#Ferryport - Christmas brings increased demand for Irish Sea ferry services, as Stena Line estimate it will carry more than 135,000 passengers over the festive period, writes Jehan Ashmore.

On the premier Dublin-Holyhead route, this was the first festive season involving Stena Superfast X which was introduced earlier this year. The conventional tonnage 'Superfast' ferry operates alongside Stena Adventurer.

Competing directly on the Ireland-Wales route is Irish Ferries, which in order to cope with the busy time of year, transferred cruiseferry Oscar Wilde following completion of French route duties. The cruiseferry joined the routes three ferries. At the time of writing, Oscar Wilde is shifting berths in Dublin Port between the East Link bridge and back to the main ferryport, terminal 1 to resume sailings. 

In addition, the Irish capital was boosted with Isle of Man sailings, which took place for the second weekend, either side of Christmas Day. This saw ropax Ben-My-Chree make her rare yet customary Christmas appearance with Douglas-Dublin overnight round-trips. These crossings were completed in the early hours of this morning. 

Due to more ferries running in and out of Dublin's ferryport terminal one, which has two berths, it was at berth no 51(a) that has been shared over the festive season. The linkspan at berth 51(a) is where routine Irish Ferries fast-ferry HSC Jonathan Swift sailings operate plus those sailings carried out by Oscar Wilde.

As for Stena Line operations in Dublin, they are served using a single berth at neighbouring ferryport terminal two.

Jonathan Swift is the only Ireland-UK fast-ferry that operates year-round, however the Manx-Irish route operated by fast-ferry Manannan is to resume in the Spring. From then the fastferry also enters service on other routes, mainly the Douglas-Liverpool link.