Overview

In 1973, a newcomer to the Irish ferry scene began sailings between Rosslare and Le Havre with the brand new state-of-the-art car ferry Saint Patrick. A subsidiary of deep sea company Irish Shipping, Irish Continental Line would grow from a single ship operator to become Irish Ferries; the leading ferry operator to and from the Republic of Ireland. In recent years, the company has invested over 450 million in new fleet and port facilities. The Line's progress so very nearly came to a premature end when in 1984 Irish Shipping went into liquidation. The ferry operation was viewed by the liquidator as a viable concern and was therefore offered for sale. Amongst interested parties was the state-owned B+I Line, but the company was eventually purchased in a buyout by its management as the Irish Continental Group. To operate their acquisition a new company was formed; Irish Ferries plc. In a remarkable twist of fate, Irish Continental Group went on to purchase B&I Line from the Irish government in 1992. Known to the Irish simply as The B&I, the rival to the British-operated Sealink had its operations steeped in history, linking right back to 1823 and the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company. It is against this backdrop that Irish Ferries continues to thrive, linking Ireland with Britain and mainland Europe. Its success as Ireland's Best Ferry Company is a clear reflection of the high level of service passengers have come to expect.

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9781906608606

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Brought up in South Wales, Miles lived in Pembrokeshire for 22 years before moving to the Isle of Man in 2002. He has a life-long interest in ferries and in 1989, with business partner John Hendy, created Ferry Publications now acknowledged as one of Europes leading specialist shipping industry publishers. Miles has followed the progress of Brittany Ferries since those very early days in 1973, having sailed on all of the companys ships and routes and still a devotee and regular passenger today. In the process he has amassed a vast collection of photographs and other memorabilia, and is himself a very accomplished photographer, his work for the travel industry taking him to many parts of the British Isles and Europe. Justin Merrigan grew up close to Dublin Bay where the activities surrounding Irish Sea ferries became a fascination. A career in the ferry industry was an obvious choice and resulted in his emigration to Tasmania in 2000. During his ten years with fast ferry builder Incat he travelled extensively around the world further developing his wide knowledge of the ferry industry. He has written many shipping books and in particular the Sealink operations of his childhood has become his specialist subject.

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