Cross-border ferry suspension 'a loss' for tourism
The suspension of the Carlingford Lough ferry service is expected to cause a significant setback for tourism in the border regions, according to local business owners. The ferry operates a cross-border route carrying foot passengers and vehicles between the villages of Greencastle in County Down and Greenore in County Louth.
The service, which began nearly ten years ago, recently announced via a brief notice on its website that it will not operate on any day in 2026.
Eavan Brady, owner of a cafe in Greenore, expressed concern about the wider impact, stating that the "whole Cooley peninsula will suffer as a result". Despite this, she remains optimistic that the ferry service might be reinstated in the future.
'Won't be as much footfall'
The ferry operators have not provided a reason for the suspension, which typically runs from late spring through October each year. However, their website noted that the expiry dates of outstanding 2026 tickets will be extended so they can be used when the ferry resumes service.
Brady, who runs the Coast and Co cafe, described the suspension as a setback for businesses on both sides of the border during the peak summer season.
"At the moment it means that there won't be as much footfall in the area," she told the BBC's Evening Extra programme.
"Not just in Greenore but in Cooley; in Carlingford; in Omeath; in all of the outlying areas and the same on the other side of the lough - in Cranfield; Newcastle; Kilkeel; Rostrevor."
She added that the suspension could result in fewer summer jobs for young students, as businesses like hers typically hire extra staff to serve ferry passengers.
"Visitors would have come in - either getting off the ferry or going to get the ferry - maybe for a takeaway coffee, a sandwich, scone, whatever," she explained.
Brady also noted that many passengers explored Greenore village who might not have visited otherwise, as the ferry brought them directly to the area.
'One of the jewels of the crown'
Richard Lewis, who operates a bicycle hire business in Carlingford, described the ferry suspension as "a loss because it was such a great asset" for tourism.
"It's just one of the jewels of the crown of Carlingford Lough and the Cooley peninsula and over the Mournes," he said.
The ferry crossing typically took 15 to 20 minutes and offered a significant shortcut by bypassing a road journey of approximately 30 miles (48km) around the city of Newry.
"It cut down the journey significantly if you were coming from, say, Newcastle or Kilkeel... now you've got to go all round the lough," Lewis explained.
"So I think that can take - including getting through Newry - it could take 90 minutes, whereas reliably you could get from one point to the other in 30."
A new road bridge connecting Warrenpoint in County Down to Omeath in County Louth is under construction and expected to reduce journey times. However, the Narrow Water Bridge is not anticipated to open until late 2027.
'A tourism attraction in its own right'
Diane Forsythe, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) representative, described the ferry suspension for the remainder of 2026 as a "major blow to south Down tourism."
"The Carlingford Ferry was far more than simply a crossing service," she said in a statement issued last week.
"It became a tourism attraction in its own right and helped showcase Carlingford Lough to thousands of visitors."
Forsythe, the South Down assembly member, stated that she had raised concerns for some time regarding the limited support provided to the ferry by tourism organizations.
She indicated that she had discussed the issue with officials from Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland, and Stormont's Department for the Economy three months prior.
"I was disappointed by the lack of urgency shown towards the ferry as an important tourism asset," Forsythe said.
"With the progression of the Narrow Water Bridge project, it increasingly feels as though the ferry has been disregarded. I believe there is room for both."
Brady noted that businesses like hers would need to adapt and seek alternative methods to attract visitors to their area.
"I would be hopeful that it will come back again, particularly when they are saying that the tickets will... the expiry date is going to be extended," she said.
"That would give a little glimmer of hope."
