A new ferry route linking north and south will set sail from county Down tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.
Commuters will be able to embark at Greencastle and spend the 15-20 minutes onboard to Greenore in county Louth.
The plans had been in the pipeline for the best part of a decade, with the project costing £8.5m.
The first sailing, run by Frazer Ferries, will set off from Greencastle at 12 noon tomorrow.
Paul O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Frazer Ferries said: “We are very pleased to have arrived at this stage after a long and exhaustive permitting process in two jurisdictions.
“The outstandingly beautiful South Down and coastal regions of the Mournes and the Cooley Peninsula have intrinsic natural attractions but restricted access to the areas is a significant problem.
“We are very confident that the new ferry service across the mouth of Carlingford Lough will be a major attraction and will allow both regions to be marketed holistically as a single destination.”
The project has not been without its issues, only last month Appeal judges in Belfast upheld a High Court dismissal of a case challenging the granting of planning permission and a marine licence for the new service.
The service will run from 7am to 9.30pm during the summer, and from 7am to 7pm from October to March.
