Hibernia Line - Ireland to France on foot
Launched to a fan fair of fireworks in the summer of 2026, Hibernia Line is Europe's newest long haul ferry operator directly connecting Ireland and France promising a simpler and relaxed way to travel from A to B.
A2B via Sea® was invited aboard so I can show you exactly what a journey with them is like giving my unbiased thoughts and observations. Of course, I jumped at the chance!
One of the unique selling points of Hibernia Line is they permit foot passengers so, as Boulogne sur Mer has a railway station I'm going to see how easy it is to get to Paris from which, if you're touring Europe, the whole continent is yours to explore.
After all, why would you want the faff of flying; lengthy airport queues, meticulously measuring your luggage and landing miles away from the sights when the train will take you right into the heart of the action?
I start my journey in the Port of Cork (Ringaskiddy) which is the Irish base for Hibernia Line.
Seemingly a small waterfront village with a port attached, all was very serene and calm so travelling as a foot passenger I wasn’t intimidated by towering juggernauts or a continuous stream of tourist vehicles as you may find at other gateways.
Ringaskiddy is located around nine miles away from the city of Cork where friendly locals were more than happy to come over and chat as I sipped coffee in one of the waterfront bars pondering what to do for a few hours before making my way to the ferry.
Ashamedly this was my first time in Cork and as I studied numerous local tourist information pamphlets I'd picked up I realised I would need to return to fully explore all that this city has to offer.
Fortunately the very convenient departure time of 9pm meant I was in no rush to get to the port and allowed me a little time to have an explore.
So, how do you get from Cork to Ringaskiddy?
Public transport to the ferry terminal was actually very convenient with an hourly service but, using the bus certainly took me 'around the houses' as the journey time was around an hour and a half.
To be fair I didn't mind as I saw parts of the county I wouldn't normally see plus the cost of only a couple of Euros was a huge saving compared to an Uber which would've cost around forty five.
The friendly bus driver advised I would need to disembark at the second to last stop but, as I'd never done this before I didn't know what the second to last stop was - although seeing the Hibernia Line vessel out of the window was a huge clue!
Hibernia Line has two vessels providing a regular service to France however, I simply had to travel aboard St Patrick which although originally entering service in 2002 is still capable of impressive speeds, has a timeless dart shaped superstructure, 'go fast' stripes and even a winged funnel. Isn't she beautiful!
Top tip, if you do use public transport check the weather forecast before hand as there's little shelter as you walk to the ferry terminal so if it's going to rain bring a brollie as you will get wet!
First impressions count and as casually walked towards the ferry terminal numerous members of staff in the vehicle lanes, who I assume work for Hibernia Line as opposed to the Port of Cork Authority, came over to say hello asking if I'd had a good day and if I found the port without any issues.
All this was very genuine - they weren’t being kind because they knew the purpose of my trip was to review their product (I had been heavily promoting my trip on social media for a few weeks prior) they were genuinely just being very polite.
This paved the way for what I could expect for the rest of my journey; relaxing, civilised and friendly.
The passenger terminal is a single level building with WC facilities, water dispenser and plenty of seating.
Checking-in at the ferry terminal was exceptionally easy; ninety minutes before sailing just hand over your booking confirmation and passport then take a seat until the ship is ready to start embarkation.
Fortunately me I was able to board pretty much immediately allowing time to make myself at home before the voyage starts.
Foot passengers are escorted to the ship via the port’s vehicle lanes and the ship’s stern ramp giving the opportunity to get a few good selfies to make my friends jealous as I was about to undertake what is essentially an overnight mini cruise.
To be fair I always enjoy walking onto ferries via the vehicle deck as you get a completely different perspective than boarding through a dedicated gangway plus, you also can see the shire size of the vessel; the cavernous vehicle decks seemingly disappearing into the distance.
Just be mindful though of uneven surfaces owing to the vehicle lashing points and potentially slippery surfaces due to oily residue.
Still being escorted by a member of shoreside staff, you’re taken to the ship's reception where you’re given a cabin key card - the personnel will be expecting you as they'll have a manifest of all passenger names with your cabin already allocated. Think of it as checking in at a plush hotel where you're greeted by friendly staff.
Overnight accommodation is mandatory owing to the length of the voyage but to be fair it also gives you an area to call your own - a home away from home - enabling you to freshen up and a place to store your belongings.
