Response of Ferry Firms to Concerns of West Cork Locals Reporting Rise in Visitor Numbers

11th April 2020

Jehan Ashmore

Rosslare Europort in this photo for AFLOAT which adds in these challenging times the Co. Wexford ferryport is now the nearest to West Cork. As according to EchoLive, Brittany Ferries have suspended all passenger services until further notice on the Cork-Roscoff route and Rosslare-Bilbao. AFLOAT adds however a 'freight' service is maintained to Spain and a new Rosslare-Roscoff route was to have launched last month. This leaves the 'south' of the country with only one Ireland-mainland Europe route, Stena Line's Rosslare-Cherbourg service. As for Rosslare's short-sea services linking the UK, Irish Ferries connect to Pembroke operated by Isle of Inishmore (on left) while Stena Line also serves south Wales to Fishguard using Stena Europe also berthed at the harbour. Credit: Jehan Ashmore

Among communities of West Cork towns there are growing concerns as people make their way to holiday homes and caravan parks this week, despite the 2km radius travel restriction put in place by the government.

Locals took to social media, reports EchoLive, to express their concerns and reported seeing an increase in UK vehicle registrations in coastal areas of the county.

Ferry companies who are still operating between the UK and Ireland have advised that passengers should only travel for essential purposes.

Simon Palmer, Communications Manager for Stena Line, which is still operating its ferry service from Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare Harbour in Wexford, said that passenger numbers over the Easter weekend were low.

Speaking to The Echo, he confirmed that a total of 26 passengers are due to arrive into Rosslare on Stena Line ferries over the weekend.

Five passengers are due to travel on Saturday, seven on Sunday and fourteen on Monday.

He said that those passengers who have already travelled to Ireland from Wales were deemed to be taking essential travel.

More on the story including a response from an Irish Ferries spokesperson on the situation click here.

Published in West Cork

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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