The Irish Sea separates Great Britain and the island of Ireland. The sea has been a significant trade and communications barrier between the two islands for centuries as there is no fixed crossing across it. In 2013, 7.6 megatons of trade was handled between British and Irish ports, and ferry crossings remain the most important link for heavy goods vehicles. Ferry services have continued to be significant, and 3.6 million passengers use these annually.[1]
The main operators across the Irish Sea are P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, Stena Line and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. [2]
| Image | East side | West side | Operator | Year opened | Year closed | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardrossan | Larne | P&O Irish Sea (until 2001) | 2001 | Moved to Troon | |||
| Troon | Larne | P&O Ferries (2001-2016) Seacat Scotland (1999-2004) | 1999 | 2016[3] | |||
| Cairnryan | Belfast | Stena Line | 2011 | ||||
| Cairnryan | Larne | P&O Ferries | 1973 | ||||
| Stranraer | Belfast | Stena Line (1995-2011) Seacat Scotland (1992-2000) | 1992 | 2011[4] | |||
| Stranraer | Larne | Stena Line | 1861[5] | 1995 | |||
| Heysham | Belfast | Stena Line | |||||
| Heysham | Warrenpoint | Seatruck Ferries | 1996 | ||||
| Heysham | Dublin | Seatruck Ferries | |||||
| Liverpool | Dublin | P&O Ferries Seatruck Ferries | |||||
| Birkenhead | Belfast | Stena Line | 2002[6] | ||||
| Mostyn | Dublin | P&O Irish Sea | 2001 | 2004 | |||
| Holyhead | Dublin | Irish Ferries Stena Line (1995-present) | 1848[7] | ||||
| Holyhead | Dún Laoghaire | Stena Line | 1848[8] | 2014 | |||
| Fishguard | Rosslare | Stena Line | |||||
| Pembroke Dock | Rosslare | Irish Ferries | |||||
| Liverpool Pier Head | Dublin/Belfast/Douglas | Isle of Man Steam Packet |