Aboard St. Patrick passenger cabins are located on decks 8, 9 and 10; wide stairwells and cavernous halls prevent congestion during busy times, namely embarkation and debark when passenger flow is high so, first impressions will be positive; spacious, calm & relaxed and will set the tone for the rest of the journey.
Elevators are available aboard so if you have walking difficulties you won't have an issue.
Although a large ship locating your cabin is easy thanks to good signage plus, staff are at hand within the halls to direct you.
Now, for complete transparency I was allocated a deluxe cabin by Hibernia Line - the best category aboard. However, a range of accommodation is available to suit all budgets, group sizes and personal requirements.
Exceptionally spacious with a neutral unoffensive colour pallet of beige and chalk white with a pop of colour from the plumb upholstery on the two seater sofa, my deluxe cabin benefited from having Scandinavian style hard flooring and being positioned on the corner of the forward end of deck 8 I was treated to dual aspect views overlooking the bow.
You're going to want to have a good night's sleep and my bed didn't disappoint; a large double bed with soft duvet and plump pillows - it was like sleeping in a cloud - absolute bliss!
A seating area is positioned beneath the windows offering somewhere to relax with a good book or whilst surfing the web.
Deluxe cabins also benefit from having bedside tables, a wardrobe with no fewer than ten sturdy hangers and a large vanity table where a two pin power socket is located - just don't forget your adaptor if your appliance has a three pin plug.
My deluxe cabin also had a mini fridge enabling me to keep my complimentary bottles of water chilled but more importantly, should you be on medication which needs to be kept cool then this is ideal.
Of course, I had a large private ensuite bathroom which had a spotlessly clean and powerful shower, WC, sink, soap, hairdryer and several towels. This truly is a home away from home!
Deluxe cabins are the pinnacle of luxury aboard St Patrick but for those just looking for a comfortable private space, after all it's just for one night, standard inside (no window) and outside cabins (small single window) are available which still offer exceptional comfort but at an affordable cost.
For those requiring additional space due to mobility issues, accessible cabins are available with wider doors enabling easy access for wheelchairs, hand rails by the bed plus a spacious wheelchair friendly bathroom with emergency pull-cords throughout in the event you need assistance from a member of crew.
Travelling with your four legged fury friend?
They are part of the family after all.
Well, pet friendly cabins are available aboard St. Patrick in all cabin grades from cost effective inside to luxurious deluxe and the best bit, comfort isn't compromised as you'll still have exactly the same amenities but with the added extras of a dog bowl, goodie bag and a large bottle of water to make the journey more special for you and your dog.
Label identifying pet friendly Dog goodie bag
The deluxe pet friendly cabins aboard St Patrick are located up on deck 10 giving you the convenience of having pretty much direct access to the exterior deck where you'll be able to get some fresh air in the pet area.
The best thing about travelling by ferry is the fresh sea air, plenty of space to wander around and watch the beautiful vistas glide past so, as soon as the ships' Captain made his pre-departure welcome aboard announcement I made a bee-line for the exterior decks.
Feeling no vibration from the ships engines what-so-ever, to my surprise when I arrived on deck we had already left the berth and were manoeuvring to sail out of the harbour which actually took me by surprise as we were departing early.
Hibernia Line gave me exceptional freedom to report my personal thoughts and observations of their product but, I "must" show Cobh as we sail past - I can see why!
The towering spire of the imposing St. Colman's Cathedral and the backdrop of the emerald green trees flanking the pastel coloured town houses was simply awe inspiring and with the local residents waving us goodbye from the promenade as we cruised out towards the Irish Sea I was truly in the holiday spirit.
This is exactly why ferry travel is the best way to get from A to B as you'll see some beautiful vistas!
Time for food so, after a piping hot shower and a change of clothes I head down to the dining room.
The great thing about St Patrick is passenger facilities are primarily located on Deck 7 meaning finding your way around is easy, not least owing to the tiled aisle which seamlessly weaves its way around knitting all public facilities together encouraging passengers to explore.
There's a single dining room aboard St. Patrick which is periodically open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Other than the salad and desert counters where you can help yourself, hot main courses are plated for you by exceptionally attentive personnel who will give details of the large choice available which on my journey consisted of fish, chicken and beef with a range of vegetables.
Of course, I had to try everything - for the benefit of this blog of course - so please forgive the eclectic look of my plates.
