New direct ferry to link northern France and Ireland from June
Route between Cork and Boulogne-sur-Mer to run six times a week
The route is also expected to revive ferry activity at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where local authorities have invested €2.6million in reopening and securing terminal facilities
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A new direct ferry service between Ireland and northern France is set to launch in mid-June, with six weekly crossings planned between Cork and Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) - restoring high capacity passenger sailings to the French port for the first time in 15 years.
Irish operator Hibernia Line said bookings opened on May 7, with fares starting at around €500 return for a car and two passengers.
Crossings between Ringaskiddy, near Cork, and Boulogne-sur-Mer are expected to take around 21 hours. Ferries will depart each evening from Monday to Saturday in both directions.
The service will be operated by two ferries, the St Patrick and the Akka, carrying both freight and passengers including cars, campervans, lorries, cyclists and foot passengers.
Alternative to UK landbridge
Hibernia Line said the route is aimed partly at freight operators seeking to avoid travelling through Britain via the “UK landbridge”, which has become more administratively complex since Brexit.
The route is also expected to revive ferry activity at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where local authorities have invested €2.6million in reopening and securing terminal facilities, according to French maritime publication Le Marin.
Hibernia Line founder Aidan Coffey previously co-founded the Rosslare-Dunkirk service operated by DFDS.
The company is backed by Irish businessman Larry Goodman, founder of the ABP Food Group. French reports suggest €20million has been invested in the project.
Competition on France-Ireland crossings
The new route joins several existing direct ferry links between France and Ireland.
Brittany Ferries runs Cork to Roscoff and Rosslare to Cherbourg (Manche) services, while Irish Ferries runs crossings between Dublin and Cherbourg.
Stena Line withdrew its Rosslare-Cherbourg service in 2025.
Boulogne-sur-Mer may also appeal to travellers heading towards Belgium and northern Europe, with Bruges and Lille both within relatively easy driving distance.
Hibernia Line said each vessel will include 10 to 12 pet-friendly cabins.
