Hibernia Line Cork - Boulogne

[Fireblade]

I’m currently on the St. Patrick, one of Hibernia Line’s two ferries on the new Cork-Boulogne route.

It’s not a new boat, but it’s been extensively refurbished. No frayed seat cushions or stained carpet here.
It’s also very empty, Wednesday of the first week after school started back was a good choice. Crew are all friendly, polite and helpful.

 

[Wapping]

That might be a good way for someone, living in say the south east of England, close to Dover or Folkestone, to get to Cork.

Hop across the Channel and onto the boat in Boulogne.

Hibernia Line - Direct Ferry Service - Cork Ireland and Boulogne-sur-Mer France

Discover our 6 days a week Direct Ferry between Cork in Ireland and Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France for both Freight and Passengers.

hibernia-line.com

It would make very sense for someone in Ireland, going on to the north east of France or on to the Benelux countries or, of course, for anyone coming the other way. It would save the flog across Normandy or the probably tedious journey via the UK.

 

[Fireblade]

My 4-bed outside cabin is quiet and comfortable.
I’d like a power or USB socket beside the bed, there’s one at the desk.

Even the posh cabins didn’t seem to have coffee making facilities or kettles. The only coffee on board is €3/cup from a machine. I think there’s a proper cafe being installed, there’s a few empty spaces still to be filled.

Happily, Murphys is only €6.50 a pint which is less than many bars in Ireland.

Food is good - I had a big roast beef dinner last night, several other options were available. €19 for 1 course.

I’d recommend having the €19 full Irish breakfast, it comes with coffee whereas the continental option doesn’t, and when you add coffee it’s only €3 cheaper.

 

[Fireblade]

That might be a good way for someone, living in say the south east of England, close to Dover or Folkestone, to get to Cork.

Hop across the Channel and onto the boat in Boulogne.

Hibernia Line - Direct Ferry Service - Cork Ireland and Boulogne-sur-Mer France

Discover our 6 days a week Direct Ferry between Cork in Ireland and Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France for both Freight and Passengers.

hibernia-line.com

It might also make sense for someone in Ireland, going on to the north east of France or on to the Benelux countries. It woukd save the flog across from Normandy or the journey via the UK.

Indeed. I live in West Cork so it’s 1.5 hours to the ferry port rather than 5ish to Rosslare.
I’m off to Belgium for the weekend so for this trip it’s perfect. Beats the long slog across the Leeward Island!

 

[Fireblade]

Spotted this en route to the port

 

[SBD]

That might be a good way for someone, living in say the south east of England, close to Dover or Folkestone, to get to Cork.

Hop across the Channel and onto the boat in Boulogne.

Hibernia Line - Direct Ferry Service - Cork Ireland and Boulogne-sur-Mer France

Discover our 6 days a week Direct Ferry between Cork in Ireland and Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France for both Freight and Passengers.

hibernia-line.com

It would make very sense for someone in Ireland, going on to the north east of France or on to the Benelux countries or, of course, for anyone coming the other way. It would save the flog across Normandy or the probably tedious journey via the UK.

I’m sure it would be preferable to the Folkestone Fishguard slog, which is ghastly, particularly coming back as by the time you’re tired and have had enough, you join the fray at Heathrow, “and it’s only two hours from here”…

Might be a pricy way of doing stuff though. €460 return at discounted fare, including cabin. Add Dover -Calais return, £120

you could just have a B&B somewhere on the M4 corridor to break the journey, probably same or cheaper cost, same sort of journey time.

Now if they were smart and did a triangle Boulogne, Cork, Dover, that would be a thing.

 

[Wapping]

Might be a pricy way of doing stuff though.

I haven’t priced it up. But, by the time you’ve subtracted a possible overnight stay somewhere, the cost of the Irish Sea ferries, along with then crossing the Channel or North Sea (twice) and the fuel used, it might well be not too bad.

I guess it’s always a balance, not dissimilar to the seemingly never ending discussion over whether it’s better to ride through France to get to Spain, or use a ferry all the way.

 

[silverman10]

Intresting watch, early days yet..

 

[Fireblade]

I’m sure it would be preferable to the Folkestone Fishguard slog, which is ghastly, particularly coming back as by the time you’re tired and have had enough, you join the fray at Heathrow, “and it’s only two hours from here”…

Might be a pricy way of doing stuff though. €460 return at discounted fare, including cabin. Add Dover -Calais return, £120

you could just have a B&B somewhere on the M4 corridor to break the journey, probably same or cheaper cost, same sort of journey time.

Now if they were smart and did a triangle Boulogne, Cork, Dover, that would be a thing.

My return ferry is €460 with a cabin each way.
The ferry times from Rosslare mean you need an overnight in either Rosslare or Fishguard. Add in fuel for the Fishguard - Dover slog, plus 2 ferry crossings and it’s no contest.
There’s no joy in riding across southern Wales & England!

 

[Wapping]

My return ferry is €460 with a cabin each way.

Doesn’t look too bad at all. I guess it’s mid-to- low season for non-freight carryings?

 

[Fireblade]

Doesn’t look too bad at all. I guess it’s mid-to- low season for non-freight carryings?

Staff say there’s about 100 people on board! Apparently last week was much busier, the weekend will be busy, and they’re expecting increased traffic next year.
There’s various introductory offers at the moment, so it could be a good time to book for next year.

 

[Wapping]

There’s various introductory offers at the moment, so it could be a good time to book for next year

Good advice.

 

[frodi]

I’m currently on the St. Patrick, one of Hibernia Line’s two ferries on the new Cork-Boulogne route.

It’s not a new boat, but it’s been extensively refurbished. No frayed seat cushions or stained carpet here.
It’s also very empty, Wednesday of the first week after school started back was a good choice. Crew are all friendly, polite and helpful.

View attachment 535870View attachment 535871View attachment 535872View attachment 535873

Whatever bar man pulled that pint needs shooting. A bigger head than a politician.

 

[Fireblade]

Whatever bar man pulled that pint needs shooting. A bigger head than a politician.

He did ask if it was Ok, but as he’d just given me truck driver discount I wasn’t going to complain

 

[Aidan1150]

There’s various introductory offers at the moment, so it could be a good time to book for next year.

The prices we are paying at the moment for trucks on that route is absolutely impossible for DFDS or Irish Ferries to match. We are sending as many vehicles as we can that way where practical.

 

[Fireblade]

After a weekend in Belgium, I returned yesterday on the other Hibernia Line ferry, the Akka. It’s a different layout, I’d say an older boat, one that used to ply its trade in the Baltic. So it’s got a sauna (didn’t try that, nor the fitness room). Overall, it’s been nicely refurbished.
The forward-facing panoramic bar is a great place to sit and watch the waves. There was a fairly strong headwind, the chop picked up after we rounded Land’s End, but the boat’s well stabilised. 6 bikes on this crossing, but still very quiet. Good food, friendly staff, decent prices.
Recommended!

 

[Wapping]

Good willing, I’d be interested to try this service next year, going to and / or from the Leenan gathering in September.