Ferry from Heysham to Ireland

Searching for a ferry from Heysham to Ireland? While Heysham is an active ferry port in northwest England, it’s important to note that any direct sailings to Ireland are for freight only.

No passenger services currently operate between Heysham and any Irish port.

However, there are a few practical alternatives, depending on your preferences and time of year.

One seasonal option is to travel from Heysham to Douglas on the Isle of Man. This route is operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and is open to both foot passengers and vehicles. Once in Douglas, you can catch a connecting ferry either to Belfast or to Dublin. Please note that the Douglas to Belfast and Douglas to Dublin sailings are seasonal and do not operate year-round, so it’s important to check the schedule before planning this route.

For a year-round travel option, we recommend driving from Heysham to Liverpool, which takes around 1.5 hours. From the Birkenhead terminal in Liverpool, you can take the ferry to Belfast, operated by Stena Line. This route runs twice daily and is available to both foot passengers and vehicles.

Alternatively, you can drive from Heysham to Holyhead in North Wales, a journey of around 3.5 hours. From Holyhead, both Irish Ferries and Stena Line offer frequent sailings to Dublin, with comfortable onboard services and multiple departures each day.

So, while a Heysham to Ireland ferry isn’t available to passengers directly, these alternative routes ensure you can still complete your journey efficiently.

Once you arrive, visit our Ireland destination guide for top travel tips, attractions, and local insights to help you make the most of your time in Ireland.