- Free travel for life is the prize
- Vessel will join Jonathan Swift and Ulysses
- Largest vessel on irish Sea
- Entries are accepted up to Friday September 29
Patrick Kavanagh, Robyn Byrne from Malahide and Dermot Merrigan of Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries launched a naming competition for €144m cruise ferry due for launch next Summer, offering free travel for life on Irish Ferries for the winner.
“We want a big, Irish, literary sized name to go on the biggest ferry ever on the Irish Sea.” Dermot Merrigan of Irish Ferries says. Entries are accepted until September 29.
Eamonn Rothwell, Rüdiger Fuchs CEO of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Andrew Sheen and David Ledwidge
He said the name should convey a sense of Ireland and our country’s literary past in a way that would have a proud and emotional appeal to Irish people, tourists and freight customers alike.
The 55,000 tonne vessel,under construction in Germany, will accommodate 1,885 passengers and crew and it will have 2,800 lane metres of freight vehicle capacity – that’s room enough for over 500 cars, or in freight mode, up to 165 articulated trucks and 300 cars on a dedicated car deck.
Passenger accommodation over four decks will consist of 440 cabins, ranging from suites with sea views and balconies, to deluxe and standard class accommodation. On-board facilities will include a choice of bars and lounge space, á la carte and self-service restaurants, cinemas, a shopping mall and a Club Class lounge with private passenger access direct from the vehicle decks. Facilities for freight drivers will be provided while pets too will be given their own dedicated facilities.
Names of vessels in the Irish Ferries fleet is inspired by the world of Irish literature and writing – examples being ‘Ulysses’, ‘Oscar Wilde’ and ‘Jonathan Swift’.
Irish Ferries managing director, Andrew Sheen said: “Our invitation, seeking suggestions from people in the naming of our new vessel, is one that marks the commencement of what will be one of the most exciting episodes in Irish Ferries’ history. Our new ship will raise ferry travel to a modern level of luxury never before available in the market here, the dawn of a new era for the tourism and freight sectors, both here and overseas. Space and accommodation and the many technical features will make travel even more comfortable, more economical and more eco-friendly.
- Suggestions here. The winner will get free travel on Irish Ferries’ services for life, while 20 more will get runner-up prizes .
- Watch here Dermot Merrigan of Irish Ferries speaking about the competition
- Watch here Nick Mottram of Irish Ferries speaking about his concners about the new ferry and the implications of Brexit
