A new ferry operator, Hibernia Line, has announced a year-round service linking Ringaskiddy in Cork with Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, opening a new direct route between Ireland and mainland Europe.
Bookings are now open for the ‘St Patrick’ (chartered from Tallink) and the ‘MV Akka' (time-chartered from TT Line), which will operate six sailings per week in each direction from mid-June 2026. The service is designed to provide a consistent and practical option for both freight and passenger travel. Legend has it that St Patrick himself was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, and in a fitting tribute, one of Hibernia Line’s flagship vessels carries his name.
As Afloat reported previously, this new route is built around simple evening departures. Passengers can board in Cork at 9pm, settle into a cabin and arrive in France the following evening. In the opposite direction, sailings depart Boulogne-sur-Mer at 10pm CET and arrive in Cork the next day. Hibernia Line projects to carry upwards of 250,000 passengers annually.
Hibernia Line is headquartered in Cork and is creating up to 250 immediate jobs in Ireland and France, including approximately 200 crew positions. Some of these will be cadets from the National Maritime College of Ireland, based in Ringaskiddy. Hibernia Line is supported by the Goodman Group, reflecting strong confidence in the long-term value of the route.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, said, “Hibernia Line’s new route represents a significant enhancement in Ireland’s connectivity with mainland Europe, strengthening both passenger travel and freight capacity. Improved direct routes of this kind support more resilient supply chains, reduce pressure on existing ports and provide greater choice for businesses and passengers. I welcome investment that contributes to regional development, job creation, and more efficient, reliable transport links between Ireland and mainland Europe.”
Hibernia Line founder and chief executive, Aidan Coffey, said the goal is to make travel and freight movement between Ireland and Europe more straightforward and dependable. “The focus is on consistency, frequency, and a service that works for both freight and passengers,” said Aidan, who has years of experience in the freight, shipping, and construction industries. “I’ve seen first-hand how even small inconsistencies can disrupt hauliers’ schedules, so we’ve designed these routes with that in mind, reducing exposure to risks such as port congestion, capacity constraints, and delays, while also prioritising comfort, driver welfare, and level of service on board.”
For freight passengers, the new route provides a direct and dependable corridor into continental Europe. With congestion increasing at existing ports, the Cork to France connection offers additional capacity and flexibility for hauliers, manufacturers, and exporters. The service operates six days per week year-round and supports efficient supply chains with predictable schedules and overnight crossings. Drivers benefit from dedicated cabins during the voyage. The ‘St Patrick’ has a deck space of 2,200 lane metres, while the ‘MV Akka’ can carry 2,500 lane metres of freight and passenger vehicles.
For passengers, the route opens a new gateway between Ireland and Europe, with onward access to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and beyond. From France, Ireland’s west coast and Wild Atlantic Way are now more accessible.
H.E. Céline Place, Ambassador of France to Ireland, said, “I am delighted to see the opening of the new year-round ferry service linking Ringaskiddy with Boulogne-sur-Mer. It is now one of many ferry services between Ireland and France, so travelling to your closest neighbour in the EU is only getting easier.
“New maritime connections such as this one have added significantly to the vibrancy of the Franco-Irish relations in recent years. Congratulations to everyone at Hibernia Line for making this happen.”
On board, both vessels are designed for comfort on longer crossings, with private cabins, pet-friendly and accessible options, dining and refreshment areas, lounges, a children’s play area, and gaming facilities. The ‘St Patrick’ holds 193 cabins, and the ‘MV Akka’ has 227, with capacity for over 600 passengers per sailing.
