Days Out NI
Boat trip Greencastle

Carlingford Lough Ferry

The short car-and-foot ferry hop across Carlingford Lough between Down and Louth.

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SeasonalNormally Easter-Halloween, weather-depend…
TicketedBook ahead
Greencastle, Co D…Departs from
Get directionsOfficial website
20 minutesHow long
TicketedCost
Easter-HalloweenSeason
Most ages; supe…Best for
Greencastle, Co…Departs

Carlingford Lough Ferry — The short car-and-foot ferry hop across Carlingford Lough between Down and Louth.

  • The trip: Scheduled car & foot passenger ferry.
  • Departs from: Greencastle, Co Down (crossing to Greenore, Co Louth).
  • You may see: Carlingford Lough with Mourne and Cooley mountain views.
  • Season: Normally Easter-Halloween, weather-dependent - but NOT operating any date in 2026.
  • Booking: No booking - first-come, first-served when running.
  • Cost: Check current prices; previously around EUR 20 single per car, foot passengers a few euro.
Plan your visit

A short crossing, not a cruise

This is a working ferry rather than a skippered pleasure trip. You drive on (or walk on) at Greencastle, cross Carlingford Lough, and roll off at Greenore in Co Louth about 20 minutes later. It carries cars, small vans and foot passengers, with capacity for around 40 cars per sailing, and pets are welcome inside vehicles. The route saves the long drive around the top of the lough, and the open crossing gives you the Mourne Mountains behind and the Cooley peninsula ahead. As an open-deck working ferry it suits most ages, though young children should be kept close on deck; for specific accessibility needs, check directly with the operator.

Scheduled car & foot ferry Greencastle to Greenore ~20-minute crossing Normally Easter-Halloween Not running in 2026 Check status before you go
Good to know before you go:

When sailing, the ferry runs a seasonal scheduled timetable rather than special cruises, and timetables are weather-dependent and seasonal. With the 2026 season suspended, the operator's own pages are the place to watch for the planned return and for current sailing status, dates and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧥Warm, windproof layersIt is always cooler and breezier out on the water — dress for it.
  • 🧢A waterproofA bit of sea spray is all part of the adventure.
  • 📷A cameraFor the wildlife, the coast and the castles seen from the sea.
  • 🎫Your bookingMost trips need booking ahead — have the confirmation ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Scheduled car & foot passenger ferry
Departs from
Greencastle, Co Down (crossing to Greenore, Co Louth)
Duration
About 20 minutes each way
What you may see
Carlingford Lough with Mourne and Cooley mountain views
Season
Normally Easter-Halloween, weather-dependent - but NOT operating any date in 2026
Booking
No booking - first-come, first-served when running
Cost
Check current prices; previously around EUR 20 single per car, foot passengers a few euro
Suitable for
Most ages; supervise young children on deck. Accessibility - check with operator
Parking
Not confirmed - check with the operator
Address
Greencastle Ferry Terminal, Greencastle, Kilkeel, Co Down
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
No booking - first-come, first-served when running
How much is it?
Check current prices; previously around EUR 20 single per car, foot passengers a few euro
How long is the trip?
About 20 minutes each way
What might we see?
Carlingford Lough with Mourne and Cooley mountain views
When does it run?
Normally Easter-Halloween, weather-dependent - but NOT operating any date in 2026
Getting there

Carlingford Lough Ferry departs from Greencastle, Co Down (crossing to Greenore, Co Louth). Not confirmed - check with the operator. Tap below for directions to the departure point.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around GreencastleSee what else is close by More boat trips across NISea, lough and river cruises
The story

About the trip

The Carlingford Lough Ferry is run by Frazer Ferries and provides a scheduled vehicle and foot-passenger crossing between Greencastle in Co Down and Greenore in Co Louth, cutting out the long road journey around the head of the lough. The roughly 20-minute trip is best known as a handy link between the Mourne and Cooley sides of the lough rather than as a sightseeing cruise, though the mountain views on both shores are a fair bonus.

The operator has confirmed the ferry will not operate on any date in 2026, with the intention of resuming. Anyone holding tickets with unused trips has had expiry dates extended. Check the operator's site for the latest before planning a crossing.