Volcanic ash and alternative travel arrangements to Ireland

[filthiestfis]

Facing uncertainty in the upcoming days due to the volcanic ash cloud looming over northern ireland and scotland etc. as previously posted, I am scheduled to fly to belfast on saturday.
Should this not be possible, I will endeavour to get there by other means.
A colleague has advised me to take the ferry from Liverpool to Belfast.
Given that I live in London, would this be the wisest choice? Is this the nearest port where I can catch the ferry to belfast from? Is the ferry not an 8 hour journey?

[jb190281]

you could fly london to liverpool, and then catch the ferry, i would imagine that would reduce your travelling a bit

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you don't want to go all of the way up to Scotland for the short crossing over to Belfast, your options are as follows:

1. P&O Irish Sea ferry from Liverpool to Dublin, and then by Enterprise train to Belfast

2. Stena Line from Holyhead to Dublin, and then by Enterprise train.

3. Stena Line from Fleetwood to Larne, and then by N I Railways train to Belfast.

4. NorfolkLine from Liverpool (Birkenhead) direct to Belfast.

I can't see anything better than the NorfolkLine service (which, as you suggest, takes 8 hours).

I've just checked the Met Office extended outlook for sea area Irish Sea. Strong winds (which usually means rough seas) are forecast for Saturday.

Chris

[JB]

It is an 8 hour journey, and as far as I know it is the closest port (although it's not actually Liverpool, it's Birkenhead.) The only other two that I know of are Isle of Man or Stranraer.

[jno]

if you can believe the weather men, the wind is changing direction tomorrow and blowing the cloud out to the Atlantic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8661096.stm