Great writers help port toward million traveller mark

Great Irish writers are putting ferry travel back on the crest of a wave, it emerged today.

New figures show that six ferry companies have already carried more than one million passengers through Dublin Port so far this year – with the number set to rise in the coming months.

The turnaround in fortunes comes after several years of decline in sea travel, but now a major advertising campaign by Dublin Port Company tapping into Dublin’s literary past is being credited with helping turn the tide.

Famous quotes and images from Behan, Joyce, O'Casey, Shaw, Wilde and Yeats are being used around the capital to show Dubliners how art, literature and sea travel have successfully combined.

The campaign, which runs until April 2008, celebrates the rich heritage of ferry travel of the great Irish writers who all left our shores.

Irish Ferries, Stena Line, Norfolkline, P&O Irish Sea, Celtic Link Ferries and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company are currently operating 17 ferry sailings daily from Dublin Port travelling to Liverpool, Birkenhead, Holyhead and the Isle of Man.

Dublin Port Company has said that in the first nine months of the year 958,000 travellers used the port, a 4% increase on the same period last year.

In 2006, ferry passenger numbers only marginally decreased by just 0.8%, compared to 14.2% in 2005.

“Dublin Port Company remains committed to supporting this industry and this year has invested significantly in promoting ferry travel,” said Michael Sheary, chief financial officer.