my own reminiscences. Not that you were looking for an autobiography, mind you 🙄😔. I'm sure you've got libraries where you're currently living, lol!

[@peterlewis2]

@@richiehoyt8487 You have some interesting memories. We were making a Christmas Eve(1973) trip from Cork to Swansea... only thing was, the Innisfallen wasn't in yet.. It came in at 12 noon, turned round in 15 minutes,loaded a few cars, 2dozen foot passengers..We arrived in Swansea at a low tide at around 10pm!!The company had experienced a heart attack passenger situation a couple of days earlier... had diverted to Pembroke to get the passenger to hospital...The the company forewent fright traffic in an effort to get back on schedule!! memorable...

[@kevinmcanulty2593]

enjoy Dublin regular visitor from 76 until 2007 as my parents lived in Roscrea

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s nice but expensive these days!

[@pontecarlo4354]

At those prices I think I would have paid for the lounge and also a cabin even though it was a short crossing. Another inspiring and entertaining video thank you.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate. Yep, I paid >£13 yesterday for a lounge with no free stuff whatsoever. €21 is cheap in comparison 👍

[@carleryk]

I thought that this ferry looked familiar and I was right - this used to be Tallink's MS Star which made 2 hour travels between Tallinn and Helsinki, as you mentioned. Quite liked it actually!

[@neilcoram3495]

Another good video Mark. The club lounge looks the place to be.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It certainly was! 👍

[@Fan652w]

Thank you Mark for an extremely interesting video. Regrettably this is yet another video which shows that foot passengers on Irish Sea and Cross-channel ferries are now regarded as a nuisance. I was appalled at the long trek between the town (and station) of Holyhead and the actual point of embarkation. Once upon a time the vast majority of passengers on Holyhead to Ireland ferries would have been foot passengers who (like you) arrived in Holyhead by train.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers, tbh I think that’s still the case with many foot passengers arriving by train. I don’t think Holyhead town itself is really integrated into the train/ferry terminal and there probably aren’t many people as mad as me staying overnight!! I still think that old terminal would’ve been great for the boat trains but times change I guess and ships get bigger.

[@Xxxxxxx-i1h6t]

ive always found the drive through holyhead ferry terminal to the boat already brings you half way to Ireland. its very long

[@hublanderuk]

I have used Stena Line out of Dublin when the Roslaire Fishguard was Cancelled due to weather. This time leaving Dublin port the Stena Line ferry had 2 tugs to get out of the port. But then it has to be very windy to cancel the ferries on the Dublin Holyhead route.

[@Xxxxxxx-i1h6t]

loved the original Oscar Wilde on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I never had the pleasure unfortunately

[@johncruickshank6159]

Been watching for a while now really enjoy your videos especially the ferry ones. Be telling my friends to have a look as well.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers John, much appreciated mate 😊

[@kevinellis8869]

I used Stena for my crossing which was ok, was amazed to see an ex-Wilts & Dorset bus being used for the transfer - the give away was the seat covering, I reckon I must have travelled on it as I lived in Poole 1991-2018. Looking forward to the rest of the trip!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yea I only noticed the moquette when I was editing the vid. Maybe ex Poole harbour?

[@kevinellis8869]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Could be, it has most Wilts & Dorset destinations on it.

[@PillSharks]

I’m a boatman in the uk and I’ve moored the Tasman up a few times and I’ve also done that journey as a truck driver in my younger days! That was a very close call when swinging a large ship around, I’m not surprised the crew of both vessels were getting concerned especially with the wind conditions! Wouldn’t surprise me if a report hasn’t gone into the havenmaster.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi, cheers for your input here - most valued. Tbh, I thought maybe I was overreacting with this (it’s easy to go down the clickbait route!) so I appreciate an experts comments. Not sure if such reports are publicly available but it would be good to read if it was.