I can honestly say the beef was probably the most tender I have ever experienced aboard any ferry to date; it melted in the mouth and the gravy made my mouth water!
That's not surprising as Hibernia Line has partnered with acclaimed Irish chef, cookery writer and television presenter Rachel Allen who plays a central role working alongside the onboard chefs to create the menus.
Breakfast the following morning was just as good; hot items served to your plate whilst yoghurts and pastries were self service.
A point worth noting is I was offered extra sausages, hash browns and tomato's but I declined as I intended to have a large lunch later that day and I wanted to save room!
Like all passenger areas the décor within the dining room has a homely ambience owing to its soft lighting, rich colours and quality fixtures and fittings plus the reflective polished surfaces made the ships' interior feel spacious.
Banquette style sofas encompass the dining area which consist of free standing chairs around tables of differing sizes positioned on localised deep pile carpeting adjacent to large windows enabling you to watch the passing vistas.
After a hearty evening meal the place to head for before retiring to bed is the aptly named Shamrock Bar - the main social hub aboard.
You won't find discotheques, nightclubs, gambling tables, rowdy groups or rampaging kids aboard Hibernia Line vessels.
Instead you'll find a civilized, adult and to be fair a sophisticated environment with passengers dotted around having found a cosy corner to relax in; some congregated around one of the large wall mounted TV screens which were playing 70's and 80's music videos, whilst others (including me) were perched on one of the bar stools chatting to the crew as fellow passengers from all over Europe and I exchanged stories whilst drinking reasonably priced beverages.
On a personal note I loved this - I'm far too old to dance the night away and wake up with a banging headache!
Don't get me wrong, there are gaming machines and a good vibe within the bar it's just more low key, personal and sedate than other vessels.
Not closing until around 0100hrs I stayed until the end having had a truly great evening after which I had a lap of the exterior deck watching the ships white wake disappearing into the darkness as the ship powered through the Irish Sea towards the English Channel before retiring to my cabin for the night.
Our convenient early evening arrival time in Boulogne sur Mer the next day meant I could've had a good lay-in but, I set my alarm so I could get some interior photos of the ship whilst the facilities were empty before sampling breakfast when the dining room opened at 8am.
Now, for those of you who follow me on social media you'll know my morning coffee is a must - avoid me and don't even talk to me until I've had one (lol).
Fortunately for everyone aboard, on St. Patrick there's a vending machine which serves very good, hot, strong coffee twenty four hours a day so, if you're an early riser in need of a caffeine fix before breakfast then you're very well catered for.
So, with a scheduled arrival time of 7pm and much of the voyage during day light hours what is there to do?
Well, a journey with Hibernia Line is more akin to being on a cruise rather than a ferry simply going from A to B.
Yes, you can wonder around the ships' vast exterior decks breathing in the fresh sea air looking out for passing ships or even - on a calm day - wildlife like seals, whales and dolphins.
Aboard St. Patrick you'll find wide exposed promenades on decks 7 & 10 offering uninterrupted sea views with sheltered areas adjacent to the funnel on four levels in the event the weather is blustery plus designated smoking and pet friendly areas.
Or, you can be more literal with the cruising ethos as aboard St. Patrick there's a spa - an actual spa!!
Is this a ferry or a Nordic cruise?!
Perched on the highest point of the ship you'll find 'Splash', a truly impressive facility where, as the promotional poster accurately states, you can relax, unwind and recharge.
For the price of only 20 Euro per person, you're permitted two hours where you can have a soak in the jacuzzi which is bathed in a shaft of natural light from the domed skylight above.
Alternatively you can work off your breakfast on one of the treadmills or simply chill-out in the sauna which, owing to its position up on deck 10, marvel at the elevated passing vistas as you cruise to or from France.
Top tip, don't forget to pack your swimming cossie!
If you'd sooner you can curl up in the main bar watching a DVD.
If it wasn't for the large windows which surround the bar on three sides offering exceptional views of the horizon you could be forgiven for thinking you're in a friends living room, albeit a large one, owing to the oversized tub chairs, comfortable sofa's and deep pile carpeting.
On my voyage Mr Bean was being shown on TV which I thought was a brilliant choice of programme as the lack of dialogue from the non-verbal character meant all passenger nationalities aboard would be able to understand ensuring an inclusive environment.
At around noon some passengers congregated in the ships' secondary bar waiting for friends and family to join them for a spot of lunch.
