Ferry Disruptions Impact Welsh Rugby Fans Returning from Ireland
Several ferry sailings between Dublin and Holyhead have been cancelled or delayed due to "technical" problems, impacting Welsh rugby supporters traveling back after Wales' Six Nations defeat to Ireland over the weekend.
Stena Line attributed the disruption on Sunday to a
"technical issue"involving a vessel at Holyhead, Anglesey.
Irish Ferries reported that its Ulysses sailing was unable to berth at Holyhead at 11:00 GMT due to
"extraordinary reasons", though no further details were provided. Subsequent sailings were also affected by the issue.
Passengers have been advised to verify sailing times before travelling. Currently, a Stena service is scheduled to depart Dublin for Holyhead at 22:30 GMT.
Background on Holyhead Port Repairs
The UK's second busiest passenger port fully reopened in July 2025 after completing repairs to two berths damaged by Storm Darragh, which struck the country in December 2024.
The port was closed for five weeks, including the Christmas and New Year period, while engineers repaired one of the damaged berths. It partially reopened in January 2025 with services operating on a revised timetable.
The second berth required seven months to repair. The closures had a significant economic impact, with an estimated £500 million in lost trade.
Holyhead handles over 1.5 million passengers annually, making it the busiest sea route between the UK mainland and the Republic of Ireland.
Significance of Holyhead Port
The crossing between Holyhead and Dublin covers just over 100 miles (161 km) and takes approximately three hours and 15 minutes, making it the fastest route between north Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Annually, more than 400,000 lorries and 400,000 cars use the port. Holyhead is the UK's second busiest passenger ferry port after Dover.
It serves as Wales' largest international transport hub, with nearly twice the number of annual passengers compared to Wales' only major airport in Cardiff.