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the video

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers James 😊

[@Elitelimos]

Great video sir nice tour nice to see during day and smoth sunny day its empty I think night crossings are more busy but great video thanks ❤

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate and thanks for watching 😊👍

[@calebmumby5803]

great crossing mark safe travels

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Caleb 😊

[@johnp5390]

Great video Mark. I'll be in the UK next April and was thinking about taking a ferry to Ireland so your video was very informative. The first thing that caught my eye though was what you were wearing. The date on the video says May 31 but you looked dressed for winter. Is it always that cold in Wales in late May? I may need to dress warmer than I had planed.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I just feel the cold these days John. Don’t take too much from it. Yes north wales is warm enough in May but you are at sea remember.

[@AnonAnonAnon]

I always took the fast ferry to Ireland and back but last year there wasn't a fast ferry at the time I wanted so I took this one. Can honestly say its a better experience on the slow ferries compared to the fast one. A bigger ship, more places to eat, bigger shops and if the weather is okay, a walk along the outside deck. I don't think I'll ever use the fast ferry again.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’d like to try the fast ferry but I do normally prefer the conventional ones myself. I guess it all depends on how much of a rush you’re in.

[@vincenzocherubini2424]

Lived in Ireland for 13 yrs. Took Irish Ferries once and also Stena. Once was enough. Considering the length of journey, the cost is ridiculous. Bugger that. Lucky for me there was a service with P&O from Belfast to Liverpool, and despite having to drive all the way up there, it was still cheaper than the other "2". Also, as it's mainly freight drivers, it's pretty basic, but ticket price included Dinner when you got on board and a huge breakfast on arrival. Not michelin star, but very filling and free! And another comparison; I had to move to Europe, so got Brittany Ferries across to France. Despite the trip being over 12 hours, it was still considerably cheaper for that compared to the UK-Irl trip (including a couchette). Mental! Irish Ferries & Stena seem to have a very cushty little monopoly there. By the way, regarding Stena being cheaper, maybe times have changed. However, when i was there, there was little diffence between the 2. Also, i went with car and not as foot passenger. If they still run it, your cheapest option is def P&O Belfast-Liverpool. Cheers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. I’ve just been on Stena and I didn’t think there was much difference in he price tbh. Unfortunately the P&O sailing out of Liverpool has now ended ☹️

[@sallyelling9329]

Was on the Oscar Wild on many trips from Rosslare to Cherbourg and always loved it. Recently went again to Cherbourg on a different ship but was not as nice as the Oscar Wild

[@jamessmith6402]

Thanks Mark very enjoyable video 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers James, thanks for watching 😊👍

[@dryflyman7121]

If you thought the food on the ferry was expensive - wait until you get to Dublin !! Originally this ship was on the Pembroke Dock to Rosslare route. The ship that normally does the Holyhead/Dublin route is the the Ulysses, which is one of the best ships I’ve sailed on. The ship with the straight bow when docking at Dublin is the Newest ship the W.B. Yates and this sails mainly between France and Dublin.

[@richardhuss]

Would be interested to hear about your experience of disembarking and getting into Dublin as a foot passenger. (I've not done the Holyhead route as a foot passenger for 25+ years and that was via Dun Laoghaire with Stena.)

[@MichaelCampin]

I did that journey on a rugby tour back in 1995. I still have my tour jacket. We spent all of our time, all 5 rugby teams, in the bar but we used the old pier.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I must have used the old terminal myself many years ago but I struggle to remember tbh. Smaller ferries then though I suppose.

[@MichaelCampin]

@@LetsMakeaTrip alot smaller and slower but the bar was open all the way across the Irish Sea

[@craig.bryant]

Great ferry, enjoyed my crossing during Storm Ciaran last October on it! It handles rough seas very well! Tugs are very common for ports like this, not sure about how common a toot from another ship when you get that close is mind, looked close and in that weather the windage alone from the sheer size of the superstructure could push the ferry like a sail making berthing difficult.

[@stogieguy7]

Nice to see you back, Mark! And an enjoyable vlog today as well.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate and thanks for leaving a comment- much appreciated 😊👍

[@ColinOBear]

Nice vlog - ive been on the crossing from Rosslare on that ship and we got the premium seats as i knew from travelling with Stena that you'd get 'free' stuff! The trick is to bring an empty bag in with you... 😉

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Colin - good tip! 😊👍

[@TravelSignal]

Nice video on the continuation. Like I said, I haven't been that way before, but would like to in future, the Sail Rail tickets look excellent value, especially from my area of the country!

