The aftermath of Storm Darragh is still being felt
A warning is in place for travellers visiting Dublin as the aftermath of Storm Darragh is still being felt. The Foreign Office has advised that disruption to ferry services will be a problem into next year.
On the warnings and insurance page of foreign travel advice for Ireland, it states: “The Port of Holyhead in Wales will be closed until at least 15 January 2025 due to damage inflicted by Storm Darragh. All ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead are currently cancelled. Check with your travel operator for further information and alternative routes.”
Stena Line has issued updates for travellers on their website. They advise that all ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin are cancelled at this moment. The ferry operator stated: “We are currently in the process of contacting all affected passengers. We understand the disruption this causes and are working hard to offer alternative travel options.”
For passengers who were booked to travel on Holyhead – Dublin from December 20 onwards, you can transfer your booking free of charge and with no fare difference payable to alternative routes including:
- Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Dublin: motorist bookings only on this route
- Fishguard to Dublin Fishguard to Rosslare
- Cairnryan to Belfast
- Birkenhead (Liverpool) to Belfast
Northern Ireland was hit hard by Storm Darragh as it swept across the UK. More than 45,000 Irish households were without power. Bus service, flights and ferries were also affected.
Irish premier Simon Harris expressed growing worry about the port’s condition on Monday, noting the increasing “seriousness” of the situation as time goes on. He said: “I think it’s highly unlikely now that we will see Holyhead port functioning in any real way this side of Christmas and of course, that is a serious concern to both people who’ve bought goods and presents and gifts that they’re hoping will arrive, and also people that are understandably trying to get home for the Christmas period,” he stated during a visit to Dun Laoghaire.
Further advise issued to passengers includes “customers can amend or cancel (with full refund) their bookings online for free at stenaline.co.uk or stenaline.ie. Alternatively you can call from the UK on: 00443447707070 or from ROI on: 0035319075555.