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Updated 12.23pm
A NEW FERRY between Counties Louth and Down was unable to take its planned maiden cross-border voyage today.
Due to “severe gale force weather conditions” the inaugural journey of the Scenic Carlingford Ferry has been delayed.
In a statement, management and crew apologised for any inconvenience caused by the disruption.
They said: “The safety of passengers is our priority and the severe weather conditions we are experiencing today are not suitable for sailing at this time.
Unfortunately, these circumstances are beyond our control.
With the weather forecast looking slightly more promising for the weekend, the maiden voyage of the ferry has been rescheduled for 10am tomorrow morning.
Locals are hoping that the Scenic Carlingford Ferry will boost tourism and the economy north and south of the border.
The €10 million project is entirely privately financed and operated by Shannon-based company Frazer Ferries Group.
The investment included the construction of terminals at Greenore in Louth and Greencastle.
The ferry has the capacity to carry 44 cars, with the crossing taking 15 to 20 minutes on the scenic Carlingford Lough.
Organisers say that the one mile journey by ferry will save passengers driving 35 miles by road.
Paul O’Sullivan, founder and managing director of Scenic Carlingford Ferry said he hoped that the service would “act as a catalyst for economic development in the south Down north Louth region”.
At the moment, prices are starting at €2.25 for a single foot passenger journey when booked online (€3 normally). A single car journey (including passengers) currently costs €11.25 one way when booked online (€15 normally).
With reporting from Sean Murray
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Great news – and good luck!
@Fank Pulman: they’ve changed the headline and altered the text (instead of spending time on a new article).. Anyway Let’s hope tomorrow goes better, everyone wishes them the best.
It did go ahead just a little bit later than planned.
Beautiful part of the world.
Super idea, best of luck :-)
Is this not a tad expensive for a one way journey with the car !
@Mike Howard: Well, unless you work in Greenore and live in Greencastle (or vice versa), then It’s purely for tourists.
For a car full of tourists, a beautiful cruise across Carlingford Lough is worth €11.25 imo.
@Mike Howard: Good God. People in this country would whinge about the cost of anything. That’s actually very reasonable for a scenic boat trip. It’s not the Number 17b taking you to your nearest Dunnes.
@Mike Howard: lovely way to get from Cooley to the Mournes. Two of the nicest parts of the country without having to endure the agony of Newry in between. Winner!
@Mike Howard: Nope. Not at all. The River Lee Cross river ferry is €5.00 one way, the River Shannon tunnels in Limerick is €1.90
25 minutes on a ferry. The price is reasonable I think
@Paul Devlin: hey back off, leave Newry alone. We try our best!
What about the customs post!
@Con Murphy: it’s being built in the middle of the Lough. should be ready for Brexit
@Con Murphy: We did used to have the gunboat patrols in the middle of Carlingford Lough. Let’s hope that won’t be necessary again.
Maybe they should have waited until after brexit negotiations -
@eoghanoc: __ There will be no room for vehicles when the duty-free has to take up all the space.
Build a bridge!
Historically there was a ferry there – great to see a new one – lovely part of Ireland with great scenery.
Will definitely visit again but use the ferry this time.
In the 19th century there was a ferry from Greencastle to Greenore.
Is there random seating ?
It’s not cheap.
@Owen Lynch: you’re just poor.
If they can’t sail on a sunny day in July, how are they going to stay in business?
I guess a post Brexit wet border is better than a hard one.
Louth ferry Down!!
Nice
Definitely a fiendish British plot funded by Tory money to bolster partition.
Fake news this time I’m afraid. It actually ran albeit a little late and from Greenore instead of Greencastle with the first passengers followed by cars disembarking at 13:26 today and first passengers leaving Greencastle at 13:50
How much for an artic?
An artic lorry? Why not ask them instead of Journal readers?
@Conor Byrne: It was directed more at the author as I’d imagine commercial transport is what this service is aimed at but was left out of the report. And it’s a figure that would be of more interest to the readership, simply as an insight into transportation costs unlike your lame and ill concieved comment.
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