[@ericdunn555]

Indeed, RailSail tickets (av. with both Irish Ferries and Stena) are almost certainly the most cost-effective way to get to Ireland from most parts of Great Britain. They are so reasonably priced that it's actually cheaper to go on a RailSail to Dublin ticket when travelling at short notice to Chester (or anywhere beyond on the North Wales coastal mainline) from Euston. You heard it here first, folks ... heehee 🤫🤫🤐

[@janetwalz4516]

Back in March, 2017 I took the roundtrip Dublin-Holyhead. i went over on the Ulysees, nd came back on the Jonathan Swift, Ir was a really nice day to go over and visit Wales.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I may try the Swift at some point. The quickest way these days 👍

[@stevew007uk]

Another great video Mark, keep up the good work

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Steve, thanks for the comment 😊👍

[@kieranmcdonagh3]

Hi there, great video, price wise -both irish ferries and stena have sail rail tickets (about €50). Great value as this gets you pretty much anywhere in uk on a very flexible ticket.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, I took one with Stena back from Belfast (see earlier video). Agree they are great value 👍

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Considering the wind it looks like you had a peaceful crossing, all the best till next time and thanks, cheers and stay safe.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Simon and yes the ship handled the conditions really well 👍

[@harryecke5399]

Heard same about sailors with contracts on vessels registered in Cyprus. Even on river Danube!

[@garyshubert8165]

Decent down to earth trip reports…enjoy watching these videos, thanks Mark 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Gary and thanks for leaving a comment mate. Appreciated 😊👍

[@jeremyhaines4481]

This is very interesting and informative

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks very much 😊👍

[@Car-f7h]

It's great atmosphere on Ireland v Wales rugby weekend

[@-DC-]

Will only sail with Stena on the Dublin or Belfast crossing these days, Never had anything other than excellent service 👍

[@KarelNovember-lu1rd]

good day, you need to have a status or something enabled to show on the control or there is a control

[@stephenskorupa8983]

Really liked the video.I t have travelled that route quite a lot .Always used Stenna HSS it was only 90 minutes on that high speed ferry.

[@verttikoo2052]

This is a fast ferry that normally goes 27 knots. (HSS 40 knots)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Stephen, HSS long gone now unfortunately.

[@verttikoo2052]

This ferry build in Finland is way more efficient, economical and ecological than the HSS 👍

[@davidoliver1169]

Hi Mark. Another great travelogue. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Take care. D

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers David and thanks for leaving a comment - much appreciated 😊👍

[@tragicgarlic9019]

I subscribed - love it :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for your support 😊

[@robertalan3214]

Thanks for another very interesting and informative video Mark, quiet crossing right enough. I was in Holyhead last week and took the tour from just outside the train station to South Stack Lighthouse, absolutely beautiful place, really enjoyed that, but Holyhead itself, I wouldn't rush back to visit, cheers bud 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ye I’ve heard South Stack is worth a visit. Maybe next time I’m around there. Doubt I’ll stay in Holyhead again unless the Premier Inn is cheap.

[@richiehoyt8487]

Unlike the Welsh in general, the few times I've been through Holyhead, I didn't find the locals to be especially warm. I guess, to be fair, you really need to spend a decent period of time in a place before making that kind of assessment. However, I've heard quite a few other people say the same sort of thing, about the townsfolk putting down the Irish, and so on. Perhaps it's understandable with all the Irish drunks traipsing through, day in, day out. There again, Dubliners might make similar observations regarding the British stag (and worse, _hen!_ ) parties 'larging it' around the city's entertainment districts; or the new~age travellers that used to relocate to the Irish countryside! I'm not trying to cause dissent, _at all!_ It's actually very gratifying that the British and the Irish mostly get along so well, especially in view of our difficult history with each other. It just happens to be a fact of life that we don't always look our best, either of us, when we have our hair down!

[@chriswade7470]

I lived for 3 years in Colwyn Bay, Llandudno. We always said that after there town wise there was nothing interesting till you got to Dublin.Bangor is no great shakes either.

[@richiehoyt8487]

@@chriswade7470 "##♪ 24 hours in Bangor/ and then you walk back to the city... ♪♪#" Different Bangor, though.

