Displaying items by tag: Fastferry seasonal services

5th March 2016

Fastcraft Manannan to Resume IOM Seasonal Services

IOM Steam Packet fastcraft, Manannan to resume seasonal services in March

#RoutesResume - In less than a fortnight, seasonal Douglas-Liverpool sailings begin on 17th March when Isle of Man Steam Packet Company fast craft Manannan returns to service. The resumption will also mark sailings on Dublin and Belfast routes during March.

Once again passengers will be able to sail in and out of the heart of Liverpool every day on Manannan. There are more than 900,000 offer seats available on Steam Packet Company sailings during 2016 including popular Kids Go Free offers this summer.

The city is also a great gateway for any break in the UK, with the motorway network just minutes from the Pier Head landing stage and excellent rail, coach and bus links within walking distance. This location is also convenient for tourists heading to the Isle of Man.

The season of Irish services begins on 23rd March with the first sailing of the year to Dublin, and Belfast services resuming on 25th March.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Manannan is ready for another busy season as services to Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin resume. We are looking forward to welcoming many passengers on board the fast craft, both Island residents heading across and visitors travelling to discover the wonders of the Isle of Man.’

Published in Ferry

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.