Ulysses, Irish Ferries’ flagship on Holyhead to Dublin: up to 1,938 passengers, 117 cabins, sailing times, food, pets and how it compares with James Joyce.
Ulysses is Irish Ferries’ flagship and has sailed between Holyhead and Dublin for her whole career, since March 2001. She shares the route with James Joyce, and the two ships alternate across the four daily Irish Ferries sailings in each direction. The crossing takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.
When she was launched she was the largest car ferry in the world by car capacity, and she is still one of the biggest ships on the Irish Sea. Her interiors take their names from James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, which is where the ship’s name comes from.
Ulysses at a glance
| Operator | Irish Ferries |
| Route | Holyhead – Dublin (Terminal 1 in Dublin) |
| In service | Since March 2001 |
| Built | Aker Finnyards, Rauma, Finland |
| Size | 50,938 gross tonnes, 209 m long, 12 decks |
| Passengers | Up to 1,938 |
| Vehicles | Up to 1,342 cars or 240 lorries (about 4,076 lane metres) |
| Cabins | 117 cabins with 228 berths, all en-suite |
| Service speed | About 22 knots |
| Crossing time | About 3 hours 30 minutes |
When does Ulysses sail?
Irish Ferries leaves Holyhead at 01:30, 07:30, 13:15 and 19:30, and Dublin at 01:15, 07:30, 13:45 and 19:45. Ulysses and James Joyce share these sailings, so the ship on a given departure changes from day to day. Your booking confirmation names the ship. See the Holyhead to Dublin ferry timetable for both operators.
On board
- Food and drink: Boylan’s Brasserie for hot meals and Bloom’s Bar, both named after characters in the novel, plus a café.
- Club Class: a paid lounge with reserved seats, complimentary snacks and drinks, and sea views. Worth it on a busy summer sailing.
- Cabins: all on deck 10, with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Accessible cabins are available. A cabin makes most sense on the 01:15 or 01:30 night sailings.
- Families: a children’s play area, plus outside deck space in good weather.
- Shopping and Wi-Fi: an onboard shop and free Wi-Fi, which drops in and out mid-crossing.
Pets on Ulysses
Pets must be added to your booking. On Ulysses you can sit with your dog in the free Pet Den lounge, which has its own outdoor walkway, leave it in your car, or book a kennel on the car deck. Pet-friendly cabins are only on James Joyce, so pick one of her sailings if you want one. More in our guide to pets on the Holyhead to Dublin ferry.
Ulysses vs James Joyce
| Ulysses | James Joyce | |
|---|---|---|
| In service on the route | Since 2001 | 2023–2025, then again since May 2025 |
| Passengers | Up to 1,938 | Over 2,000 |
| Strength | Huge car and freight decks | Faster ship, the only one with pet cabins |
| Crossing | About 3h30 | About 3h30 |
Before you sail
Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure for cars and foot passengers. Since 28 September 2026 every passenger needs a valid passport (or an Irish passport card). See passport rules for the Holyhead to Dublin ferry and our Holyhead terminal guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ulysses take from Holyhead to Dublin?
About 3 hours 30 minutes, the same as the other conventional ferries on the route.
Does Ulysses have cabins?
Yes. She has 117 en-suite cabins. Book them with your ticket, as night sailings sell out first.
Can I choose to sail on Ulysses?
Only by picking a departure she is scheduled for. The ship can be swapped for operational reasons, so treat it as likely rather than guaranteed.