Irish Ferries launches 2026 deals from €284 to beat January blues
January. The month where the Christmas magic has well and truly worn off, the kids are back at school (thank goodness), and you're staring at a calendar wondering how you'll survive until Easter. The post-holiday slump is real, but here's the thing: you don't have to just endure it. Irish Ferries has launched some seriously tempting deals that might just give you something to look forward to.
Whether you fancy a quick jaunt across the Irish Sea or you're already daydreaming about French sunshine later in the year, there are options that won't require you to remortgage the house. And let's be honest, sometimes just having a trip booked is enough to get you through the grey days.
Weekend Escapes to Britain Without Breaking the Bank
If you're craving a change of scenery but can't commit to a full week away (school runs and work meetings don't take themselves), a weekend trip might be just the ticket. Irish Ferries is offering return trips to Britain from just €284, and with their 2026 Flexi Fare deals, you can plan ahead without the usual stress.
The beauty of the Flexi fares? Full flexibility with no amendment fees. Because we all know that family life is unpredictable at best. Someone inevitably gets a bug the day before you're meant to travel, or your mother-in-law announces she's coming to stay that exact weekend. With Flexi fares, you're covered.
Fancy treating yourself a bit? You can upgrade to Flexi+ and get access to the Club Class lounge, priority boarding, and 10% off in the Irish Ferries shop. It's the little luxuries that make travelling with kids slightly more bearable. Plus, if you time it right, you could sneak in some January sales shopping while you're across the water.
France for €300 Deposit? Don't Mind If I Do
Now, if your January blues require something a bit more substantial than a weekend away, how does France sound? Irish Ferries is letting you secure your booking for later in the year with just a €300 deposit. That means you can start planning your summer escape now without having to fork out the full amount in one go.
Travelling on the W.B. Yeats means no luggage limits, which is brilliant news for anyone who's ever tried to pack for a family holiday. Bring the car, the kids, the dog, half the contents of your hot press… honestly, whatever you need – get CRAM-bootin! No panicking at the airport about baggage weight or paying extortionate fees for an extra suitcase.
Once you're on board, there's actually plenty to enjoy during the crossing. The Maud Gonne Lounge has live entertainment (a proper sit-down with a drink in hand while someone else does the entertaining sounds dreamy), and you've got dining options from fine dining at Lady Gregory to more casual spots like Boylan's Brasserie and Café Lafayette. It's almost like the journey becomes part of the holiday itself.
Win a Free Trip at Holiday World Show
Here's one for the diary: the Holiday World Show will be on at Dublin's RDS this weekend, from 23rd to 25th January. Irish Ferries will have a stand there, and they're running a competition that's dead simple to enter. Just call over, scan a QR code, and you're in the running to win a return sailing on the W.B. Yeats for a car and four people, plus four nights' accommodation at a Eurocamp park.
The winner will be announced on 1st February and contacted within seven days. If you win, you've got 24 hours to accept (so keep an eye on your phone), and the prize is valid for travel up to 10th June or from 4th to 30th September 2026.
Even if you don't win, there will be exclusive offers available only at the show, plus staff on hand to help you tailor a trip that actually suits your family's needs and budget. Sometimes it's just nice to talk to an actual human being instead of clicking through endless website pages, isn't it?
If January has you feeling stuck in a rut of school lunches and grey skies, maybe it's time to give yourself something to look forward to. Even just browsing ferry times and imagining a different postcode for a few days can lift the spirits. And who knows, with deals like these, you might actually make it happen.
Irish Ferries offers travel connections across the Irish Sea.