Holidaymaker and those visiting friends or family in Northern Ireland have a new, viable self-drive travel option by combining the Holyhead/Dublin crossing with the new Dublin Port tunnel, says Irish Ferries, the low fares ferry operator.

The tunnel connects direct – in around a six-minute drive – with the M1 motorway between Dublin and Belfast (104 miles), with easy access en route to the Mountains of Mourne and towns such as Dundalk and Newry.

Irish Ferries operates sailings direct into Dublin port from Holyhead, with crossings either on the Dublin Swift – crossing time one hour 49 minutes - or the world’s largest car ferry, the Ulysses, which makes the journey in three hours, 15 minutes. Fares start from £69 for car and driver including all taxes and fuel charges.