[@iansinclair7581]

The chap at the stern will be calling out distances to the bridge and the Master and Pilot will decide whether the tug is needed.

[@elizabethandrogercourt8055]

Thanks for your footage .we made this crossing from 1974 to 1985 brought back memories .we had good and very rough crossings we used to lay on floor when rough .we played irish music missed this on your film .l supposed this was aloud as mainly night crossing made for great atmosphere as we were not the only ones playing .like you we up load to our channel. We will watch more of your recordings and have subscribed .thanks nice job.

[@joconnor59]

Excellent Video thank You ☘️👍

[@merciandubz]

Where you got on the bus, that is where the worlds largest fast ferry used to sail from, Stena Explorer used to moor into the inner harbour, right next to that weird ship with 4 legs. Sailed on her many times out of Holyhead.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Bit of a shame that’s all gone now imho

[@sandrabennett6166]

Wonderful Dublin wonderful to see ❤

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Sandra 😊👍

[@lukeyboy1237]

I think this ship also serves the Dublin to Cherbourg route aswell

[@willywonka2614]

I love watching your videos from Dublin. If you book a cabin on the day trip on Stena it is twenty euros or twenty pounds. It is much cheaper than Irish Ferries. I heard that it is cheaper to bring a car onto Stena. I heard that from one person however, people with cars would have to check it out for themselves. I think the food and drink is cheaper on Stena. I think the 14:45 p.m. sailing is the best it gives people that little bit longer to get to Holyhead by train.

[@JaapFilius]

I am always travelling from the Netherlands and I have figured out that for me, travelling by train, booking a B&B in advance in Holyhead both to and from Ireland is very relaxed. Travel lodge is not far (walking distance) from station/ferry. Last time I was almost 3 hours late in Holyhead because of delays by both Eurostar and West Coast Mainline and it was very nice to know that I didn't have to worry about connections in Holyhead: the ferry was leaving the next morning at 9 o'clock. On the way back there was the direct train for London Euston, leaving at about the same time with 2,5 hours to catch Eurostar from St. Pancras to Brussels in London.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes and I think the Stena service is worthy of a separate review to see how they compare. Certainly some cheap foot passenger fares about atm 👍

[@apinat888]

Good stuff. Looks strangely quiet, I did the same trip both ways on Stena Line last week, and both sailings had over 100 foot passengers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Could be a price thing. I know Stena have some good foot passenger deals on atm.

[@philpedlow]

Loved that video Mark, right up my street that. 👍. Can't comment on the 'near miss' I've only ever sailed into Dub once which was in the dark, on Stena but I agree that appeared to be quite congested there, the captain did exceptionally well. The only time I have been with Irish Ferries that was Pembroke/Rosslare, the facilities on that ship who's name escapes me was not as impressive as the Oscar Wilde there but was decently comfortable on what turned out to be a really rough night time crossing (I had booked on Stena but they cancelled their crossing ex Fishguard so I was surprised to be transferred to Irish Ferries and it went!). The most noteworthy thing about Pembroke was finding the damn ship - positively the worst advertised ferry port I've ever known, I almost missed the boat driving around for over an hour going around in circles. Anyway, well done as always with this video - I lapped it all up readily, great stuff. 👌

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Phil. You know what, exactly the same thing happened to me with Stena at Fishguard. Ended up at Pembroke Dock with Irish Ferries. I made a video on it way back when I only had about 50 subs and a mobile phone. Rubbish vid tbh but it’s still on here somewhere!

[@cyrildhy8993]

The loading bus was long way from home, Dorset. Looking at the moquette.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I think they’ve come from Poole docks.

