Love Belfast: FERRY ARRIVES ON CARLINGFORD LOUGH

The new Scenic Carlingford Ferry arrived in the Lough last week, ready for sea trials with its four Captains and crew and primed for its official maiden voyage in June. 

Chief executive of Frazer Ferries Group, Pamela Houston says everything is falling into place as scheduled, “The Scenic Carlingford Ferry travelled last week from Wexford, arriving in its new home in an appropriate blaze of sunshine.  We are delighted with the support we have received from the regulatory bodies on both sides of the Lough, and in particular fromCarlingford Lough Pilots and the Greenore Port Authority where the Ferry is berthed during trials. Upon full certification by the Marine Survey Office in Ireland and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in the UK we will be fully operational and we are still confident the first sailings will be in early June.”

The construction team from L&M Keating from Limerick have also been finishing the work at the ports as part of the€9.75 million/£8.5 million private investment. Pamela adds the infrastructure is also taking shape, “In Greencastle we have constructed a 58 meter long reinforced concrete suspended pier, supported by vertical tabular piles and a 70 meter slipway. Construction works in Greenore include a 60 meters long reinforced concrete slipway. Berthing and fender piles to facilitate Ferry berthing, steel gangway, new hard standings for parking and queuing! The infrastructure and all the operational elements are almost complete, although we will have landscaping, lighting, footpaths and kiosk for example to undertake so it is a very exciting time on the Lough and the Piers.”

“We are planning some familiarisation sailings for Local Council officials and Tourism bodies and to give the media a chance to enjoy the crossing which is approximately 15 minutes.  With just a few finishing touches to the public access sites in Greencastle and Greenore, we will then be commencing public passage in June.”

The new car and passenger ferry service, crosses the iconic Carlingford Lough from Greencastle, Co Down to Greenore, Co Louth, running every hour, every day of the week from 7am to 9.30pm.  It connects two of the most stunningly beautiful and historic areas; from the Mourne Coastal Trail in the Ancient Kingdom of Mourne to the Carlingford & Cooley Peninsula through the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East.