Irish fans in France vote to ‘remain in Europe’

Tens of thousands of Irish fans have voted. — they are ‘remaining in Europe’. The rest of us are figuring out how to get there.

We all hoped it would come to this and, now that it has, football fans who didn’t make it to France for the group stages will beg, borrow and steal to get over to see Ireland take on the host nation this Sunday.

One thing we know for certain, it won’t be easy. It certainly won’t be cheap.

Credit unions all around the country were fielding calls from early morning yesterday as fans look for a dig-out to get them over to the game. An Irish League of Credit Unions (ICLU) spokeswoman said she expected this to continue throughout yesterday and into today.

Direct Aer Lingus flights from Dublin to Lyon and to Montpellier are sold out.

However, Ryanair put on six special flights from Dublin to Lyon yesterday. They depart on Saturday at 8.10am and 1.20pm and on Sunday at 5.55am. They return at 9.25pm on Sunday and 00.30am and 12pm on Sunday. Prices were starting at just over €260 each way — and, perhaps in honour of Thierry Henry, it’s hand luggage only.

However, other options also exist if you’re willing to go around the houses a bit.

Aer Lingus fly to a number of other cities where you can drive or train it to Lyon. For example flights to Geneva were coming in at around €420 one way this weekend, with return flights in the same ballpark. The city is about two hours from Lyon by car or train.

Multiple airlines fly to Paris from Dublin. However, none are offering any deals to get there.

Travel agents are also an option for fans. FAI’s travel partner Abbey Travel has a day-trip package including flights, tax and transfers from €739 per person.

Club Travel has a day-trip at the same price, while Stein Travel and Killester Travel are also expected to announce packages.

None of the packages come with match tickets.

The only direct sailing with Stena Line from Rosslare to Cherbourg departed yesterday.

An alternative route to France is via Stena Line’s Landbridge product which is available on all routes from Ireland (Dublin, Rosslare, Belfast) to Britain, with onward travel from Britain to Europe included in the price. However, fans face a lengthy drive after arriving on the French coast.