Displaying items by tag: CorkBoulogne, France

6th January 2024

New Cork-France Ferry Route Offering Six-Day-a-Week Service Is on the Cards

A major new ferry connection of a Cork-Europe route this Spring/early Summer looks likely as a company is reported to be in the final stage of starting the direct link to Boulogne in northern France.

As Cork Beo reports, plans of the Ireland-France route by a new operator, Hibernia Line, would run six days a week using a ropax ferry, with passengers having 350-berth cabins along with space dedicated for freight capacity.

The direct route would provide a great link for Cork based businesses and open up brand new options to those travelling to and from mainland Europe. The Port of Boulogne is close to the borders of the lowland nations, Paris (Olympics) and beyond the tourist attractions of the Alps.

According to a speciality ferry/freight sector sources, the newly formed Hibernia Line, which could be operated on a joint basis involving established ferry operators. Such discussions are at an advanced stage of completing plans of the Ireland-EU member state route.

More here on this ferry development.

Afloat.ie adds, the nearest equivalent to the Hibernia Line route is DFDS existing Rosslare-Dunkirk route which began in January, 2021 as a Brexit-Busting freight-only alternative to the UK land-bridge. A 'trial' passenger service took place last year, whereas 2024 is to offer an expanded such service due to high demand.

If the new Hibernia Line launches, Afloat adds the direct-continental route would be geographically (the longest ‘passenger’ route based out of Cork to France), since Irish Ferries served to Le Havre until ceasing the connection more than a quarter century ago.

The Munster-Normandy route of Irish Ferries had taken 21 hours 30 minutes, whereas the current DFDS Ireland-France route is some 23-24 hours. As for the Hibernia Line link would be around 15-20 hours passage time using faster ferries compared to those of the past.

Published in Ferry

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.