For me however, I wanted some retail therapy.
Aboard St. Patrick you won't find shopping malls with invited commission driven supernumeraries trying to entice you by spraying fragrances into the air as you walk past, or vast walls of shelving units with glass bottles of alcohol rattling to the vibration of the ships engines.
Instead you'll find a boutique style shop selling a surprisingly large array of Irish memorabilia, travel accessories and confectionary - a great place to grab some last minute souvenirs and of course a copy of Rachel Allen's book!
Travelling with Hibernia Line is an exceptionally relaxing way to travel; all was very chilled where you can leisurely meander around but, can there be such a thing as too much relaxing?
Answer - YES!
I made the huge mistake of having a large (very tasty) fish lunch which although fantastic, with a full tummy I retired to my cabin.
Curling up in my oversized bed and being enveloped by the incredibly comforting duvet and pillows I fell asleep....
SEVERAL HOURS later I woke to the Captain's announcement to say we were arriving in France! I couldn't believe it! I'd slept for over four hours! I wasn't tired or bored - I was simply SO RELAXED.
Not too dissimilar from the scene in the movie Home Alone, I dashed around emptying the wardrobe of my belongings throwing them into my trusty backpack then made a bee-line for the exterior deck to find, as the Captain had previously announced, we were docking in Boulogne sur Mer.
Now, on a personal note I was devastated as I'd set up a collaboration with the fantastic organisation Côté Drone to film my arrival into the French city as my plan was to film them filming me and incorporate their aerial footage into my YouTube vlog.
Alas, it wasn't to be but, here's their excellent footage anyway.
Foot passenger disembarkation was very civilised - no pushing or shoving like you may experience on established core routes - once the announcement for disembarkation is made passengers start making their way to the stairs and elevators giving access to the vehicle decks.
For foot passengers a minibus will be waiting to drive you to the railway station in Boulogne sur Mer via the French customs and immigration check points within the port.
Top tip, ensure you have your documents with you and not left in your bag as this is put in the boot of the vehicle by the very friendly driver who says he speaks poor English but is actually almost fluent - a very nice and welcoming man!
Regrettably I didn't have long in Boulogne sur Mer but what I did see definitely enticed me to return to explore further as the quaint cobbled squares and pavement restaurants looked so inviting and, even though it was midweek, the bars were very well patronised by the locals who warmly welcomed me.
How about the onward leg to Paris?
Well, very simple.
I purchased my ticket directly from the SNCF railway station which is located close to the city centre shortly before the train departed - although there are ticket machines within the concourse if there's a queue.
I decided to travel first class which was paid for by A2B via Sea® and found the dedicated train carriage to be exceptionally spacious with huge seats with plenty of legroom, table lights, individual sockets for the charging of mobile phones, laptops and tablets plus a considerable amount of luggage storage space .
Surprisingly there was no catering so allow time to grab some snacks and refreshments from the station shop before boarding - or bring your own.
Standard class accommodation appeared to be fairly comfortable although certainly busier than first class and again, although a whole carriage was dedicated to having a buffet no refreshments were available.
Within two and a half hours I had arrived in Gare du Nord where, looking at the departure boards, the whole of Europe is yours to explore.
That's the great thing about Hibernia Line - travelling on foot is so convenient.
If you're exploring the continent, perhaps backpacking and don't want the faff of flying or travelling via the UK, just rock up in Paris, get the highspeed train direct to Boulogne sur Mer, jump in the Hibernia Line minibus which will drive you straight to the port then, after a very relaxing overnight voyage you'll arrive in Ireland where you can continue your tour.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed my journey with Hibernia Line - and I'm not just saying that because they invited me aboard.
My whole experience from start to finish was outstanding; I genuinely felt looked after as the staff, both shore side and aboard, were exceptionally polite, friendly and courteous:
at check-in I was warmly welcomed.
in the dining room the chefs took time to explain the meal options.
crew were chatting to passengers showing a genuine interest.
I observed the crew thoroughly polishing the stairwell balustrades and hoovering the carpet, all taking pride in the ship.
And the most important thing, personnel aboard the ship were at hand twenty four hours a day for any queries or concerns you may have - I made a point of going to the ships' information desk at silly o'clock in the morning with a small query to gauge their response - the crew were still chirpy and welcoming.
Here's my vlog so you can virtually come aboard.
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