Irish Ferries celebrated the first day of sailings for the new OSCAR WILDE ferry, the largest and fastest cruise ferry on the Irish Sea and aims to live up to the famous Oscar Wilde quote “I have the simplest of tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” The ship (built in the same dockyard as the ULYSSES) has an impressive capacity of 2,080 passengers, 134 well-appointed cabins, and ample space with over 2,380 lane meters for cars, coaches, and freight vehicles.
With service starting just in time for the peak summer season, the OSCAR WILDE will service the Pembroke to Rosslare route with twice-daily sailings, offering an elevated experience connecting the UK to Ireland. British travellers can sail directly to explore Ireland’s Ancient East, a region full of vibrant history, incredible landscapes, and mythical antiquity. The route is also a gateway to the rest of Ireland with the car, avoiding security queues, luggage limits, cramped journeys, and excessive car hire costs.
The OSCAR WILDE interiors have a classic, modern feel, while the exterior showcases Irish Ferries’ signature colours and branding. There are facilities for all with comfortable cabins, a Club Class lounge, plenty of choices for food and beverages including a self-service restaurant, a café, a bar, and a freight drivers lounge. Passengers can enjoy sea views and fresh air on the open decks, and there are also pet facilities, family-friendly features such as a children’s play area, and an extensive shopping space, perfect for using the generous post Brexit duty-free allowances.
With a possible top speed of 27.5 knots, OSCAR WILDE is the fastest cruise ferry on the Irish Sea, enabling Irish Ferries to provide passengers and freight customers an efficient and reliable service, getting them to their destination quickly and comfortably.
On the latest addition to Irish Ferries’ fleet, Irish Ferries Managing Director, Andrew Sheen, said, “We are delighted that OSCAR WILDE is officially in service, offering customers an enhanced Irish Sea journey on board a ship featuring the very best in terms of comfort, speed, and amenities. We are confident that the OSCAR WILDE will become a firm favourite with our passengers and freight customers, and we look forward to welcoming them on board.”
Irish Ferries encourages travellers to “Sea Travel Differently” – whether for holidays, business trips, reuniting with loved ones, or planning a road-trip to remember. With award-winning hospitality and service, onboard duty-free shopping, and extensive amenities to make the journey even more special, as well as the ability to take as much luggage as they can fit, bring along their pets, and travel in the comfort of their own car – the holiday really does begin once guests step onboard.
Book the OSCAR WILDE at www.irishferries.com where one-way fares for a car plus one adult start from £129, and short break return from £206.
A selection of images of OSCAR WILDE can be found here.
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Notes to Editors:
The OSCAR WILDE has replaced the chartered BLUE STAR 1 ship which previously serviced the route.
For further press information, please contact:
Charlotte Wright | Chloe Hernandez | Peter Gregory
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About Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries is the market leading and award-winning ferry operator in Ireland, serving routes between Britain (Holyhead to Dublin, and Pembroke to Rosslare) and Ireland, and Britain and France (Dover to Calais), and is an operating division of publicly quoted Irish Continental Group (ICG).
On the Irish Sea routes, Irish Ferries operates up to 16 sailings a day, with a fleet of modern cruise and fast ferries, including the famous Ulysses , Dublin Swift and Oscar Wilde on the Irish Sea. Irish Ferries operates a new build W.B. Yeats, on the Dublin to Cherbourg route throughout the year.
Irish Ferries launched its Dover to Calais service in June 2021 and now operates a fleet of three ships including Isle of Inishmore, Isle of Innisfree and Isle of Inisheer, on up to 30 sailings per day.
Sailing Updates | www.irishferries.com | Image gallery
