Our Living Islands: Minister Calleary announces new contract for ferry service for Inishbofin, Co. Galway
- Published on: 31 March 2025
- Last updated on: 1 April 2025
- department agrees a 5-year, €2.75 million contract for the provision of a passenger ferry and light cargo service for Inishbofin, Co Galway
- service to provide a minimum of 2 return sailings per day, with extra sailings provided during the summer months
- the new contract provides an extra weekly return sailing, on Friday afternoons, to facilitate islanders returning to the island for the weekend
- new contract comes into effect on 1 April 2025
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has announced a new contract for the provision of a passenger ferry and light cargo service for Inishbofin island off the Galway coast.
A €2.75 million, 5-year contract has been agreed between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Inishbofin Island Discovery Ltd to provide a service between Inishbofin and Cleggan harbour on the mainland.
The service will provide for a minimum of 2-daily return sailings, all year round, with extra sailings provided during the summer months. It has also been agreed that an extra weekly return sailing will be provided on Friday afternoons to facilitate islanders returning to the island for the weekend.
The contract will come into effect on 1 April 2025.
Announcing the contract award, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to announce this very important contract for the community of Inishbofin. The service will be of great benefit to them and will ensure that they can avail of a reliable year-round ferry service to the mainland.
“I am particularly pleased that the new contract will provide an extra weekly return sailing on Fridays, that will be of great benefit to islanders that return to the island for the weekend.”
The Minister also added:
“The government’s ‘Our Living Islands’ policy is committed to investing in transport services and connectivity for our island communities. Ensuring that island communities like Inishbofin can avail of reliable transport and cargo services is core to that policy.”