The two IOMSPC round-trip sailings from Douglas to Dublin and back, due to be operated by the Ben-My-Chree are as follows
Sat 19th Dec dept Douglas 1930, arrive Dublin Ferryport 0015
Sun 20th Dec dept Dublin 0100, arrive Douglas 0545
Sun 27th Dec dept Douglas 1930, arrive Dublin Ferryport 0015
Mon 28th Dec dept Dublin 0100, arrive Douglas 0545
An ideal breakaway from the festivities is to go around the triangle so to speak and take the ferry Dublin to Douglas, then onwards to Britain e.g. on Sun 20th Dec 0800 Douglas to Birkenhead; Mon 28th 0845 Douglas to Heysham, thence onwards by rail to Holyhead and ferry back to Dublin. The journey could be done in the reverse direction. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea but having done it in the past I found it a pleasant trip away.
If going to the Ferryport for the 0100 sailing, the last bus from Busáras (Gate 15) is 2000, which connects with the Ulysses sailing to Holyhead at 2055. The ferryport remains open and is safe and warm with vending machines, if you are booking a ticket on spec the IOMSPC ticket desk usually opens two hours prior to sailing (i.e. 2300). Taxi or private car is an option for later arrival but I don't recommend to anyone to walk there.
Hopefully this idea may be of interest to someone, if I can be of help in terms of guidance please get in touch. Also it will be cheaper to buy a SailRail ticket from e.g. Heysham back to Dublin (via Holyhead) than buy rail and ferry tickets separately. These can be bought from Irish Rail at certain key stations or by 'phone through calling Irish Rail Abbey St.
Sat 19th Dec dept Douglas 1930, arrive Dublin Ferryport 0015
Sun 20th Dec dept Dublin 0100, arrive Douglas 0545
Sun 27th Dec dept Douglas 1930, arrive Dublin Ferryport 0015
Mon 28th Dec dept Dublin 0100, arrive Douglas 0545
An ideal breakaway from the festivities is to go around the triangle so to speak and take the ferry Dublin to Douglas, then onwards to Britain e.g. on Sun 20th Dec 0800 Douglas to Birkenhead; Mon 28th 0845 Douglas to Heysham, thence onwards by rail to Holyhead and ferry back to Dublin. The journey could be done in the reverse direction. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea but having done it in the past I found it a pleasant trip away.
If going to the Ferryport for the 0100 sailing, the last bus from Busáras (Gate 15) is 2000, which connects with the Ulysses sailing to Holyhead at 2055. The ferryport remains open and is safe and warm with vending machines, if you are booking a ticket on spec the IOMSPC ticket desk usually opens two hours prior to sailing (i.e. 2300). Taxi or private car is an option for later arrival but I don't recommend to anyone to walk there.
Hopefully this idea may be of interest to someone, if I can be of help in terms of guidance please get in touch. Also it will be cheaper to buy a SailRail ticket from e.g. Heysham back to Dublin (via Holyhead) than buy rail and ferry tickets separately. These can be bought from Irish Rail at certain key stations or by 'phone through calling Irish Rail Abbey St.
