Competition winner plans more Isle of Man ferry trips

The winner of a recent competition launched by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is planning to use her prize to take more ferry trips to the Isle of Man from Belfast.

Alison McNeilly from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland received £1,000 worth of travel with the Steam Packet Company after winning a competition to name the ferry operator's new vessel.

Ms McNeilly, who also received a free one-year pass to all Manx National Heritage sites, suggested the name of Manannan for the new ship, after the Celtic god of the sea and protector of the Isle of Man.

She came up with the idea during a visit to the House of Manannan in Peel during one of her two yearly ferry trips from Belfast to the Isle of Man.

Picking up her prize, Ms McNeilly said: "I am really pleased to have won as the free travel will enable me to visit the Isle of Man more often. I love the island. I like to come over for the motorbike racing, Tynwald Day and to see the heritage sites."

Manannan, a 96-metre catamaran, is currently undergoing a substantial refit and will enter service this year.

The ship will become the largest vessel of its type in the Irish Sea when it replaces Viking on the Steam Packet Company's ferry crossings between Liverpool and Douglas.

Heysham - Isle of Man

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

Travelling on: 10/04/2012 - 10/04/2012

£34

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Heysham - Isle of Man

Car + 2 Return

Travelling on: 06/03/2012 - 08/03/2012

£134

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Heysham - Isle of Man

Car + 4 Return

Travelling on: 22/05/2012 - 22/05/2012

£182

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* Prices are "from prices" and are indicative only

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