THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF a new ferry service between Ireland, France and Spain has been hailed as good news for the tourism industry by Minister Leo Varadkar.

LD Ferries revealed its new routes today which provide the first landbridge from France and Spain into Ireland and could increase the number of visitors undertaking driving holidays on the island.

“We are already well serviced in terms of air access, but this new route will help us to grow ferry tourism into Ireland. Driving holidays encourage visitors to spend longer in Ireland and to explore more of the country,” said Varadkar.

From 5 January, the sailing schedule will introduce departures from Rosslare to Gijón in northern Spain (via St Nazaire in France) on Fridays at 9pm. There will also be a Gijón to Rosslare route (via St Nazaire) leaving Spain at 10pm on Tuesdays.

Related: Ireland named Best Tourism Destination by US magazine readers

More: Kilkenny named as Ireland’s 2013 Tourism Town

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