About Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency in the heart of the Irish Sea. Falling under Norse rule in 1079, the Isle of Man draws heavy influence from the Viking era, most notably in the name ‘Tynwald’, the oldest continuously used parliament in the world. The island is also characterised by an untouched, beautiful landscape comprising idyllic beaches, rolling green plains and a rugged coastline, earning it a UNESCO Biosphere declaration in March 2016. The unspoilt terrain and winding country roads make it a top destination for cyclists and motorcyclists and the Isle of Man is perhaps most known for the world famous TT motorbike races held every May and June, attracting around 50,000 visitors each year. The Isle of Man’s main port is in Douglas on the southeast coast and, given the island’s central location in the Irish Sea, it is a useful gateway for the British Isles and the Republic of Ireland.

About Ireland

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic, to the West of Great Britain. The island of Ireland is politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. The region has a rather diverse landscape with a ring of coastal mountains and low plains at the center of the island. With three World Heritage Sites, Ireland’s outstanding natural beauty is of great interest to many tourists. Ferry travel is a popular method of getting from Ireland to England, Wales and the Isle of Man across the Irish Sea. Crossings are year round, fast and operated by a variety of ferry company across a number of routes. Despite the relatively long crossing, France is also well connected by ferry from Ireland. The ships are reasonably well appointed and as with the crossings to the UK, there are a number of operators and routes to choose from.