Cork ferry embarks on new life as floating hotel

It is a rather ignominious end for the ferry once billed as one of the jewels in Cork tourism industry.

The MV Julia will sail out of Cork tomorrow to embark on a new life — a floating dormitory for workers building and servicing offshore wind turbines in the North Sea.

It is the final chapter in the short and troubled life of the Fastnet Line, which was set up by West Cork Tourism Co-operative.