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Irish Ferries MV Epsilon
Irish Ferries commences new direct Dublin to Cherbourg service
On Saturday, 18th January 2014, Irish Ferries will inaugurate its new direct weekend car ferry service between Dublin and the French port of Cherbourg. The new 19-hours service will be operated by the passenger car and freight ferry vessel Epsilon which the company acquired recently under a charter arrangement. Sailings will depart from the Ferryport terminal in Dublin at 15.30 hrs on Saturday and will arrive in Cherbourg at 11.30hrs on Sunday morning. It will return to Dublin later that day, departing Cherbourg at 17.00hrs arriving back in Ireland on Monday morning. Third Route Option The introduction of the new Dublin to Cherbourg service gives holidaymakers travelling into and out of Ireland a third route option, augmenting, as it does, the company’s services from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Rosslare to Roscoff. Timed to arrive in Cherbourg early enough to facilitate easy onward travel to campsites and holiday centres throughout France, the new service is expected to prove popular with families and hauliers alike. On board Epsilon, the once-weekly, year round service will offer a more limited range of cabins and passenger attractions when compared with those on board the company’s cruise ferry Oscar Wilde which will continue to service routes from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff as before. Bringing access to European motorways into the heart of Dublin city, the new service will extend the appeal of a motoring holiday in France to an even wider market. For those living in the northern half of the country, it eliminates driving to Rosslare and cuts the motoring time and cost involved.
MV Epsilon Built in 2011, the Epsilon has capacity for 500 passengers. Modest facilities on board include a bar, cafeteria, self-service restaurant, 68 two and four berth cabins all with TV, free wi-fi service and 2,860 lane metres of vehicle deck parking space. Commenting Irish Ferries head of passenger sales, Dermot Merrigan said ‘our new Dublin to Cherbourg direct service will appeal to those living within and beyond our capital city. Fast access straight through the city or from the Dublin Port Tunnel ensures that our new Ireland – France service will be more accessible to all.’ Fares and offers for this new Dublin to Cherbourg service can be viewed on the Irish Ferries website www.irishferries.com. When not operating on the Dublin to Cherbourg service, Epsilon will sail between Dublin and Holyhead increasing Irish Ferries services on the route to a maximum of twelve sailings each day. IRISH FERRIES – HISTORY RECORDED IN NEW BOOK Irish Ferries and the story of its involvement in the development of passenger and freight ferry services between Ireland, UK and Continental Europe is the subject of a new book entitled ‘Irish Ferries – An Ambitious Voyage’ being distributed by Easons and sold through bookshops around Ireland. Written by noted marine historians Miles Cowsill and Justin Merrigan - and published by specialist Isle of Man publishers Ferry Publications - the 150-page hard-back production traces the path that the Irish Ferries organisation has taken from its very earliest days operating services on the Irish Sea between Ireland and Britain under the B&I Line flag. Detailed and comprehensive, the book goes on to chronicle the development of direct ferry services between Ireland and France and the role played by Irish Continental Line before that company and B&I line came together in the early-1990s to form the enlarged enterprise known today as Irish Ferries. Covered in some detail is the ship building and modernisation programme carried out by the company which resulted in the commissioning of four new vessels for the company’s Dublin – Holyhead and Rosslare – Pembroke routes, including the cruise ferry ‘Ulysses’ which, at the time of its launch, was the world’s largest car ferry. Amply illustrated with pictures drawn from various private and company archives, the book is one that will appeal to all involved in shipping and maritime history.
DHL Express awarded “Best in International Logistics”
DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, was awarded “Best in International Logistics” for a second consecutive year, by Chambers Ireland and InBusiness magazine, at the InBusiness Editor’s Choice Awards 2013. DHL Express received the award in recognition of its ongoing commitment to service excellence and in particular its investment and focus in staff, through its ‘Certified International Specialist Program’. Hosted by Chambers Ireland, Ireland's largest business organisation, and Ashville Media, publishers of InBusiness magazine, DHL Express, along with 21 other award winners, was selected by the editorial team of InBusiness on the broad criteria of growth, profile of business, range of services offered and customer services. “It gives me great pleasure to accept this award on behalf of all the team in DHL Express Ireland”, said Mike Farrell, Operations Director, DHL Express Ireland. “2013 has been a tremendous year for DHL Express Ireland, in which we have focused strongly on training and motivating our people through our ‘Certified International Specialist Program’ while continuing to reach new heights in providing great service quality to all our customers.” Farrell added “What a way to end the year but to receive such a prestigious award that recognises the efforts of the entire team.” Joseph O’Connor, Editor, InBusiness Magazine, said: “Despite some stiff competition from other recognised companies in the field, this is the second consecutive year that DHL Express has won an InBusiness Editor’s Choice Award for Best in International Logistics. For me they are worthy winners, having demonstrated in 2013 their ongoing commitment to service excellence though their continuous investment in their staff, while never losing sight on growth, thus further increasing their market share.” He added: Although Ireland's export performance has been somewhat subdued in 2013, DHL Express continues to work hard to make Ireland the ideal base for companies who export to their customers. Coupled with this, they offer great support to firms taking their first steps into the export marketplace which is something certainly worthy of recognition.” IRISH TRUCKER & LIGHT COMMERCIALS
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