Foyle Ferry back in early July

The ferry service between Magilligan and Greencastle is expected to resume in early July.
The ferry service between Magilligan and Greencastle is expected to resume in early July, according to Frazer Ferries.The ferry service between Magilligan and Greencastle is expected to resume in early July, according to Frazer Ferries.
The ferry service between Magilligan and Greencastle is expected to resume in early July, according to Frazer Ferries.

Limerick-based Frazer Ferries confirmed the news to the ‘Journal’ and said the reason they haven’t resumed service yet is to complete additional work on the vessel.

Managing Director, Paul O’Sullivan said: “We are keen to get going and we want to be able to provide a consistent and safe service, a reliable service and one we can be proud of.”

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The service, which had previously been part-funded by the Donegal County Council and the former Limavady Council, had been operating since 2002.

The former operator, Foyle Ferry Company Ltd, stopped the service last November and did not renew the contract for the summer season and Frazer Ferries bought the vessel.

“We had the choice of either going straight back into service and hoping for the best and having a reasonable prospect of being able to deliver a quality of service we want or, deciding to take another few weeks out and spending more money and improving the vessel further, and that’s what we ultimately decided to do,” said Mr. O’Sullivan.

He believes the service can provide a vital link between the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal to the Causeway Coast, the Giant’s Causeway and Glens of Antrim route.

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“We see the ferry as having a great future and we think by developing that and providing a more continual service, at a little bit of a lower price point, that it has a lot of potential,” said Mr O’Suillivan.

“We wouldn’t have taken it on if we didn’t feel it had lots of potential.”

Mr. O’Sullivan added: “We are dependent on how quickly the work can be done but, as it stands, at the moment we are hoping for the very early part of July.

“It’s unfortunate we are not getting a full season out of it, but we are pleased to be able to offer it for the two months that are the busiest of the year.”

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