Brittany Ferries Celebrates its Silver Anniversary in 2003

25 Years of expertise makes Brittany Ferries the number one choice from discerning Irich holidaymakers travelling to France

Brittany Ferries knows France and with 25 years sailing from Ireland to Roscoff they know what Irish holidaymakers need to make their ferry experience second to none.   Not only are passengers pampered on their journey by a seasoned French staff, but the crossing from Cork to Roscoff is shorter and faster than any other sailing from Ireland to France, which is set to get even shorter in the future.  And Brittany Ferries also offer a full range of flexible holiday options, which offer unbeatable value for money.

As Brittany Ferries prepares to celebrate 25 years sailing out of Ireland, Mr Hugh Bruton, Brittany Ferries' Irish Operations Manager, remarked on the company's humble beginnings and its plans for the future.  "We started sailing out of Cork in 1978 on the Armorique with just 700 passengers and 160 cars on board.  Today, the luxurious Val de Loire carries 2,000+ passengers and 570 cars on its journey from Cork harbour directly to Roscoff in the heart of Brittany.  And next year we will be unveiling the most state-of-the-art ship in our fleet, the €165 million Pont Aven, which will be used on our Irish crossings."   The 2003 season will commence on Saturday afternoon 5 April and run until Saturday 27 September, leaving Cork every Saturday and returning from Roscoff every Friday night. 

Cork-Roscoff offers holiday-makers the shortest, fastest direct route from Ireland to France. The 14-hour overnight crossing on the award winning 5-Star Val de Loire where passengers can avail of restaurants, a cafeteria, bars and lounges, shops, childrens' playrooms, cinemas, a even a swimming pool.  The short journey ends in Roscoff, a gateway port to the holiday regions of France and Spain; Brittany, Normandy, the Loire, Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine and the north of Spain.  From there passengers can enjoy Brittany Ferries' wide range of complete holiday products including holiday villages, sea-side apartments, rural gites and hotels. 

Travellers can request Brittany Ferries brochures, the French Collection and Ferry Guide Ireland-France, to help them decide when and where they'd like to visit.  Details include hundreds of places to stay ranging from holiday villages, coastal apartments, holidays homes and gites located in the most picturesque regions of France.  Not only will you find perfect locations and comfortable accommodation, but excellent value for money as well. 

If Brittany Ferries direct services from Cork are booked out on certain dates there is the great value Landbridge option via Stena Line and Irish Ferries to the UK and then sailing out of one of Brittany Ferries' three ports in the south coast of England direct to Brittany, Normandy and Spain. 

"France is a great holiday destination for the Irish.  Where else can you take advantage of predictably good weather, a beautiful landscape and wonderful food and wine at such reasonable prices?" said Mr Bruton.  "And by travelling with Brittany Ferries you can bring back as much wine and souvenirs as you like - as long as you've left enough room in your car!"

Further information on brochures and bookings are available by calling the Brittany Ferries office in Cork at (021) 427 7801. Callers from Northern Ireland should call  (00 353) 21 427 7801.  Or, book online by visiting their website on www.brittanyferries.com.

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For further information please contact:
Claire Guiney, WHPR @ 01 669 0030
claire.guiney@ogilvy.com

Released 27 January 2003