Irish Ferries sails Dover to Calais with two ships: the Isle of Inishmore, which opened the route in June 2021, and the Oscar Wilde, the former P&O Spirit of Britain, which joined in June 2024. Both have Club Class, a Pet Den, free Wi-Fi and a children’s play area.
The two ships compared
| Isle of Inishmore | Oscar Wilde | |
|---|---|---|
| On Dover to Calais since | June 2021 | June 2024 |
| Places to eat | Boylan’s Brasserie, Café Lafayette, Druids Delights | Food Market, Café Lafayette |
| Bar | O’Flaherty’s | O’Flaherty’s (seasonal) |
| Children | Play area, Cyber Zone | Adventure Island soft play |
| Club Class | Yes | Yes |
| Pet Den | Yes | Yes |
| Shop | Duty-free prices, Click & Collect | Duty-free prices, Click & Collect |
| IMO number | 9142605 | 9524231 |
Which ship you sail on depends on the departure. Both carry vehicles only on this route: there are no foot passengers with Irish Ferries from Dover.
Isle of Inishmore
The Isle of Inishmore has sailed Dover to Calais since Irish Ferries launched the route in June 2021. She was built in the Netherlands and entered service in 1997, and spent most of her career on Irish Sea routes before moving to the Channel.
- Places to eat: Boylan’s Brasserie, Café Lafayette and Druids Delights.
- O’Flaherty’s bar.
- A children’s play area and the Cyber Zone.
- Outer decks 9 and 11 with panoramic sea views.
- Club Class, the Pet Den, a shop with Click & Collect, free Wi-Fi, and a lounge for lorry drivers.
Oscar Wilde
The Oscar Wilde started life in 2011 as P&O’s Spirit of Britain, built at Rauma in Finland alongside the Spirit of France, which still sails for P&O. Irish Ferries acquired her in 2024, renamed her and put her on Dover to Calais in June 2024. (Irish Ferries’ earlier ship called Oscar Wilde, on the Irish Sea, was renamed James Joyce.)
- A Food Market and Café Lafayette.
- O’Flaherty’s bar, open seasonally.
- Adventure Island, a soft play area for younger children.
- A duty-free shop with gifts, fragrances and fashion, and Click & Collect.
- Club Class, the Pet Den, free Wi-Fi, and a lounge and restaurant for lorry drivers.
| Built | STX Europe, Rauma, Finland |
|---|---|
| Type | Ro-pax ferry |
| Length | 213 m |
| Beam | 30.8 m |
| Decks | 10 |
| Gross tonnage | 47,592 |
| Speed | 22 knots |
| Passengers | 2,000 |
| Cars | Up to 1,059 |
| Freight vehicles | 180 (2,700 lane metres) |
| IMO number | 9524231 |
Club Class on the Irish Ferries ships
On both ships, Club Class costs £29 (€33.50) per person each way. You get a lounge with sea views, complimentary soft drinks and snacks, fresh baguettes, French cheeses and wine, 10% off in the shop and free Wi-Fi.
The Pet Den
Both ships have a Pet Den, a pre-bookable indoor area with an outdoor walkway where you stay with your pet during the crossing. Pets must be on a lead and supervised, and restricted breeds muzzled. Otherwise your pet stays in your vehicle; if you’re on a motorcycle, it must use the Pet Den or a kennel. Check in at least 90 minutes before departure with a pet. See pets on Irish Ferries.
Where are the Isle of Inishmore and Oscar Wilde now?
These live maps show each ship’s latest position and her track over the last 24 hours, from AIS data via VesselFinder. Tap or click a map to use it, and tap the ship for her speed, course and next port. Positions can be a few minutes old.
Isle of Inishmore
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9142605.
Oscar Wilde
Live map from VesselFinder. IMO 9524231.
For times, fares, check-in and how Irish Ferries compares with P&O and DFDS, see the Irish Ferries guide. Other ships on Dover to Calais: P&O’s Pioneer and Liberté and Spirit of France, and the DFDS fleet.
Book Irish Ferries Dover to Calais
Isle of Inishmore and Oscar Wilde Ferry Guide FAQs
Which ships does Irish Ferries use from Dover to Calais?
The Isle of Inishmore and the Oscar Wilde. Between them they run up to 20 sailings a day, and the crossing takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is the Oscar Wilde the old Spirit of Britain?
Yes. Irish Ferries acquired P&O's Spirit of Britain in 2024, renamed her Oscar Wilde and put her on Dover to Calais in June 2024. Her sister, the Spirit of France, still sails the route for P&O. Irish Ferries' previous ship called Oscar Wilde was renamed James Joyce.
What restaurants are on the Isle of Inishmore?
Boylan's Brasserie, Café Lafayette and Druids Delights, plus O'Flaherty's bar. The Oscar Wilde has a Food Market, Café Lafayette and O'Flaherty's bar, which opens seasonally.
Do both Irish Ferries ships have a Pet Den?
Yes. Both the Isle of Inishmore and the Oscar Wilde have a Pet Den, a pre-bookable area where you stay with your pet during the crossing.
Where are the Isle of Inishmore and Oscar Wilde now?
The live maps on this page show each ship's position and her track over the last 24 hours, from VesselFinder's AIS data. Their IMO numbers are 9142605 (Isle of Inishmore) and 9524231 (Oscar Wilde).
How big is the Oscar Wilde?
Irish Ferries gives her length as 213 m, with 10 decks, room for 2,000 passengers and up to 1,059 cars or 180 freight vehicles, and a speed of 22 knots.