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DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 13 JULY 2010

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Borraine (Ean Pugh), 2. Cor Baby (Keith Kiernan et al), 3. Katanca (C. Ennis/B O'Connor)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Chouskikou (R.Sheehan/R.Hickey), 2. Pamafe (Michael Costello), 3. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn)

Published in DBSC
DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 10 JULY 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 -Echo 1. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 2. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 3. Attitude (D.Owens/T.Milner)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 3. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish), 2. Xtravagance (Colin Byrne), 3. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al)

CRUISERS 1 - Echo 1. Indecision (Declan Hayes et al), 2. Jump The Gun (M.Monaghan/J.Kelly), 3. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish)

CRUISERS 2 - Echo 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Smile (B O'Sulliva et al)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Smile (B O'Sulliva et al), 3. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella)

CRUISERS 3 - Echo 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Wanderlust (E.& J.Melvin), 3. Wynward (Wyn McCormack)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Two Step (Ross Doyle), 3. Jabiru (M & S Renwick)

DRAGON Race 1- 1. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 2. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 3. Chiang (Iain Finnegan)

DRAGON Race 2- 1. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 2. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 3. Chiang (Iain Finnegan)

DRAGON Race 3- 1. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 2. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 3. Chiang (Iain Finnegan)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 2- 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. A Mere Triffle (P.Sherry), 3. Rollercoaster (Tom Murphy)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 1- 1. The Gruffalo (Keith Poole), 2. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 3. Fflogger (Alan Dooley)

GLEN - 1. Glencorel (B.Waldock/K.Malcolm), 2. Glengesh (G.Sands/B.O'Connor)

MERMAID Race 2- 1. Lively Lady (G O'Neill & M Hanney), 2. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 3. Tiller Girl (J.O'Rourke)

MERMAID Race 1- 1. Tiller Girl (J.O'Rourke), 2. Lively Lady (G O'Neill & M Hanney), 3. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan)

PY CLASS Race 1- 1. Tonia McAllister (Laser 1), 2. Brendan McConville (Wayfarer)

PY CLASS Race 2- 1. Tonia McAllister (Laser 1), 2. Brendan McConville (Wayfarer), 3. Francis Barry (Laser 1)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al), 2. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 3. Shillelagh (J.Caldwell/D.Barber)

SHIPMAN - 1. Curraglas (John Masterson), 2. Whiterock (Henry Robinson), 3. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Popje (Ted McCourt), 3. Gwili Two (D.Clarke/P.Maguire)

SQUIB Race 2- 1. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 2. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 3. Fox (R.Browne/M.Moran)

SQUIB Race 1- 1. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 2. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 3. Little Demon (Marie Dee)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - Echo 1. The Great Escape (P & D Rigney), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Just Jasmin (Philip Smith)

Published in DBSC

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 8 JULY 2010 

BENETEAU 31.7 - ECHO 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Fiddly Bits (Kevin Byrne et al), 3. Prima Nocte (Patrick Burke)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)

CRUISERS 0 - ECHO 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 1 - ECHO 1. Indecision (Declan Hayes et al), 2. Jump The Gun (M.Monaghan/J.Kelly), 3. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 3. Joker 11 (John Maybury)

CRUISERS 2 - ECHO 1. Borraine (Ean Pugh), 2. Kamikaze (P.Nash/B.McIntyre), 3. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Kit (Graeme Hanna)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Hard on Port (Flor O'Driscoll), 2. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 3. Cries of Passion (Bryan Maguire)

CRUISERS 3 - ECHO 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Hard on Port (Flor O'Driscoll), 3. Carrabeg (D.Martin/R.Deasy)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen)

DRAGON - 1. Zu (P.Dee et al), 2. Puca (P.Burke/R.Henry), 3. Chiang (Iain Finnegan)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. The Gruffalo (Keith Poole), 2. Deranged (C.Doorly), 3. Flyer (Niall Coleman)

GLEN - 1. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 2. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 3. Glencree (J.Bligh/H.Roche)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Shannagh (S.Gill/P.MacDiarmada), 2. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al), 3. Nuits St Georges (Alan Kirwan)

SB3s - 1. Design Security (Colin Galavan), 2. Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill), 3. Blue Bird (Cathy McAleavy)

SHIPMAN - 1. Curraglas (John Masterson), 2. Whiterock (Henry Robinson), 3. Macro One (Joseph Murray)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Popje (Ted McCourt), 2. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 3. Gwili Two (D.Clarke/P.Maguire)

SQUIB - 1. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 2. Absolutely Fabulous (N Kennedy/P Reilly), 3. Chillax (Mary McLoughlin)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - ECHO 1. Aurora (Ray Conway), 2. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer), 3. Just Jasmin (Philip Smith)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer), 2. Just Jasmin (Philip Smith), 3. Calypso (Howard Knott)

Published in DBSC

Barry O'Neill of the Royal St. George Yacht Club topped a 12-boat SB3 fleet tonight in perfect southerly sailing conditions on Dublin Bay. In a tight rounding of the 40-foot mark O'Neill at the helm of Sin Bin, already the winner of the DBSC first mid week series, produced another win. Full DBSC results from tonights racing below:  



DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 1 JULY 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 ˆ ECHO 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Kernach (Eoin O'Driscoll), 3. Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher), 3. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey)

CRUISERS 0 ˆ ECHO 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Gringo (Tony Fox), 2. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish), 3. Joker 11 (John Maybury)

CRUISERS 1 - ECHO 1. Indecision (Declan Hayes et al), 2. Gringo (Tony Fox), 3. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish)

CRUISERS 2 - ECHO 1. Dick Dastardly (B.Cusack et al), 2. Kamikaze (P.Nash/B.McIntyre), 3. Peridot (Jim McCann et al)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Dick Dastardly (B.Cusack et al), 2. Peridot (Jim McCann et al), 3. Free Spirit (John O'Reilly)

CRUISERS 3 - ECHO 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Lady Rowena (David Bolger), 3. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Rattler 2 (Austin Whelan), 3. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen), 2. Maranda (Myles Kelly)

DRAGON - 1. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 2. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 3. Susele (Michael Halpenny)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Deranged (C.Doorly), 2. The Big Bow Wow (N.Meagher/N.Matthews), 3. Flyer (Niall Coleman)

GLEN - 1. Glenmarissa (F.Elmes/W.Higgins), 2. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 3. Glenshane (P Hogan)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al), 2. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell), 3. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe)

SB3s - 1. Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill), 2. Design Security (Colin Galavan), 3. Mosquito (Paul O'Callaghan et al)

SHIPMAN - 1. Twocan (David Freeman), 2. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al), 3. Whiterock (Henry Robinson)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Popje (Ted McCourt), 3. Springer (I.Bowring)

SQUIB - 1. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 2. Chillax (Mary McLoughlin), 3. Nimble (Brian O'Hare)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - ECHO 1. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Edenpark (Liam Farmer)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al), 2. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 3. Calypso (Howard Knott)

Published in DBSC

Flor O'Driscoll's Championship winning J24 has added another title to the cabinet this week when Dublin Bay Sailing Club released the 28 winners of its first mid-week series. O'Driscoll who picked up the overall award at last year's 2009 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta is back in form taking the honours now in Class three.

DBSC organises racing on the bay for all the waterfront yacht clubs in Dun Laoghaire and the town marina, producing a combined fleet of nearly 300 boats. Its Thursday night fleet is one of the biggest yacht club turnouts in Europe.

George Sisk's Wow won Class Zero on IRC Handicap. A combined prize Cruisers Zero and One was was also awarded and this went to John Maybury's J109 Joker. ECHO honours in class zero went to Round Ireland entrant Tsunami sailed by Vincent Farrell. In the one design fleets Dick Lovegrove's Rupert was top in the Sigma 33s and Frank Hamilton's dinghy Dunmoanin' was the IDRA 14 winner. The first series winners are published below:

Midweek IRC Series 1:

Cruisers 0: WOW (George Sisk)

Cruisers 1: Jalapeno (Dermod Baker & others)

Combined Crs 0 & Crs 1: Joker 2 (John Maybury
Cruisers 2: Jawesome 2 ( Vivion Kennedy & others)

Cruisers 3: Hard on Port ( Flor O'Driscoll)

White Sails: Act 2 : Michael O'Leary  & others

Midweek Echo Series 1:

Cruisers 0: Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

Cruisers 1   Jalapeno (Dermod Baker & others)

Combined Crs 0 & Crs 1: Jalapeno (Dermod Baker  & others)
Cruisers 2: Red Rhum (J. & C.Nicholson)

Cruisers 3:Asterix (J. Counihan & others)

Cruisers  4: Maranda (Myles Kelly)

White Sails: Act 2 : (Michael O'Leary & others)

31.7s  Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher)

Midweek: One Designs: Series 1

Sigma 33s: Rupert  (R.Lovegrove & P. Varian) 
31.7s: Prospect (Chris Johnston)
Shipmans: Curraglas (John Masterson)

Dragons  Diva (R. Johnson & T. Goodbody)
Ruffians: Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe)
Glens: Glendun (B.Denham & others)
SB3s: Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill)

Flying 15s:Fifty Somethings (David Mulvin)

Mermaids: Tiller Girl (Jonathan O'Rourke)

Squibs: Little Demon: (Marie Dee & Sheila Power)

Fireballs: Elevation (Neil Colin & Margaret Casey)

IDRA 14s: Dunmoanin' (Frank Hamilton)
Portsmouth Y'stick: Laser 178952 (Peter Craig)

Water Wags: Moosmie (David McFarlane)

There is regular DBSC coverage on Afloat.ie. Results posted immediately after race HERE

Published in DBSC

Neil Colin at the helm of Fireball dinghy Elevation was the winner of tonight's Dublin Bay Sailing Club race sailed at low water in Scotsman's bay. Colin crewed by M.Casey beat experienced campaigner Louis Smyth sailing Licence to Thrill. Third was Frank Miller's Blind Squirrel. Conditions were light for the Tuesday night sailing that was also sailed by some of the clubs cruiser classes. Full Results here:



DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 29 JUNE 2010

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Powder Monkey (C.Moore/M.Byrne), 2. Something Else (J.Hall et al)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Free Spirit (John O'Reilly), 3. Borraine (Ean Pugh)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith), 2. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn), 3. Rattler 2 (Austin Whelan)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson)

FIREBALL - 1. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey), 2. Licence to Thrill (Louis Smyth), 3. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller)

GLEN - 1. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 2. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey), 3. Glenmiller (P Cusack)

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Squalls (Stephen Harrison), 3. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)

MERMAID - 1. Lively Lady (G O'Neill & M Hanney), 2. Tiller Girl (J.O'Rourke), 3. Oonagh (J&M Griffith)

PY CLASS - 1. Ross O'Leary (Laser), 2. Peter Craig (Laser), 3. Joan Flanagan (Laser)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell), 2. Golden Girl (Michael Carrigan et al), 3. Papillon (Paul Cassidy)

SHIPMAN - 1. Bluefin (B.Finucane et al), 2. Gusto (C Heath)

SIGMA 33 - 1. September Song (Conor Colleary), 2. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien), 3. Pastiche (John Peart et al)

SQUIB - 1. Tais (Michael O'Connell), 2. Periguin (N.Coakley/J.Redahan)


Published in DBSC

Ross O'Leary sailing a Laser dinghy mastered the light summer breeze in Scotsman's bay last night to win the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) division of Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Tuesday night race. Second was Gary O'Hare and third Peter Craig, both also sailing Laser dinghies. Full results for Dublin Bay Sailing Club Race 22 June are below:

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Katanca (C. Ennis/B O'Connor), 3. Borraine (Ean Pugh)                                                      

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn), 2. Pamafe (Michael Costello), 3. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith)                                         

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen), 3. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson)                                                   

FIREBALL - 1. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey), 2. Goodness Gracious (Louise McKenna), 3. Reality Check (Marie Barry)                                      

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Deranged (C.Doorly), 2. Gekko (S & P Nolan), 3. The Big Bow Wow (N.Meagher/N.Matthews)                                            

GLEN - 1. Glenmiller (P Cusack), 2. Glencorel (B.Waldock/K.Malcolm), 3. Glenmarissa (F.Elmes/W.Higgins)                                               

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 2. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 3. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)                                        

MERMAID - 1. Tiller Girl (J.O'Rourke), 2. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 3. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)                                                     

PY CLASS - 1. Ross O'Leary (Laser), 2. Gary O'Hare (Laser), 3. Peter Craig (Laser)                                                                    

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Shillelagh (J.Caldwell/D.Barber), 2. Papillon (Paul Cassidy), 3. Cresendo (L Balfe)                                                   

Published in DBSC

Lorcan O'Sullivan's Sapphire was the winner of both IDRA 14 dinghy races today in the Dublin Bay Sailing Club series. Sailing results below:

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 19 JUNE 2010                                                                                                      

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Snow White (Frank Burgess), 3. The Big Bow Wow (N.Meagher/N.Matthews)                                   

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. The Big Bow Wow (N.Meagher/N.Matthews), 3. Fflogger (Alan Dooley)                                       

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 2. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 3. Squalls (Stephen Harrison)                                          

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 2. Squalls (Stephen Harrison), 3. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton)

(No other DBSC class results issued by the club tonight)                              

Published in DBSC

Sea Kayaks were the only things moving on Dublin Bay last night as Dublin Bay Sailing Club cancelled Thursday evening's Club race due to lack of wind.

Published in DBSC

Louise McKenna's Goodness Gracious made the best of tricky light airs on Dublin Bay this evening to win the Dublin Bay Sailing Club Tuesday night dinghy race from Neil Colin's Elevation. Third was Marie Barry's Reality Check. It was the last chance for practice before the Fireball open event at East Down Yacht Club this weekend, and by all accounts Strangford Lough conditions may well match tonight. Full Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 15 JUNE 2010 are below: 

 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 15 JUNE 2010                                                                                                      

 

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 3. Powder Monkey (C.Moore/M.Byrne)                                   

 

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Borraine (Ean Pugh), 3. Katanca (C. Ennis/B O'Connor)                                                      

 

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Cacciatore (Anne O'Callaghan et al), 2. Rattler 2 (Austin Whelan), 3. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn)                                     

 

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 2. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen)                                                                             

 

FIREBALL - 1. Goodness Gracious (Louise McKenna), 2. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey), 3. Reality Check (Marie Barry)                                      

 

GLEN - 1. Glencoe (Rose Mary Craig et al)                                                                                                             

 

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 2. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 3. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)                                        

 

MERMAID - 1. Tiller Girl (J.O'Rourke), 2. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 3. Lively Lady (G O'Neill & M Hanney)                                              

 

PY CLASS - 1. Peter Craig (Laser), 2. Tim Goodbody (Laser 1), 3. Ross O'Leary (Laser)                                                                 

 

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell), 2. Golden Girl (Michael Carrigan et al), 3. Shillelagh (J.Caldwell/D.Barber)                               

 

SIGMA 33 - 1. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien), 2. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 3. September Song (Conor Colleary)                        

 


Published in DBSC
Page 59 of 60

Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!