1

It depends on where you're leaving from in Ireland and where you're going to in Cornwall, plus what time of the year you're doing this (some ferries are seasonal), plus how long you're going.

However, as a starter for ten consider brittany ferries. They run from Cork to Roscoff in NW France (http://www.brittanyferries.ie/), but they also run from Roscoff to Plymouth (http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/). This minimises your driving but frequency on the Cork Roscoff route is fairly poor - off season it's only weekly.

Alternatively various operators cross the Irish sea to Wales (meaning you'd have to drive along to the M4 Severn crossing to cross the Severn to then drive back down the South West peninsular. Travel durations would depend on which Welsh port you were using of course - and that depends on where in Ireland you're starting from.

The easiest way would be to use http://www.directferries.ie/ to figure it out for yourself, cos you didn't give enough info, sorry.

As for the Rosslare ferry, I've used it myself, it was OK. I mean, it's only 3.5 hrs. It didn't sink, and that was the only really important thing.

2

Cornwall simply doesn't have a port big enough (yet) to deal with ferries, although there have been rumours over the years that we might get one which will do the France from Falmouth trip. There wouldn't be enough call for a ferry to operate an Irish route.... Falmouth has a huge working harbour but also shelters some endangered rare seaweed and the environmentalists are concerned that dredging the harbour would kill it off. So until that war is won, we won't get huge cruise ships or large ferries coming in here - at the moment the cruise ships have to anchor in Falmouth Bay and get water taxis in to the town. (Personally I don't want to see more big ships here).

You have to realise that because of Cornwall's geography, we are a long way from anywhere, including business, so a ferry to and from Ireland almost certainly wouldn't pay.

3

Hmmm, I am thinking we may do the Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead and come down from there. We are going in early June so weather should be okay I hope. Plan to travel around a wee bit in Cornwall and we have relatives to stay with.
Thank you for your help.

4

Cork - Swansea is no longer running. Stena line Rosslare - Fishguard is the best option http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/

5

I'm with Fwoggie on this - never found anything to complain about on Rosslare - Fishguard. OK it's not luxury, but it is safe, remarkably reliable given the rough weather you sometimes get on the Irish sea, and unless you have a really rough crossing it is under 4 hours from boarding to alighting.

6

I travel regularly from Kent to Co. Cork to visit my parents, and if taking the car i use the fishguard-Rosslare route. When arriving in Ireland i normally stop and spend the night at the Archways B&B before the drive to Cork the next morning, the B&B is about 1 or 2 miles from the ferry port and absolutely fantastic. http://thearchways.ie/ The rooms are lovely and the owners are fantastic. Highly recommended.

7

thank you everyone. Much appreciated. Always great that someone can help