| Shannon Ferry Group | |
| Type: | Limited Company |
| Foundation: | 1969 |
| Location: | Killimer, Ireland |
| Area Served: | River Shannon |
| Industry: | Passenger transportation Vehicles transportation |
| Homepage: | www.shannonferries.com |
Shannon Ferry Group (also known as Shannon Ferries) is an Irish private company that operates a ro-ro ferry crossing of the Shannon Estuary between counties Clare and Kerry. The company is based in Killimer County Clare, with the service operating between Killimer and Tarbert County Kerry. It currently operates two ro-ro ferries, Shannon Dolphin and Shannon Breeze. It is the longest domestic ferry service in Ireland.[1]
The crossing takes about 20 minutes and departures are hourly all year round except Christmas Day, with the frequency doubled in summer.[2] There are toilets on the Tarbert side, and a gift shop, cafe and toilets on the Killimer side.[3]
Before the introduction of the service the quickest way to travel between the two locations was via Limerick city, a 137km (85miles) journey.[1] The service therefore saves hours on the travel time between Kerry and West Clare. It is a popular tourist route as it is the fastest route between the popular tourist destinations of Kerry (i.e. Dingle, Killarney) and north to Clare (i.e. The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren) and Galway (i.e. Galway City, Connemara). The River Shannon is the largest and deepest river in the British Isles, so a bridge would be difficult and costly to build.
The service was inaugurated in 1969, with six families based on both sides of the crossing investing to create the company.[4] Vehicle traffic has increased since the promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way tourist route along west Ireland, which the crossing forms part of.[5]
Shannon Ferry Group has had four ferries in its history. The service is currently provided by Shannon Dolphin and Shannon Breeze.[6]
| Name | Years | Builder | Cars | Pax | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Heather | 1969-1997 | Dartmouth | 30 | 250 | Sold to Passage East Ferries | |
| Shannon Willow | 1979-2003 | Scott & Sons, Bowling[7] | 44 | 300 | Sold to Lough Foyle Ferries | |
| Shannon Dolphin | 1995–present | Appledore Shipbuilders[8] | 52 | 350 | Commissioned and built in Appledore, England[9] | |
| Shannon Breeze | 2000–present | Appledore Shipbuilders[10] | 60 | 350 | Commissioned and built in Appledore, England |