Dún Laoghaire, Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Dún Laoghaire (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. You can even compare prices and save money on your ferry tickets with ads from selected major ferry lines.

Port of Dún Laoghaire, Republic of Ireland (Eire)

Dún Laoghaire. Dún Laoghaire (pronounced as ' Dun Leary ' / ' Dunleary ') is a small town just to the south of Dublin, on Dublin Bay, and is popular port of entry for ferry passengers from Holyhead (on Anglesey, North Wales). The town has a backdrop of beautiful rolling green hills. Dún means fort and it was here that the 5th century Irish High KIng Laoghaire made his defensive base, a stone fort to withstand onslaught from the Romans. It was also King Laoghaire who allowed the missionary Patrick (once a slave but later to become St Patrick), to preach Christianity to the people. In 1821 the growing town (around the new harbour) was renamed Kingstown in honour of King George lV, following his State Visit to Ireland but, just one hundred years later, in 1921, it reverted to its original name.

Most of the present town dates from around the 1820s but is very close to the old fishing village of the same name. The town itself came into being as a result of the need for a safe harbour in close proximity to Dublin. The necessitiy for the new port was reinforced when, in 1807, two ships were driven onto the rocks, in heavy seas, between Dublin and Dún Laoghaire, and capsized with the loss of hundreds of lives. Over the years many ships waiting to enter the river mouth to Dublin's harbour had foundered on the rocks and been lost in gales but this double loss strengthened the campaign for a safer haven. The decision to build the new port was eventually taken and it was on the occasion of King George lV's visit to the new port that it had its name-change. The construction work on the port was on-going for over 40 years but it would become one of the largest in the country. There is an obelisk, near the old ferryport terminal, which commemorates the the construction of the harbour. The new port brought trade and industry to the area and a town began to build itself around the harbour. The coming of the railway into town wasn't far behind and it arrived in 1834 bringing with it even more opportunities for the town to grow and prosper. It became a desirable place to live, or visit, not too far from the city and convenient for those whose businesses were in Dublin. The architecture of this period is reflected in the elegant rows of town houses to be seen in the town. For the first one hundred and ten years of its existence the only road link between Dún Laoghaire and Dublin was along an old road which was unsuitable for heavy traffic. In 1932 thousands of visitors were expected in Dublin for the Eucharistic Congress and it was realised that the old road would not be able to cope with the numbers coming through Dún Laoghaire en route to Dublin so a new, coast road was constructed between the two, taking in parts of the old route.

The town has 2 granite piers, East and West, and a long promenade, along which walkers can take a pleasant stroll and look out over the waters of the bay, watch the many yachts and boats coming and going or turn their eyes inland to enjoy the green hills beyond the town. At the end of the East Pier is a lighthouse. For those interested in seafaring history there is The National Maritime Museum of Ireland which is to be found in "the Mariners' Church" near the town's centre. Just to the south of Dún Laoghaire is a small, defensive Martello Tower which houses a tiny museum dedicated to the writer James Joyce who spent a few days there. Another writer associated with Dún Laoghaire is the playwright Samuel Becket who was born not far away.

Water sports and related activities are integral to the life of the town and Dún Laoghaire is home to numerous yachting and rowing clubs, as well as The Irish National Sailing School & Club. The largest marina in Ireland is to be found in Dún Laoghaire. The town also hosts the 3 day, global music event, The Festival of World Cultures, which attracts over a quarter of a million visitors in August each year. Other National Festivals and events are hosted in the newly built Pavilion Theatre, opened in 2000.