Fastnet Line’s Swansea to Cork service begins amidst great expectations of increased tourism traffic to and from Ireland and Wales, and pre-bookings topping €1m.

Fastnet Line’s MV Julia commenced its inaugural sailing from Swansea to Cork yesterday (10th March 2010).
Dubbed ‘The People’s Ship’, the 1,860-passenger MV Julia is the realisation of the dreams of several small business owners and interested individuals from Ireland and the UK who formed The West Cork Tourism Co-Operative, acknowledging the wisdom of a sea link with the UK, and Wales in particular. Having set about purchasing a ship to help revive the dwindling in-coming tourist numbers on both sides of the Irish Sea and with the help and goodwill of several private investors, small companies and organisations (including some investors from outside Ireland) the consortium overcame several obstacles and the ship and its shipping line – Fastnet Line – became a reality.
Having successfully completed its dry-docking process in Wales and achieved relevant certification and testing of safety systems, the ship has met the strict requirements demanded by the International Safety Management Code (ISM) and the Irish and UK authorities.
Tom Barrett, CEO at Fastnet Line commented: ‘With bookings topping the €1m mark, people are obviously very aware of the savings on time and the road trip savings of 600km over alternative sea crossings, not to mention the direct access to the M4 corridor when they arrive in Swansea. The ship is now fully certified to deliver a safe and enjoyable trip for passengers and we are looking forward to putting to sea and demonstrating the benefits of travelling with Fastnet Line. We are immensely proud of the effort put in by our crew to get the ship ready and look forward to rewarding our shareholders who have put so much faith in us to bring this initiative to fruition. In particular we would like to thank the Port of Cork and ABP Ports in Swansea for their outstanding assistance from the outset.’
Prior to his resignation this week on health grounds, Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, said: ‘I welcome this significant local initiative and congratulate all those involved in setting up the new Cork to Swansea route. This is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Irish tourism sector and demonstrates their commitment and willingness to rise to the challenge and be proactive in the current economic climate. Tourism Ireland looks forward to working closely with Fastnet Line through its cooperative marketing campaigns, to support demand for this service in our all-important British tourism market and in particular, to grow tourism business into the Cork, Kerry and southern region.’
The Welsh Assembly’s Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: ‘The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports the initiative and recognises the benefits to tourism on both sides of the Irish Sea. Our tourism arm, Visit Wales, continually promotes Wales in the Irish marketplace and we look forward to the flow of tourists into the country.’
Mr Jones, who is also the Minister for the Economy and Transport added: ‘We are fostering strong relationships with the Irish government, and with tourism and civic authorities to ensure that this route is a success. There is an undoubted connection between the people of Wales and the people of Ireland and this new service will strengthen these ties.’
Now open for bookings on www.fastnetline.com, this year-round service on the 154metre long MV Julia will carry passengers, cars and commercial freight and run 6 nights a week, with additional sailings in high-season, i.e. July and August. Sailing will be overnight departing at 21.00 hours and arriving 07.00 a.m. next day. With a capacity of 1860 passengers, 440 cars, 40 trucks/trailers, and 300 cabins (including 14 deluxe cabins), the MV Julia is well suited to the route and to the enjoyment of a mini-cruise en route to Swansea. With a number of bars and restaurants, an on-board cinema and retail space, a new children’s area, on-board retail area, casino, kennels and extensive deck areas to enhance the experience, there is no doubt but that this route adds an exciting new option for consumers and businesses alike.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Fastnet Line personnel please call:

Irish Media Contact – Mary Hopkins/Kathleen Harrington
UK media contact: Judy Hopkins

Hopkins Communications, Cork, Ireland
00 353 21 4272200; 00 353 86 3120752 (mobile).
mary@hopkinscommunications.ie

Editors Notes:

FASTNET LINE:
Fastnet Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Cork Tourism Co-op which was set up in April 2009 following a long public campaign to reintroduce this much-missed service to the South West region of Ireland. Funded mainly by private investors from Cork, Kerry and South Wales, the service has been dubbed ‘The People’s Ferry’. The Co-Op acquired the ship in September 09.
Fastnet Line executives and managers have many years of experience in ferry, hotel and customer-service environments and aim to make the new service the most convenient and comfortable way to cross the Irish Sea. This, coupled with an overwhelming support for the service both in its local area and in Wales, augurs well for the success of this year-round service.
Investors: Fastnet Line is also offering investment opportunities for those interested in becoming members of the Co-Op or through investment in secured bonds. Information on www.fastnetline.com or from 00 353 21 4378892 (9am-5.30pm weekdays).
THE SERVICE:
This all year round service, which will carry passengers, cars, commercial freight, campers/caravans, bikes and pets will run 6 nights a week, with additional sailings in high-season, i.e. July and August.
Sailing will be overnight departing at 21.00 hours and arriving 07.00 a.m. next day.
THE SHIP:
154 metres long (longer than Croke Park, Ireland’s largest football stadium!).
Max passenger capacity: 1,860
Max car capacity: 440
Max Freight capacity: 40 trucks/ trailers.
Cabins: 300.
Public Areas: Extensive deck areas for sightseeing.
Cinema: On board cinema
Shopping: On board retail
Activities on Board: Casino.
Crew: Crew of 80.
Bars: Includes the The Cape Clear Bar, named after Ireland’s most southerly island and The Island Bar –spacious and comfortable and providing entertainment.
Restaurants: There are four restaurants aboard to cater to all tastes including The Fastnet Restaurant which will offer a grill room style menu and a self-service style restaurant with children’s menu.
Kennels: On board dog kennels - 15 kennels
Versatile ship which is well suited to the route.
THE BENEFITS;
Road trip savings of over 600km over alternative sea crossings.
Comfort and luxury: Consider the sea crossing as a mini-cruise. With comfortable cabins, extensive public areas and a selection of restaurants and bars passengers can enjoy life on the ocean wave en route to their destination.
ACCESS:
The MV Julia docks at the Ferry Terminal, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork – just 16km outside Cork city (23 mins). West Cork and all its glorious beaches, scenery and excellent bars, restaurants, hotels and family attractions is less than an hour’s drive from the ferry terminal.
The MV Julia docks in Swansea docks with direct access to the M4, and just 1.5km from Swansea City Centre, with the beauty of Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower within easy reach. Cities on the M4 route include Newport, Swindon, Reading and London, offering exciting rendezvous points in the hinterland. The M5 from Swansea takes you into the heart of Devon and Cornwall or visitors can drive north and explore Wales and all it has to offer.
CURRENT OFFERS/SAILING INFORMATION:
For details of current offers log on to www.fastnetline.com or call Fastnet Line
UK Reservations +44 (0) 844 576 8831
Irish Reservations 021 4378892
Shareholders Reservations 021 4378892

Group & Freight Reservations 021 4378892
Or email: info@fastnetline.com
For information on visitor attractions in Ireland please log on to:
www.discoverireland.ie/southwest
For information on visitor attractions in Wales please log on to:
www.visitwales.com
Ends.