Irish Ferries is encouraging travel agents in Ireland and the UK to suggest a name for the company’s new 55,000 tonne cruise ferry. 

The ship is currently being built in Germany at a cost of €144 million and is due to come into service next summer.

Irish Ferries is looking for ‘a big name for a big ship’ that conveys a sense of Ireland and the country’s literary past, with an emotional appeal not only to Irish people, but to anyone who sails on the amazing new ship.

“We’re looking for a name that stacks up – in the literary sense – alongside our current fleet that already includes Ulysses, Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift,” said Irish Ferries head of passenger sales Dermot Merrigan.

“All suggestions will go into the draw with a first prize of free travel for life on Irish Ferries.”

Agents are invited to visit www.bigshipbigname.com to enter the competition, which has a closing date of 29 September 2017.

The new ferry has capacity for 1,800 passengers and crew, and more than 500 cars. There will be 440 cabins including luxury suites with private balconies, as well as a choice of deluxe and standard class accommodation.