Fastnet Line is doing its bit for Cork’s participants in the World Wife Carrying Championships which take place in Sonkajärvi, Finland on July 3rd this year. Ciara Crossan of weddingdates.ie will be revisiting the scene of her third place finish in the relay race last year and “Most Entertaining Couple” award with carrier James Kennedy.
Apart from Finland and Ireland teams from 10 other countries will be participating including USA, Australia, France and Germany. The official rules of wife carrying include:
• The length of the official track is 253.5 meters, and the surface of the track is partially sand, partially grass and partially gravel.
• The track has two dry obstacles and a water obstacle, about one meter deep.
• The wife to be carried may be your own, the neighbour’s or you may have found her farther afield; she must, however, be over 17 years of age.
• The minimum weight of the wife to be carried is 49 kilos. If it is less than 49 kilos, the wife will be burdened with such a heavy rucksack that the total weight to be carried is 49 kilos.
• All the participants must have fun.
• If a contestant drops his wife, he has to re-lift her on to his back or in his arms and continue carrying.
We wish Ciara and James all the very best and look forward to welcome them back on board on their return with a trophy or two.
For further information or interview:
Please call Paul O’Brien of Fastnet Line 021 437 8892
Fastnet Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Cork Tourism Co-op which was set up in April 2009 following a long public campaign to reintroduce this much-missed service to the South West region of Ireland. Funded mainly by private investors from Cork, Kerry and South Wales, the service has been dubbed “The Peoples’ Ferry”. The Co-Op acquired the ship in September 09.
Fastnet Line executives and managers have several years of experience in ferry, hotel and customer-service environments and aim to make the new service the most convenient and comfortable way to cross the Irish Sea. This, coupled with an overwhelming support for the service both in its local area and in Wales, augurs well for the success of this year-round service.
Investors: Fastnet Line is also offering investment opportunities for those interested in becoming members of the Co-Op or through investment in secured bonds. Information on www.fastnetline.com or from 00 353 21 4378892(9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays).
THE SERVICE:
This all year round service, which will carry passengers, cars, commercial freight, campers/caravans, bikes and pets will run 6 nights a week, with additional sailings in high-season, i.e. July and August.
Sailing will be overnight departing at 21.00 hours and arriving 07.00 a.m. next day.
THE SHIP:
154 metres long (longer than Croke Park, Ireland’s largest football stadium!).
Max passenger capacity: 1,500
Max car capacity: 350
Max Freight capacity: 40 trucks/ trailers.
Cabins: 300.
Public Areas: Extensive deck areas for sightseeing.
Cinema: On board cinema
Shopping: On board retail
Activities on Board: Casino.
Crew: Crew of 80.
Bars: Includes the The Cape Clear Bar, named after Ireland’s most southerly island and The Island Bar –spacious and comfortable and providing entertainment.
Restaurants: There are four restaurants aboard to cater to all tastes including The Fastnet Restaurant which will offer a grill room style menu and a self-service style restaurant with children’s menu.
Kennels: On board dog kennels - 15 kennels
Versatile ship which is well suited to the route.
THE BENEFITS;
Road trip savings of over 600km over alternative sea crossings.
Comfort and luxury: Consider the sea crossing as a mini-cruise. With comfortable cabins, extensive public areas and a selection of restaurants and bars passengers can enjoy life on the ocean wave en route to their destination.
ACCESS:
The MV Julia docks at the Ferry Terminal, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork – just 16km outside Cork city (23 mins). West Cork and all its glorious beaches, scenery and excellent bars, restaurants, hotels and family attractions is less than an hour’s drive from the ferry terminal.
The MV Julia docks in Swansea docks with direct access to the M4, and just 1.5km from Swansea City Centre, with the beauty of Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower within easy reach. Cities on the M4 route include Newport, Swindon, Reading and London, offering exciting rendezvous points in the hinterland. The M5 from Swansea takes you into the heart of Devon and Cornwall or visitors can drive north and explore Wales and all it has to offer.
CURRENT OFFERS/SAILING INFORMATION:
For details of current offers log on to www.fastnetline.com or call Fastnet Line
UK Reservations +44 (0) 844 576 8831
Irish Reservations 021 4378892
Shareholders Reservations 021 4378892
Group & Freight Reservations 021 4378892
Or email:
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