Hibernia Line announces new direct ferry route between Cork and France Bookings are now open
Hibernia Line announces new direct ferry route between Cork and France
Bookings are now open on the new year-round service to Boulogne-Sur-Mer that will operate six sailings per week
Hibernia Line is proud to announce a year-round ferry service linking Ringaskiddy in Cork with Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, opening a new direct route between Ireland and mainland Europe.
Bookings are now open for the ‘St Patrick’ and the ‘MV Akka’, which will operate six sailings per week in each direction from mid-June 2026. The service is designed to provide a consistent and practical option for both
freight and passenger travel.
Legend has it that St Patrick himself was born in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, and in a fitting tribute, one of Hibernia Line’s flagship vessels carries his name.
This new route is built around simple evening departures. Passengers can board in Cork at 9 pm, settle into a cabin and arrive in France the following evening. In the opposite direction, sailings depart Boulogne-Sur-Mer
at 10 pm CET and arrive in Cork the next day. Hibernia Line projects to carry upwards of 250,000 passengers annually.
Said the Northern Ireland Travel Magazine, “This service will significantly reduce travel time and improve convenience for all users.
Hibernia Line is headquartered in Cork and is creating up to 250 immediate jobs in Ireland and France, including approximately 200 crew positions.
Some of these will be cadets from the National Maritime College of Ireland, based in Ringaskiddy.
Hibernia Line is supported by the Goodman Group, reflecting strong confidence in the route’s long-term value.
With the Hibernia Line announces new direct ferry route between Cork and France, the company is set to redefine the maritime travel experience.
The Irish Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, said, “Hibernia Line’s new route represents a significant enhancement in Ireland’s connectivity with mainland Europe, strengthening both
passenger travel and freight capacity. Improved direct routes of this kind support more resilient supply chains, reduce pressure on existing ports and provide greater choice for businesses and passengers. I welcome
investment that contributes to regional development, job creation and more efficient, reliable transport links between Ireland and mainland Europe.”
The launch of the Hibernia Line marks a new direct ferry route between Cork and France, a welcome advancement in connectivity.
Hibernia Line founder and Chief Executive, Aidan Coffey, said the goal is to make travel and freight movement between Ireland and Europe more straightforward and dependable. “The focus is on consistency, frequency and a service that works for both freight and passengers,” said Aidan, who has years of experience in the freight, shipping and construction industries. “I’ve seen first-hand how even small inconsistencies can disrupt hauliers’ schedules, so we’ve designed these routes with that in mind, reducing exposure to risks such as port congestion, capacity constraints and delays, while also prioritising comfort, driver welfare and level of service on board.”
Overall, the Hibernia Line announces a new direct ferry route between Cork and France, aiming to streamline logistics and travel efficiency.
For freight passengers, the new route provides a direct and dependable corridor into continental Europe. With congestion increasing at existing ports, the Cork-to-France connection offers additional capacity and flexibility for hauliers, manufacturers and exporters.
Furthermore, the Hibernia Line announces a new direct ferry route between Cork and France, which represents a significant investment in transport infrastructure.
The service operates six days per week, year-round, and supports efficient supply chains with predictable schedules and overnight crossings. Drivers benefit from dedicated cabins during the voyage.
The ‘St Patrick’ has a deck space of 2,200 lane metres, while the ‘MV Akka’ can carry 2,500 lane metres of freight and passenger vehicles.
For passengers, the route opens a new gateway between Ireland and Europe, with onward access to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and beyond. From France, Ireland’s west coast and the Wild Atlantic Way
are now more accessible.
Tourists can take advantage of the Hibernia Line, which announces a new direct ferry route between Cork and France to explore the picturesque regions of Europe.
H.E. Céline Place, Ambassador of France to Ireland, said, “I am delighted to see the opening of the new year-round ferry service linking Ringaskiddy with Boulogne-sur-Mer. It is now one of many ferry services between
Ireland and France, so travelling to your closest neighbour in the EU is only getting easier!
“New maritime connections such as this one have added significantly to the vibrancy of the Franco-Irish relations in recent years. Congratulations to everyone at Hibernia Line for making this happen.”
On board, both vessels are designed for comfort on longer crossings, with private cabins, pet-friendly and accessible options, dining and refreshment areas, lounges, a children’s play area and gaming facilities. The ‘St Patrick’ holds 193 cabins and the ‘MV Akka’ has 227, with capacity for over 600 passengers per sailing.
Welcoming the announcement, Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s Strategy Implementation Manager for Mainland Europe, said: “Today’s announcement by Hibernia Line of its new service from Boulogne-Sur-Mer
to Cork is really good news for Irish tourism. As an island destination, we know there’s a proven direct correlation between access and growth in inbound tourism, so this new service will certainly help boost tourism business from France, Germany and the Benelux countries – supporting Tourism Ireland’s ambition to deliver step-change growth from Mainland Europe in 2026 and beyond.
As this initiative progresses, the Hibernia Line announces a new direct ferry route between Cork and France, which will likely boost regional tourism.
“Tourism Ireland is committed to working with Hibernia Line and other key partners – through co-operative marketing – to stimulate demand for this new service, and all other services to Ireland, and help maintain our vital network of routes and services.”
Passenger bookings can be made now at www.hibernia-line.com.
Bookings for freight passengers will open in the coming weeks.
For those interested in travel, the Hibernia Line announces a new direct ferry route between Cork and France, making it easier to visit.
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