#NewFerryRoute - Irish Ferries are to launch in 2014 a new direct passenger car ferry service linking Dublin with the French port of Cherbourg with the first sailing departing from Dublin Port on Saturday 18 January.

The once-weekly, year round service – which the company's head of passenger sales Dermot Merrigan says "will bring the European motorways directly into the heart of our capital city" – will depart from Dublin every Saturday (15.30) arriving into Cherbourg next morning (11.30). Return sailings will depart Cherbourg each Sunday (17.00) with early arrival back in Dublin on Monday morning (11.00).

The new route will be operated by the passenger car and freight ferry vessel mv Epsilon which Irish Ferries as previously reported on Afloat.ie has recently secured under a charter arrangement.

On its new Dublin to Cherbourg route, Irish Ferries will provide a third route option, augmenting the company's long-established services from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Roscoff. Sure to be popular with families and holidaymakers alike, this new direct service from Dublin is timed to arrive in Cherbourg early enough to facilitate easy onward travel to campsites and holiday centres throughout France.

With the introduction of the Epsilon and their new route from Dublin to Cherbourg, the intention on the part of Irish Ferries is to provide an economy-style service distinctly different from that operated by their cruise ferry Oscar Wilde which will continue to service routes from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Roscoff as before.

Because of the more limited range of cabins and passenger attractions on board the Epsilon when compared to the Oscar Wilde, Irish Ferries is seizing the opportunity to offer customers lower fares and an even broader choice of route options. In this way, the company is extending the appeal of a motoring holiday in France to an even wider segment of the market.

Built in 2011, the Epsilon has capacity for 500 passengers. Economy style facilities on board include a bar, cafeteria, self-service restaurant, two and four berth cabins, free wi-fi service and 2,860 lane metres of vehicle deck parking space.

Commenting further, Dermot Merrigan said "our new Dublin to Cherbourg direct service will appeal to those living within and beyond our capital city. Fast access straight through the city or via the Dublin Port Tunnel ensures that our new Ireland – France service will be more accessible to all."

Fares for this new Dublin to Cherbourg car ferry service are from €99 for a car & driver.