Irish Ferries’ Isle of Inishmore Undertakes Trials at Dover and Calais

Irish Ferries’ ISLE OF INISHMORE arrived at Dover and Calais for the first time on Saturday, June 19. The ship had sailed to Dover from the Fayard Shipyard at Odense, Denmark, only stopping to take on bunkers north of the island of Læsø.

A close-up of ISLE OF INISHMORE‘s newly fitted “cow-catcher” with her bow ramp down, taken as the ferry prepared to leave Fayard shipyard for Dover, 16.06.2021. Image: © Peter Therkildsen.

Irish Ferries' ISLE OF INISHMORE departs Fayard Shipyard, 16.06.2021. The ship took on bunkers the following morning at anchor north of the island of Laeso, before proceeding direct to Dover. Image: © Peter Therkildsen. — A close-up of ISLE OF INISHMORE‘s newly fitted “cow-catcher” with her bow ramp down, taken as the ferry prepared to leave Fayard shipyard for Dover, 16.06.2021. Image: © Peter Therkildsen.

Following arrival at Dover after 6am and a trial berthing at berth 7, the ship crossed to Calais for the first time. While there she tried out two different berths, 7 & 8, going both bow and stern in on Berth 8.

Irish Ferries’ new Dover – Calais route will commence on June 29, with bookings already being taken. The introduction of a third ferry operator has been welcomed by both ports, but has been condemned by unions on both sides of the channel. Competitor P&O Ferries has also upset unions with a plan to reintroduce PRIDE OF BURGUNDY manned by agency crews on new terms.

A slight change has been made to the Irish Ferries timetable since we first published it.

Irish Ferries' ISLE OF INISHMORE bow in at Calais 8 on her first visit to the port, 19.06.2021. Image: Port Boulogne Calais (Facebook) — Irish Ferries’ ISLE OF INISHMORE bow in at Calais 8 on her first visit to the port, 19.06.2021. Image: Port Boulogne Calais (Facebook)

ISLE OF INISHMORE now has a layover on Mondays, losing her early morning round trip from a Calais as a result.

Irish Ferries' ISLE OF INISHMORE stern in at Calais 8 on her first visit to the port, 19.06.2021. Image: Port Boulogne Calais (Facebook) — Irish Ferries’ ISLE OF INISHMORE goes stern in at Calais 8 on her first visit to the port, 19.06.2021. Image: Port Boulogne Calais (Facebook)

The amended timetable is as follows:

Depart Dover	Arrive Calais	Depart Calais	Arrive Dover
04:30 (GMT)*	07:00 (GMT+1)*	07:55 (GMT+1)	08:25 (GMT)
09:20 (GMT)	11:50 (GMT+1)	12:45 (GMT+1)	13:15 (GMT)
14:10 (GMT)	16:40 (GMT+1)	17:30 (GMT+1)	18:00 (GMT)
18:55 (GMT)	21:25 (GMT+1)	22:15 (GMT+1)	22:45 (GMT)
23:40 (GMT)	02:10 (GMT+1)	03:10 (GMT+1)*	03:40 (GMT)*

Irish Ferries’ preliminary Dover – Calais timetable. Please note that the first sailing will be 09:20 ex Dover on 29.06.2021. As ever, times may be subject to change. * Except Mondays

ISLE OF INISHMORE spent Sunday on Dover 7, only leaving the port to allow other traffic to use the berth. According to an email sent to Irish Ferries customers, ISLE OF INISHMORE has been “newly refurbished”. The company also says that she has a newly expanded duty-free shop. No further details on the extent of the refurbishment have been given.

With thanks to Peter Therkildsen.

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