Sailings from Doolin to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher is set to get faster and much more comfortable thanks to Ireland's newest cruise ship - a brand new €3m custom-built ship which will be launched in May 2018 by Doolin2Aran Ferries.
Doolin2Aran Ferries is owned and operated by one of the best-known seafaring families on the west coast, the Garrihy family from Doolin. They have been operating commercially on the seas around Doolin since 1968.
In what will be the biggest single private transport infrastructure investment on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Garrihy family run business have commissioned a luxurious state of the art new vessel that is currently being built by OCEA Shipbuilding in La Rochelle, France. The last new ship to be commissioned for Doolin was the DOOLIN DISCOVERY built 2009 also by the Garrihy family.
Fastest, Most Comfortable Vessel
The 26 meter vessel, which will be named later this year, will be the fastest and most comfortable domestic cruise ship on the entire Irish coast.
It will operate daily sailings to the Aran Islands as well as the stunning cruise experience to the foot of the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most captivating tourist encounters that can be had in Ireland.
The one-off designed cruise ship will also be tailored for international tourists, with multi-lingual voice and visual guide systems to ensure visitors get the absolute experience and knowledge of the stunning heritage sites.
State-of-the-Art Technology
Commenting on the investment, Eugene Garrihy of Doolin2Aran Ferries said: “We worked hard to get the new improved pier facilities at Doolin and now we are investing in this state of the art vessel. We have grown the business year on year and we feel the time is right to take our business to a new level with this investment. The Wild Atlantic Way is proving a global tourism phenomenon and we in the tourist industry have to respond by improving the quality of our offering to ever more discerning customers.”
In production since late October, the 200-seat vessel is designed and built with the benefit of the most advanced modern technology and will come with the highest specification of any passenger ferry. It will incorporate system built seating and air conditioning, and the most advanced computerised stability system providing quality and comfort to passengers.
It will join the growing fleet of Doolin2Aran Ferries vessels to accommodate the huge increase in popularity of cruises to the islands and the Cliffs of Moher. It will be the largest operator sailing out of the hugely popular Aran Islands gateway pier. Garrihy’s also own and operate The Happy Hooker, The Rose of Aran, The Jack B, The Doolin Discovery and the St Bridget which operates on Dublin Bay.
Newest Cruise Ship is also Eco-Friendliest Boat in Ireland
The ship will be the largest and fastest operating to the islands from Doolin and as it will operate in the UNESCO Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark we were also particularly delighted that it will have a major positive impact on the environment. The ship embraces the latest in terms of environmentally friendly technologies with a high-tech, on-board waste water treatment plant and TIER ii advanced low emission energy efficient engines.
“We’re really looking forward to it being completed and getting her back here”, said Eugene. “This is the newest cruise ship design in Ireland, there’ll be nothing like it for tourists heading out from the west coast and our customers will love it.”