Blast from the Past

“Blast from the Past” is a feature on NI Ferry Site, where we pluck something from the archives and share it on this website. In addition to the items already published on the web, the NI Ferry Site archive consists of a physical collection of hundreds of items such as photographs, brochures, publicity materials, and promotional goods; some of which have not been, or are no longer, shared online.

Sealink Saints get a fantastic new lease of life – part 1 (Galloway Princess / Stena Galloway / Le Rif / Morocco Sun)

Ferry photographer and writer, Matt Davies took a trip on the first of the four near-sisters built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast for Sealink. In this article we share some of his photos and take a look at the first Sealink ‘Saint’ to be given a new lease of life in recent times.

Former North Channel Ferry Emerges with New Look

MOROCCO SUN, the former GALLOWAY PRINCESS and STENA GALLOWAY of 1980, has emerged from dry dock in Gibraltar wearing a revised livery.

A misty and murky early morning in April 1999 with HSS Stena Voyager and Stena Galloway at the Belfast terminal. © Scott Mackey.

Stena Line – 25 Years in Belfast: The Stranraer years

Twenty five years after Stena Line relocated from Larne to Belfast, we take a look at the ships which served the Belfast - Stranraer route.

A fold-out brochure from Belfast Car Ferries for the 1983 season.

From the Archives: Belfast Car Ferries Fold-Out Brochure/Sailing Schedule (1983)

We take a look back almost 40 years to a 1983 Belfast Car Ferries brochure.

P&O European Ferries and North Sea Ferries joint land-bridge brochure (I think 1990). NI Ferry Site archive.

From the archives: P&O / North Sea Ferries joint “Eurolink” land-bridge brochure (approx. 1990)

A look at a P&O European Ferries and North Sea Ferries joint-brochure for landbridge from Larne via Cairnyran and Hull to Belgium and Holland.

STENA ANTRIM arrives in Belfast, 1995, still in Stena Sealink livery. Copyright © Alan Geddes.

[Blast from the Past] Stena Sealink announce move from Larne to Belfast

A look back at the announcement that Stena Sealink Line would be moving their Larne to Stranraer service to Belfast.

P&O's PRIDE OF CALAIS swings towards Belfast Lough having just left Belfast Dry Dock, 18.02.17. Copyright © Alan Geddes.

Blast from the Past: “Pride of Calais” makes a surprise visit to Belfast

Following the arrival of Irish Ferries’ ULYSEES for emergency dry docking in Belfast, we look back 11 years to the visit of PRIDE OF CALAIS.

Belfast Telegraph article about boiled puffin being served onboard the Larne - Stranraer refit relief vessel NORRONA. NIFS Archive

Blast From The Past: Puffin on the North Channel!

A look back at the NORRONA on the Larne to Stranraer service as a relief vessel of Stena Sealink Line. Features articles about a rather interesting restaurant menu and a rather lengthy crossing.

Photograph of the front page of P&O's "Welcome Aboard" onboard newsletter from 1992, featuring the introduction of PRIDE OF AILSA. NIFS archive.

Blast from the Past: Introducing Pride of Ailsa

This weeks "Blast from the Past" takes us back to 1992, and the introduction of P&O European Ferries' "new" ferry PRIDE OF AILSA on the Larne to Cairnryan route.

Crop of the cover of a menu from Belfast Ferries/Belfast Car Ferries ST COLUM I. Copyright © NIFerrySite Archive.

[Blast from the Past] Belfast Ferries Restaurant Menu

This weeks "Blast from the Past" is a menu from the Belfast - Liverpool ferry ST COLUM I, probably dating from the period shortly before the Belfast Car Ferries/Belfast Ferries service ended in October 1990 due to the use of the Belfast Ferries brand instead of "Belfast Car Ferries'.

A screenshot from the SeaCat 'Security Check' TV ad which aired in the early 2000's

Blast from the Past: The Seacat “Security Check” TV ad

Facing growing competition from the airlines in the late 90’s and early 00’s, SeaCat responded with this tongue in cheek TV ad.

VOMERO seen in Belfast Lough on 21st May 1995 while operating for Norse Irish Ferries. Copyright © Alan Geddes.

Blast from the Past: Norse Irish Ferries’ VOMERO

The Ro-Ro freighter VOMERO was chartered by Norse Irish Ferries in 1995 as a stop-gap following the return of NORSE MERSEY (i) to Stena until the arrival of the brand-new NORSE MERSEY (ii) from Visentini. VOMERO also operated in U.K. waters as IPSWICH PIONEER II and AQUILA.

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