A new passenger ferry service between Ireland and France is launching this Friday.

The service between Rosslare and Dunkirk will offer tourists a direct link between Ireland’s Sunny Southeast and Northern France for the first time.

The passenger service is being launched in addition to the freight service which already exists between the two ports.

The service is being run by Danish shipping company DFDS.

The company said it will initially be focused on car and motorhome traffic, “with limited capacity to complement our freight traffic.”

Spokesperson Chris Parker said: “We launched a freight service between Rosslare and Dunkirk in January 2021 and it has proved extremely popular with customers looking to move goods between Ireland and continental Europe without the need to use the land-bridge via the UK.

“Adding passenger services to the route will further strengthen the service and we expect strong demand from holidaymakers in Ireland and in Northern Europe.

“Rosslare is at the heart of the ‘Sunny Southeast’ and a short drive from Dublin and Cork, making it a very popular destination. Irish customers will benefit from a direct link into the heart of Europe.”

The crossing will take 24 hours and there will be up to five sailings per week.

Prices for a car and four passengers with a standard cabin start from €550 with all meals included.