Firstly,apologies if this should be in another section or has been discussed before. 1:Is a U.K passport necessary to gain admittance to the Republic of Ireland from U.K via ferry from Holyhead. If not,what other forms of identification are acceptable? 2:The journeys I wish to make are Dublin to Midleton & return;and Dublin to Antrim & return;both as day returns. Is there a 2-day rail rover which would cover these trips or should I purchase day returns? I also wish to spend a few hours (maybe a day) in Dublin doing the line between M3 Parkway & Docklands as well as the LUAS network. Is there a ticket which covers this or,again,should I purchase singles/returns? Many thanks in advance for helpful answers.
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A few Irish questions
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MidnightFlyer
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In order:
Nope, you don't need a passport, just take your ticket and that should suffice, but have photo ID on you just in case;
There are no rovers that cover the island of Ireland. Try in advance online to see if there are any cheap fares for Dublin-Midleton / Enterprise to Befast, if not then pay on the day it may have to be;
For Dublin, there's the DART Rambler for all heavy rail services in Co. Dublin, at €9.20 (so an on the day Docklands-M3 Parkway will be cheaper), and a Luas Flexi is €6.40 for all day unlimited on there.
Nope, you don't need a passport, just take your ticket and that should suffice, but have photo ID on you just in case;
There are no rovers that cover the island of Ireland. Try in advance online to see if there are any cheap fares for Dublin-Midleton / Enterprise to Befast, if not then pay on the day it may have to be;
For Dublin, there's the DART Rambler for all heavy rail services in Co. Dublin, at €9.20 (so an on the day Docklands-M3 Parkway will be cheaper), and a Luas Flexi is €6.40 for all day unlimited on there.
RE: Photo ID;Would a 16-25 railcard be acceptable? I'm not 16-25 but I'm a mature student. I don't possess a driving license so if a railcard is unacceptable then I'll have to do some thinking. Last time I went (back in 1998) there was a ticket called an Emerald Card which covered ALL Ireland. Having said that,I don't think there was a 2 day option & it was 15 years ago so maybe it's been withdrawn. Anyway,Thank You for the advice.
CallySleeper
Established Member
You don't need it to get in but since you're on foreign soil I would still take some ID anyway.
If you're returning back to Holyhead on the boat then you will need some form of national ID as you will get stopped.
If you're returning back to Holyhead on the boat then you will need some form of national ID as you will get stopped.
MidnightFlyer
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When I went over in July I wasn't asked for ID, the ticket sufficed, but then I was a foot passenger so I'm not sure what the procedure is if you're in a car. I doubt a railcard would suffice but if you are concerned you'd be best getting in touch with the ferry company (I should add at this point, I used P&O; if you're on the other company ex-Holyhead, Irish Ferries I think they are called, it might be different altogether).
The Emerald Card was withdrawn back in 2008 as far as I know.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Really? I wasn't on P&O back in July...
CallySleeper
Established Member
Sure it was P&O in Holyhead? I've never known them to sail there.
Anyway, any time I've been through Holyhead police have been doing immigration checks.
Eire Sprinter
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On the ID aspect here is what Stena Line and Irish Ferries say.
If travelling Holyhead-Dublin as a foot passenger a saving could be made by buying a through ticket from your origin station to Cork (Midleton doesn't seem to be on the SailRail booking system).
Downside of this is it would be necessary to continue to Cork immediately after arriving in Dublin. The connecting buses from both the Stena Line and Irish Ferries arrivals at Dublin Ferryport now continue to Heuston station.
Probably not of much use for intended journeys but for reference there's a Gathering ticket available for €99 allowing unlimited Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) & Bus Éireann travel in the Republic. There's a Trekker ticket available for €110 allowing unlimited rail travel in the Republic for four consecutive days. There's also an Explorer ticket, the most expensive of all. Full details here.
A 1-day short hop zone suburban rail and bus ticket (Dublin Bus only) costs €12.
A 1-day LUAS & Dublin Bus ticket costs €8.10.
Hope you have an enjoyable trip here.
PS: timetable of connecting express bus from Dublin Ferryport Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries). This bus is actually a Dublin Bus vehicle on contract to Irish Ferries. The bus sometimes displays route number 53B.
timetable of scheduled Dublin Bus route 53 from Dublin Ferryport Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries).
If travelling Holyhead-Dublin as a foot passenger a saving could be made by buying a through ticket from your origin station to Cork (Midleton doesn't seem to be on the SailRail booking system).
Downside of this is it would be necessary to continue to Cork immediately after arriving in Dublin. The connecting buses from both the Stena Line and Irish Ferries arrivals at Dublin Ferryport now continue to Heuston station.
Probably not of much use for intended journeys but for reference there's a Gathering ticket available for €99 allowing unlimited Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) & Bus Éireann travel in the Republic. There's a Trekker ticket available for €110 allowing unlimited rail travel in the Republic for four consecutive days. There's also an Explorer ticket, the most expensive of all. Full details here.
A 1-day short hop zone suburban rail and bus ticket (Dublin Bus only) costs €12.
A 1-day LUAS & Dublin Bus ticket costs €8.10.
Hope you have an enjoyable trip here.
PS: timetable of connecting express bus from Dublin Ferryport Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries). This bus is actually a Dublin Bus vehicle on contract to Irish Ferries. The bus sometimes displays route number 53B.
timetable of scheduled Dublin Bus route 53 from Dublin Ferryport Terminal 1 (Irish Ferries).
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MidnightFlyer
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Ah, it was StenaLine, sorry (all the same to me
) When I arrived back at Holyhead ex-Dun Laoghaire as a foot passenger there were no checks of any sort: straight off the ferry, onto the bridge, down through the concourse and first at the booking office window 
Neither do I but I do have a driving licence. [Sorry I couldn't help it]. Back on track. Apart from the first time travelling from Stranraer to Larne with SeaLink (yes it was that long ago) when I was pulled by D&G Special Branch I have only ever been asked once for ID. This was at Holyhead. I presented my licence and was allowed to proceed with no worries. I did ask the police officer on duty what was an acceptable form of ID for UK/Ireland travel and he replied any government issued (or authorised) ID e.g. but not limited to a passport, driving licence with photocard, or national entitlement card. Also included was formal ID such as your work ID or that issued by a recognised college or university.
He did say that they prefer the photo to be an integral part of the card i.e not one that you just attach yourself & cover with plastic.
I am not saying this as gospel but I have no reason to doubt the officer. Once again I have only ever been asked for ID twice in well over 20 years of crossing the Irish Sea (over the northern, central, & southern routes).
hurricanemk1c
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When I travelled as a foot passenger in July on Irish Ferries, I carried my birth cert as a form of ID. Wasn't checked on the UK side but was on the Irish side, so worth having some sort of approved ID
Arglwydd Golau
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I do see more and more people using passports at Holyhead now....and your document is actually scrutinised by a police officer. A few years ago I got through on my FR/WHR residents railcard (with a photo ID) - received a funny look but don't think I'd try it now.
Con
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The Republic of Ireland is in a unique position via a vis the United Kingdom - though not in the Commonwealth, under the Ireland Act 1949 it is not foreign to the UK nor are its citizens. The Common Travel Area exists for that reason, and for the fact that the border between the two parts of Ireland goes through fields and streams and hundreds of back roads, and was impossible to seal off fully at the height of the Troubles. Also imposing passport control between the island of Ireland and Britain would discriminate against Northern Ireland British citizens.
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