[@daveantonio7583]

For info, the "Oscar Wilde" you travelled on was the second to have that name but that was only for a year before being renamed as the James Joyce. by early 2024 Irish Ferries had aquired the P&O ferry Spirit of Britain which was named "Oscar Wilde"

[@baseballfan99]

Irish Ferries do seem to have the best ships on that route but it seems expensive to take a car across so the foot passenger price looks great value in comparison. It certainly handled the choppy seas and prices looked good for what was on offer.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It handled the sea no problem- I’m sure you get a lot worse than this too. I’ll probably try the Stena crossing next for comparison. Better foot passenger prices potentially but are they better ships? 🤔

[@Diana-andre2018]

Hi Mark, of course the staff were great, being Cypriot, but then living in Cyprus, I’m somewhat biased😊. Good video again and some very interesting information about the ship. Twenty one euros for the club lounge is excellent value, and as you stated at the end, great manoeuvring skills by the crew when docking, but quite a close call with that cargo ship.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Diana! Fun fact for you, I’ve never been to Cyprus. I think I need to make the trip now 😊👍

[@SlogOnTheTyne]

Good video. I had done a SailRail crossing overnight two days before this was filmed

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Nice one! I’ve done quite a few in the past it just didn’t fit my plans this time around. Normally though, they are great value for money whichever way you do it 👍

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

@@LetsMakeaTripAlthough the Ulysses is my favourite ship on this route, I do like the Oscar Wilde and the WB Yeates, as the signs in French are helping me to learn French, as French is one of my strongest foreign languages, as I’m trying to learn conversational French and get the pronunciation right

[@standrewpics]

Vessel renamed James Joyce , and rumours are that the ships lease from Tallink maybe over soon. The ship may leave the Irish Sea , and go to another operator.

[@RushfanUK]

I've sailed many times from Holyhead, even back in the Sealink days, living back in the Northeast I use Cairn Ryan, I prefer Stena over P&O or Irish Ferries.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I used the Stena service Belfast - Cairnryan and thought it was a very good ship. It was the sail rail vid I did a few months ago and you can find on the channel 👍

[@JoshuaLescarretSailing]

Hi, great video as usual and congrats on the 25k ! I have two questions : What is that pier on your channel banner because it reminds me of one but I can't remember the name When will you do more Brittany Ferries reviews, Mont St Michel, Pont Aven and Barfleur would be nice to see

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Joshua. The pier is one of the Blackpool ones (can’t remember which now tbh) and yes there will be more BF reviews, probably Pont Aven next 👍

[@jackmaher9296]

Hi mark great video as always, some info about the ship for you as my girlfriend dad works in the Cyprus port of Limassol where MV Oscar Wilde has been registered since 2023 . She was first name Star after she was built in 2007 by her owner Tallink ( built in Helsinki shipyard) . And she would go on to travel to Tallinn of Estonia from Helsinki. Then in 2023 Irish ferries became the operator of the boat and somewhere a long the way the name was changed to Oscar Wilde from the star . Irish ferries use the boat on the Holyhead to Dublin route and Cherbourg. From my understanding, they have chosen the Limassol Port to have the boat registered there because it’s cheaper to have it there rather than Dublin and plus for any ex pats who live in Limassol and have Cypriot passports/ residency and who work for the company, it saves them paying tax and England wages for staff and can adapt a similar way of operation like P&O

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Jack, cheers for the info mate. Yep, it all boils down to money doesn’t it. But the question I suppose (a bit like P&O) if they didn’t do it this way, would they still be operating? And if not, Stena would have a monopoly on this route and prices would increase. Then again, Stena don’t do things like this…..

[@jackmaher9296]

@@LetsMakeaTrip everything comes down to money, when the boat was being changed to the port of Limassol , they even argued over a price difference in registration there - I can’t remember the full price difference but it turned it was 2 euros they were arguing over. I only know as my partners father works as one of the paper sorting people there

[@Markmeister1989]

You can see the resemblance with the Viking XPRS since they were built around the same time and both being modified versions of DFDS ship Cote D Opale. :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I really liked the XPRS when I tried it. Excellent facilities too 👍

[@theatre-off-the-rails]

Thanks for the vlog....very useful interesting and well told.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks mate and I appreciate the comment. Cheers 😊👍

[@SPPhotography89]

07.06.2024 Irish Ferries announced that it will change the ship's name to m/s James Joyce. The m/s Oscar Wilde name will be given to the m/s Spirit of Britain ship, whose charter was announced by the company in May.

[@deanojuly1952]

Have travelled on ships on this route many times, but some years ago but never remember seeing a tug in use. Used to enjoy the route into Dun Laoghaire, when Stenna had the high speed ferry in two and a bit hours.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I remember sailing into Dun Laoghaire then getting the Dart into Dublin. Seemed much easier somehow.

