The Department for Infrastructure has confirmed an extended summer timetable for the Rathlin Island Ferry Service in 2026, adding weekend crossings specifically requested by island residents and hospitality workers. Running from early April through September, the schedule aims to support the island’s tourism sector while addressing practical transport needs for local workers.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced that the service will operate from Friday 3 April to Wednesday 30 September 2026, maintaining the additional Saturday and Sunday morning crossings introduced last year following community consultation.
Additional Weekend Services for Hospitality Workers
The 2026 timetable includes an extra return crossing every weekend morning, departing Rathlin at 8:30am and Ballycastle at 9:30am. These sailings were added after ferry operator Dunaverty Ltd consulted with the Rathlin Development Community Association (RDCA), with respondents highlighting the need for early weekend transport to accommodate staff working in the island’s hospitality industry.
- Summer season: Friday 3 April – Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Additional crossings: Every Saturday and Sunday morning
- Departure times: 8:30am from Rathlin, 9:30am from Ballycastle
- Operator: Dunaverty Ltd (contract extended to July 2027)
Minister Praises Community-Driven Approach
Minister Kimmins emphasised that the extended timetable demonstrates the Department’s commitment to responding to community feedback. She said:
“I am happy to confirm this new summer schedule to help address needs identified by the community. The additional return crossings will also be an important boost for local tourism and visitors to the island during the busy summer season.
“This extended timetable has come about as a direct result of listening to community feedback and it’s great to see this positive delivery on our Foundations vision.”
The “Foundations for a Better Future” framework establishes seven strategic objectives for the Department, including public transport improvements and addressing regional imbalance.
Recent Fare Increases and Contract Status
The timetable announcement follows a fare increase implemented on 1 February 2026, with the Department stating the rise aligned with Consumer Prices Index inflation. Dunaverty Ltd currently operates the service under a contract extended last year to run until July 2027, following the previous operator entering administration in January 2023.
While the Department has confirmed plans to launch a public procurement process for a new long-term service, details of this tender and its timeline remain unclear. The current contract extension provides continuity, but questions persist about the long-term sustainability of the lifeline service for Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island, which supports approximately 150 residents and welcomes around 40,000 visitors annually.
Unaddressed Issues on Staffing, Accessibility and Procurement
Despite the positive news of extended services, several important considerations remain unaddressed in the Department’s announcement:
- How will the additional weekend crossings be staffed, given previous reports of recruitment difficulties and industrial action involving ferry workers?
- What progress has been made on accessibility improvements recommended by the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (Imtac), which in 2019 identified significant barriers for disabled passengers at Ballycastle Harbour and on board the vessels?
- When will the public procurement process for the new ferry contract begin, and how will the Department ensure island residents have meaningful input into the specification?
- How will the Department monitor whether the February 2026 fare increases disproportionately affect island residents and low-paid hospitality workers who rely on the service?
- What contingency arrangements are in place should the current operator face financial difficulties before the contract ends in July 2027?
The summer timetable represents a tangible improvement for island connectivity, but sustained attention to staffing, accessibility, and long-term procurement will be essential to ensure the ferry service truly serves as a reliable lifeline for the Rathlin community.