Dublin, Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Dublin (Republic of Ireland) section of FerryCrossings.org, the site for information about major UK, Eire and continental ports and the ferries between them. Our site includes an introduction to a number of ports and feature pages about the various crossing ways, lanes and routes and companies operating between them to help you plan your journey and discover interesting travel destinations along the way.

Port of Dublin, Republic of Ireland (Eire)

Dublin, capital city of the Republic of Ireland, Eire, lies at the mouth of, and is intersected by, the River Liffey. Her early heritage, as for the rest of Ireland, was proudly Celtic but in the years of Scandinavian invasions, in the 9th and 10th centuries, Dublin was ruled by the Vikings. In the years that followed, Viking influence waned, as Celtic strengthened again but then, in the 12th century, the Norman conquerors in England turned their attention to Ireland and invaded. Five centuries later, during the years of The Commonwealth in England, Oliver Cromwell turned his attention to Ireland, invading and taking Dublin, from which he ruthlessly subjugated much of the country. Dublin began to emerge as the most important city in the country. With the restoration of the Monarchy in England, Dublin's fortunes changed yet again and, with the Irish Parliament sitting in Dublin, the city's protestant and often aristocratic population thrived. Then, in 1800, another blow struck the city as The Act of Union with England became law and the Irish parliament was abolished. So began the long, slow process towards catholic emancipation and the right to self-governance. The city saw the abortive 1916 Easter Rising and, over the next few years, violent clashes between those fighting for Home Rule and the authorities. It would be 1922 before Irish rule and self determination returned to Dublin.

Today, Dublin is a cosmopolitan city which has much to offer to visitors both passing through or staying for a holiday. The city offers opportunities for shopping, leisure and sports activites and a vibrant nightlife. Dublin can boast a wealth of famous literary sons including George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, J.M. Synge, Seán O'Casey, Brendan Behan and, more recently, the popular writers Maeve Binchy and Roddy Doyle. Theatre, music, history and art are all of great importance in Dublin and visitors will find many opportunities to enjoy all of them. At Trinity College visitors can see the world famous Book of Kells, the fabulously illuminated manuscript of the four gospels created by Celtic monks around 800AD.

The Dublin of today is a rapidly expanding city that embraces economic change and innovation whilst at the same time holding fast to her cultural heritage and respect for the long struggle towards independence. Approximately a quarter of the population of the Republic now live in the metropolitan area of the city. One of the most well known names in Irish industry is that of 'Guinness', the name of the family after which the famous ale is named. The Guiness Brewery has been in existence since 1759.

Dublin is easily accessible from all points of the compass by road, rail, sea and air. A motorway ring road links the city to major roads taking buses and cars swiftly to all parts of the country.The city has two main railway stations. Heuston, in the west of the city centre, which connects to much of the west and south of the country including Cork. Connolly station, in the north-east part of the city, links to the south east areas, the east coast, Belfast and Sligo in the north-west.