A Swift Exit.

Irish Continental Group has today announced further changes to their Irish Sea services.

Following the announcement earlier this month that they’ll be building a new larger cruise ferry for their Holyhead to Dublin service, the owners of Irish Ferries announced it has sold their fast craft, Jonathan Swift.

The fast ferry Jonathan Swift also known as the ‘Dublin Swift’ has been sold to Spanish operator Balearia Eurolineas Maritimas, and will take up service for them later this year.

The fast craft commissioned by Irish Continental Group in 1997, and delivered in 1999 after a 26-day voyage from Australia at a cost of €29 million, has operated on the companies popular Holyhead to Dublin route since.

Jonathan Swift on a crossing from Holyhead-Dublin.

The deal worth €15.5 million – including broker fees and a 10% deposit, will be paid once the vessel has been delivered. Irish Continental Group says it will benefit by €14 million as a result of the deal.

There had been speculation on ferry enthusiast groups for some time, as to whether the ‘Swift’ would be replaced, after Irish Continental Group purchased the larger Austal built ship, ‘Westpac Express’ in 2016.

The high speed craft, which was built in 2001 and sold to the US Marine Corp, is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment programme at Harland and Wolff in Belfast.

Westpac Express at Harland & Wolff. ©Oisin Roantree

Further changes to Irish Ferries central corridor operations were announced earlier this month, including the building of a new cruise ferry costing €165 million and to be delivered in mid-2020.

The new ship will be able to transport over 1,800 passengers and crew across the Irish Sea, and will become the worlds largest cruise ferry in terms of vehicle carrying capacity – able to carry 1,500 cars or 300 trucks.

It will take on the schedule currently operated by MV Ulysses. And Ulysses will then move to replace the MV Epsilon on her current schedule.

Artist impression of Irish Ferries new build.