[@grahambell5865]

Great vlog!! Irish ferries started the cheap labour off!! years ago before P&O ferries got the same idea!! That's why you should travel Stena line or dfds!!wear possible!! keep the excellent work 👏😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I guess P&O got most of the bad press because of how they went about it. Gotta be honest, I do prefer Stena on the Irish Sea routes.

[@mjt8199]

I'm of the understanding that Irish Ferries involved the unions a bit more than P&O did

[@clareclark6535]

Same here. Prefer Stena​@@LetsMakeaTrip

[@tonys1636]

Flags of Convenience seems very common amongst ferry operators, the old, not the relaunch and failed again, Swansea - Cork ferries were Greek owned and registered. The crews mostly Greek and Irish. One Greek barman had spent over 20 years on them. The relaunched company only lasted a couple of years as had maintenance, licensing and chartering issues. The Cork deep water ferry port now a container terminal, the services to France and Spain moved to Wexford Europort and Dublin.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I wish that Swansea - Cork route still existed. Only did it once, many years ago walking from Swansea railway station down to the port. Overnight crossing - very useful route. Sad it never came back really.

[@JohnWilkie-q1p]

Lovely video I used to go Dublin on the isle of inishmore from holyhead

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@lincolncityful1]

Cheers Mark for a interesting journey 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks for watching and commenting mate 😊👍

[@SPPhotography89]

06:40 In the Baltic Sea, that restaurant was Burger King, which is why the coloring in the chairs and other parts of the interior is due.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ah yes I can see that now! Cheers 😊👍

[@raymondhunt6109]

Been on this crossing several times to Ireland with Irish Ferries & Stena Line. Prefure Stenna Line as their ferries are only a few years old. Irish Ferries tend to cancel their sailings in rough weather more than Stenna also. We often get very cheep off season offers to Dublin as low as £10 for 2 foot passengers but you must return the same day.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I’m lo9king at a Stena day return now for £20. Not bad value tbf 👍

[@thisisus.504]

Great views, great reviews. Great channel.😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great praise! Thanks very much, really appreciate the kind words 😊🫶

[@pdk7415]

Nice video! Do you happen to know if it is common to park your car for a couple of nights in Holyhead while visiting Dublin? Googled a long term parking, but it looked very small on google maps..

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

7:09 On ALL Irish Ferries crossings, I ALWAYS pay the bit extra for the Club Class Lounge, so I highly recommend doing so - I’ve tried the Stena Plus Lounge on the Stena Adventurer in the past and in comparison to Irish Ferries, the experience on Stena has been under-whelming - one ALWAYS receives the standards of service that one expects in the Club Class Lounge on all Irish Ferries ships, including the Isle of Inishmore and even on the Dublin Swift fast ferry

[@richardbutler4488]

Yes and it’s remarkable that Stena Plus is a lot more expensive too 🤪

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Great info, thanks Michael. I think Stena were after £30 for their lounge when I looked and you didn’t get alcohol it’s that either. I will have to try it out of course for comparison purposes! 😊

[@richardbutler4488]

@@LetsMakeaTrip most people in the Stena lounge get it for free as part of an annual £1,000, €1,250 annual spend on tickets through the Stena line extra loyalty scheme. I am confident that that’s why the Stena lounges are not as good 😊

[@ianowen5098]

The Stena Plus lounge on the Stena Estrid was excellent when we used it last year. It was like a cruise ship, plenty of food and drinks freely available.

[@-DC-]

Always found the Stena Plus Lounge Excellent, A bonus is the Stena Staff who are Fantastic.

