We are driving rom Edinburgh down the coast and over to Ireland. We plan on crossing over on the Ferry on Heysham to Isle of Man and then Ferry again to Dublin. I am having problem finding good information on how this works. We will be driving a rental car out of Edinburgh. Has anyone done the Car Ferry?
Posted by
Dublin Ireland
95 posts
I don’t think there’s a car ferry from the Isle of Man to Ireland maybe Belfast but that might be just when the races are on I’ve had to fly whenever I went, the bigger problem is bringing a rental car out of the uk and into Ireland you would need to double check if that’s allowed by the car rental policy and even if it is I’d say they charge a premium
Posted by
Lake District, England
6016 posts
The ferry does run to both Dublin and Belfast but only on an occasional basis (every week or so) between Easter and September.
To Belfast there are only 4 sailings left this year on 31 August, 3 September, 24 and 31 December- the fall sailings are on the Manannan fast craft, the Christmas sailings on the new fleet flagship Manxman.
All these are daytime sailings but usually they are late evening sailings arriving at the Steam Packet's own Belfast Terminal at around 0100 or 0200.
This terminal is miles away from the Stena terminal- much closer into the city. It is fun finding it if you are a pedestrian at gone midnight!
To Dublin there is only one sailing left this year- on 30 August.
https://www.steam-packet.com/timetables
The rest of the time leave the English car at Morecambe, go over foot pax, hire a car on island, then fly on Emerald Airlines/Aer Lingus to either Belfast City airport or Dublin.
There are flights to the island from multiple UK airports, including Manchester and Liverpool, also Edinburgh (on Loganair) on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday.
Posted by
Preston UK
916 posts
Even if there was a suitable ferry for your dates you may well find that you can’t take your hire car across to Ireland, especially to the south.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1891 posts
I think you may need to fly between Isle of Man and Dublin. (Air Lingus have flights which take 50 minutes). Also drop your hire car off before catching the ferrry. as a foot passenger. Public transport on the Ilse of Man is excellent and you can manage without a car.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for all the help!! And so prompt, too.
Another question for Ireland travel, any recommendations for a nite stay in a castle??
Our route is Dublin to Cork to Galway and back to Dublin
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1891 posts
You have plenty of choice...
Dublin
• Clontarf Castle in Dublin
On the way to Cork there are
• Clomantagh Castle Freshford, Kilkenny
• Kilkea Castle in Castledermot, Co. Kildare
• Black Castle in Nenagh, Co Tipperary
In and around Galway
• Ashford Castle, in Cong, Co Mayo (about 26 miles from Galway City)
• Ballynahinch Castle in Recess, Co. Galway (about 40 iles from Galway City)