Cross-border Foyle Ferry service back in operation

On the Foyle ferry service on Wednesday on the first sailing of the season were promoters John Driscoll, Aidan Hume, Peter Hayes and Paul O'Sullivan.

The ferry carried its first passengers on its first sailing at 8am on Wednesday,

Frazer Ferries Managing Director, Paul O’Sullivan, said the service will operate a continuous shuttle service between 8am and 8pm from now until Saturday. Mr O’Sullivan said the hours will be extended from 7am until 10pm from Saturday.

“We’re thrilled,” said Mr. O’Sullivan. “We’re very optimistic about the service, and we’re very keen to promote the linkage between the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast.”

The first car on the ferry on Wednesday.

The service, which had previously been part-funded by the Donegal County Council and the former Limavady Council, had been operating since 2002.

The former operator, Foyle Ferry Company Ltd, stopped the service last November and did not renew the contract for the summer season and Limerick-based Frazer Ferries bought the vessel.

Mr. O’Sullivan believes the service can provide a vital link between the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal to the Causeway Coast, the Giant’s Causeway and Glens of Antrim route.

“We see the ferry as having a great future and we think by developing that and providing a more continual service, at a little bit of a lower price point, that it has a lot of potential,” said Mr O’Suillivan.

“We wouldn’t have taken it on if we didn’t feel it had lots of potential.”