Weather Europe Ireland · 9 December 2024
Ferry Services Between Ireland and Wales Disrupted by Storm Darragh Damage: Incident on 9 December 2024
What happened
On 9 December 2024, ferry services between Ireland and Wales were significantly disrupted following severe damage sustained at Holyhead Port during Storm Darragh. Both Irish Ferries and Stena Line cancelled multiple sailings, leaving passengers with limited travel options and alternative routing.
The storm brought extreme winds exceeding 140 km/h across Ireland, causing widespread power outages and rendering Holyhead Port temporarily unusable for ferry operations. Restoration efforts were ongoing as weather conditions improved.
Details of the incident
Storm Darragh caused widespread damage and power outages across Ireland, with particularly severe impact on Holyhead Port infrastructure. The damage rendered the port temporarily unusable for ferry operations. Irish Ferries cancelled multiple sailings of its MS Ulysses and James Joyce ferries on the Holyhead–Dublin route, offering the Rosslare–Pembroke service as an alternative. Stena Line cancelled four scheduled sailings due to technical reasons directly linked to the storm damage.
Operational impact
Affected services
- Irish Ferries: MS Ulysses and James Joyce (Holyhead–Dublin route) — multiple sailings cancelled
- Irish Ferries: Rosslare–Pembroke service offered as alternative routing
- Stena Line: Four scheduled sailings cancelled due to storm-related technical issues
Weather conditions
- Storm Darragh: extreme winds exceeding 140 km/h in some areas
- Widespread power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses
Casualties
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- None reported.
Rescued
- Not applicable — no maritime rescue operation conducted.
Current status
Holyhead Port remained temporarily unusable pending restoration of infrastructure and power systems. Both Irish Ferries and Stena Line were working to restore services as weather conditions improved and damage assessment was completed. Passengers were advised to check with operators for updated sailing schedules and to consider alternative routing via Rosslare–Pembroke.