Rugby fans will soon be booking their ferries to Dublin in anticipation of the Six Nations tournament.
Ireland will get their campaign underway on February 7th with a match against France, Six Nations champions two years in a row in 2006 and 2007, at Croke Park.
The Irish rugby team enjoyed two victories in their autumn internationals, against Canada and Argentina, while France beat Argentina and the Pacific Islanders, suggesting the sides could be fairly evenly matched in their Six Nations clash.
Ferries to Dublin could prove extremely popular towards the end of February, ahead of Ireland's match against England at Croke Park on the 28th.
Martin Johnson's England side suffered heavy defeats against the three southern hemisphere sides in the autumn and they will have their eyes on the Six Nations as an opportunity to repair some damaged pride.
Sports fans planning to attend either of these matches can catch ferries to Dublin from Liverpool or Holyhead with operators including Norfolkline,
Irish Ferries and
Stena Line.