Sailings from Isle of Man to Ireland introduced as Steam Packet Company brings back Ben-my-Chree

The Ben-my-Chree will be brought back into regular service to operate routes to Ireland. Credit: ITV Granada Reports

Regular sailings from the Isle of Man to Ireland are to be introduced, after the Steam Packet Company (SPC) announced a new 'three-vessel timetable'.

The former flagship Ben-my-Chree ferry is set to operate from Douglas - travelling to Dublin and Larne - transporting passengers and freight from 2026.

Ben-my-Chree will operate to Dublin in Ireland for five sailings a week during peak season, and three sailings a week to Larne in Northern Ireland during the off-season.

A spokesperson for the SPC says this will leave the Manxman and Manannan 'free to increase sailings to Heysham and Liverpool'.

Additional daytime sailings by the Manannan are expected to take place through the summer months, maintaining two sailings a day into early September.

Meanwhile, the Manxman will operate exclusively to Heysham in the peak season, but will take over the Liverpool weekend sailings between November and the end of March.

It is the first time in over 15 years the Isle of Man has had a regular schedule outside of TT operated by three vessels.

Further work required on Isle of Man terminal after ferry unable to safely dock
The Manannan departing the Isle of Man ferry terminal in Liverpool. Credit: Steam Packet Company

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director, Brian Thomson, commented: "Following on from the pricing initiatives unveiled last year, the growth in ferry travel has been very positive. We’re committed to supporting a growth agenda for the Isle of Man and we feel this is the good use of our resources to do that.

"My team has worked very hard on pulling together the business case for the increased services to our neighbouring islands and we want to make a success out of this. We, as a Company, are investing heavily in growing our business and, as a result, the economic and social opportunities for the Isle of Man.

"What I would say though, is this is a case of use it or lose it. We cannot, as a Company, afford to back an initiative that loses money over the long term. We’re making a two-year commitment to the new routes to Ireland today. We’ll be giving it our best shot and we’re looking for support from the business community and residents of the Isle of Man to make sure it succeeds."

The schedule will go live on the SPC website from 21 November at 09:30am and runs up to late May 2027.