#B+IlineReunion – A B+I Line reunion is to be held at the Clifton Court Hotel, Eden Quay, Dublin on Saturday November 15th starting at 20.00hrs, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The British and Irish Steam Packet Company otherwise commonly known as simply 'The B+I Line' was founded in 1836 and was later sold by Coast Lines Ltd to the Irish Government in 1965.

Former employees of the state-owned car ferry and freight operator, from crew members to shore-based personnel are all welcome to attend the annual reunion now in its fourth year.

The reunions over the previous years have been a great success and the organisers hope to see many more of friends and shipmates there this year. The gathering will bring no doubt many seafaring tales and antics from on and offshore too!

Among the company's most remembered marketing campaigns where... B+I Line  'Motorway' to advertise Irish Sea car ferry services and by sailing with an Irish crew hence the slogan 'B&I... The Best of Irish!

A subtle change in branding was the replacement of the company's abbreviated name from 'B+I Line' which dropped the 'plus' sign to that of the ampersand as the 'B&I Line' which appeared in more recent times of the operators existance.

The B&I Line operated a fleet of car-ferries named after provinces such as 'Leinster' while ro-ro freight-ferries and containerships were given the theme of towns and counties such as the 'Wicklow'. In addition Corkonians proudly had the the popular name of 'Innisfallen' that graced several ships serving across the Celtic Sea.

B+I Line's ro-ro freight ferry Tipperary. Photo: Jehan Ashmore Collection

B&I Line remained in state control for almost 50 years until sold in 1991 to private interests, Irish Continental Group (ICG), parent company of Irish Ferries. Despite the sale of the famous household name known on both sides of the Irish Sea, this name continued trading albeit as 'B&I Line – an Irish Ferries Company'.

The last vestiges of the venerable B&I Line name that spanned the past 160 years was eventually consigned to history when the transition took place on 1 January 1995 with that of the brand Irish Ferries.

For further information about the B&I Line reunion, contact Noel Byrne on: 086 313 0697 or email: [email protected] or Morris Ward on 087 740 9249