Dublin Swift

The Dublin Swift is a high-speed catamaran operated by Irish Ferries on the Dublin–Holyhead route. It is one of the fastest ferries in Europe. The vessel can carry more than 800 passengers and around 200 vehicles. The ferry reaches speeds of up to about 35 knots (approximately 40 mph).

Irish Ferries

On Board

Facilities

The Dublin Swift is modern and comfortably appointed, with a shop selling souvenirs and magazines, and a café where you can enjoy coffee, a sandwich, or a hot meal. For the youngest travellers, there is a small kids’ corner where they can play for a while.

At the back of the ship you can get a breath of fresh air. The space is limited and enclosed by a cage-like structure, but it still lets you step outside to enjoy the sea breeze and take in the views over the water. 

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Ferry Facts

  • Type ship: High-speed RoRo / catamaran ferry
  • Length: 333 ft
  • Beam (width): 87,4 ft
  • Draught (depth): 14,1 ft
  • Passenger capacity: ~ 900 passengers
  • Vehicle capacity: ~ 250 cars
  • Cabins: no cabins
  • Speed: 35 knots
  • Fuel Type: Diesel
  • Year Built: 2001 (by Austal, Australia)

Good to Know about the Dublin Swift

Practical Information

  • The Dublin Swift is a popular choice for travellers thanks to its speed. With a crossing time of just 2.5 hours, Dublin feels much closer than you might expect.
  • Space for vehicles on board is limited, so it’s advisable to book early to secure a spot.
  • During the winter months, the Dublin Swift is taken out of service on the Holyhead–Dublin route. This is due both to reduced demand and to rougher weather conditions. As a fast ferry, the Dublin Swift is more sensitive to storms and high waves than the larger cruise ferries operating on the same route.

Club class

The Club Class is an upgrade for just £18/€21 per passenger. For this you receive priority boarding, discounts on products in the shop, and most importantly, access to the lounge at the front of the ship where you can enjoy beautiful views and complimentary use of the buffet.

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Experience with the Club Class

We experienced the Club Class with two adults and can definitely recommend it for the price. It offers an extra touch of luxury and space, great views, and complimentary coffee and snacks. If you move around a bit more, as many people do, it easily adds up to a full breakfast or lunch. That makes the price very appealing, since there’s a good chance you would otherwise buy a sandwich on board anyway. It’s not overly formal or businesslike, and families were also making use of the upgrade (though the costs do add up in that case).
J. Vanderby
ferry traveller
Irish-Ferries-dublin-swift-sailing

From U.S. Navy Vessel to High-Speed Ferry

The Dublin Swift’s unique history

A fun fact is that the Dublin Swift was originally built as the WestPac Express for the United States Navy. It could carry 152 Humvees, and photos can even be found online of helicopters being driven on board. Nowadays, however, none of that is noticeable. It is truly a fast ferry with a luxurious finish.

Book easily online

The Dublin Swift offers the fastest crossing between the UK and Ireland. In our booking module, you can compare the prices of the Dublin Swift with other ferries operating on this route. The great thing is that it sometimes even turns out to be the cheapest option—while still saving you a significant amount of time! Consider the upgrade as well, because it’s definitely worth it.

Do keep in mind the weather conditions. The Dublin Swift is more likely to be taken out of service during storms than the other ships and is also a bit more sensitive to rough seas.

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