[@markstephenson9311]

I thought Ulysees was largest ship of Irish ferries fleet? Excellent video really enjoyed watching.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes, Irish Ferries are giving out misleading info as they refer to Oscar Wilde as the largest but I reckon hey mean passenger capacity not actual size.👍

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

Loving these ferry reviews. I haven't seen the current Oscar Wilde (the old one is living out her days sailing out of Genoa) but I have seen the Y B Yeats (not really a fan of the name), that's one impressive vessel despite being delayed and going quite over budget, it doesn't look out of place in Cherbourg when cruise ships are close by. I'd love to see a slightly 'off-piste' ferry trip if ever you fancy doing one and this is a trip I intend on doing at some point in the not-too-distant-future and that's Smyril Line's northerly passage from Hirtshals in Denmark, via the Faroe Islands and on to Iceland. The most northerly ferry passage I believe. Pretty spectacular from what I've seen.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I do want to do the Iceland trip. Been looking at it for a few years now. Not overly expensive I don’t think. The hardest thing is getting to Hirtshalls (imo). It’ll definitely be on the channel one day! 👍

[@rick11960]

It used to serve Thurso, Scotland in Summer.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

@@LetsMakeaTrip yes it's not easy, I looked at a flight to Gothenburg. Stena do a short crossing to Fredrikshaven and I think you can then take a train to Arhus from there and it's not too far.

[@enricomonti156]

It is common practice for larger ships to be assisted by tugs and I have seen such operations in the Grand Harbour of Valletta with cargo and cruise ships and even experienced so on some cruises and ferry crossings. The worst case was in Catania, when the mooring of our boat from Malta with a tug took the better part of two hours. Seems a great ferry ride overall and I am not sure if Irish Ferries adheres to the Rail and Sail initiative. Might have to try it as I never travelled between the UK and Ireland by ferry

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

You can do the by sail rail Enrico - as with Stena. I would’ve done it myself but I didn’t want to stay overnight in Dublin on this trip. There’s the Pembroke - Rosslare option too 👍

[@enricomonti156]

@@LetsMakeaTrip totally agree on avoiding to stay overnight in Dublin. Last time I did so it set me back €120 for one night

[@seprishere]

I've been one stated as "full" (though it was Stena), it didn't feel anywhere near full but presumably the vehicle decks were full.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes vehicle decks may be full but no guarantee the cars are full of passengers I suppose or how many lorries were taking up space.

[@Timstravels01]

A ghost ship until you got into the Club Class Lounge. A top review as always mate.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it 😊👍

[@samanthamorristhecat8131]

The ship is nice. I’d consider using it.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I’ve been on a lot worse than this! Cheers Samantha 😊👍

[@SPPhotography89]

Builder Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland

[@allantavener7378]

In terms of the near miss it was close but no foul, possibly the tug captain misjudged the wind and she is a big old lump, under normal conditions they can use bow and stern thrusters to turn

[@transportvideosireland263]

a lot truck drivers go through rosslare europort to go spain and france and do not go through the uk since brexit the ferry is registered in greece same now with P&o

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I believe so.

[@shropshiregirl9279]

Go on, tell us how you got in the lounge!!!

[@TravelSignal]

My suspicion is that he asked if he could pop in for a few minutes only to video, to show what it's like, without eating / drinking anything ;)

[@jjbrowned313]

Yes 20 odd year ago you would walk straight out to the train

[@chuckyman42]

I have been on the ship it used to do the rosslare to cherberg route until it was replaced by the w b years Dublin to cherberg route

[@jgcondron]

I don't recall any snide remarks about the Cypriot flag when you were on Stena Line.

[@adarbs6384]

Hi, great video as always. I have a trip coming up dublin-holyhead return which, after travelling with Stena recently, will be my last. The service and On board crew with Irish Ferries is not a patch on Stena. Anyway, I digress, I was just wondering what type of food is served in club, if you noticed. As far as I can tell it is just snacks, pastries, muffins etc...all off the cards for a pre-diabetic, I don't want to pay the extra if I can't eat anything but the fruit 😅 also, I always travel on the overnight crossing so they may have even less on offer. Unfortunately, their website doesn't offer much info on club as far as I can see. Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated 😊 thank you

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi mate, yes I think it's just snacks, pastries and some fruit unfortunately. If I was in there, I'd get my money's worth eating as much of that stuff as I could and taking some with me for later (plus wine and coffee of course). Unfortunately, I think you're going to struggle to get value here. Spend the money you save on over-priced food and I wish you safe travels.

[@adarbs6384]

@@LetsMakeaTrip haha...a few months ago I would have been the same. Ok, thanks for your feedback