Do I need a passport to travel to Rep. of Ireland on a ferry? I can't find my passport!

[MisterMist]

Just that really.
I don't think they've ever asked for passports even since Brexit but not sure.
I have a driving licence.

I know someone who went recently, passports didn’t arrive in time to fly so they went on the ferry - so guessing they’re not needed

We were asked for them at Dublin port at Christmas. That was the 1st time

Photo ID is fine, so driving licence instead of passport. Not sure about now, but rare they ask to see anything whenever I've gone over on the boat

When we travelled they didn't ask for them. I was raging as I'd spent £70 on a doggy passport too!

I think, from looking online, the general consensus seems to be that they are not mandatory for travel on Stena or Irish Ferries and that a driving licence will suffice.
Which is a good job as there's no sign of my passport and the waiting time for a replacement is 8 weeks and we're travelling at the end of July!

Should be OK. I uses a work ID cars one year. Had my photo on it. Driving licence should be grand.

Hi, planning to drive over to UK (dublin-holyhead) for an overnight trip. My sons passport is not available and he has no other photo ID. He is over 18. How often do they ask for passports recently? We can take his expired passport, photo of current one, birth cert. Would they give us hassle if they did stop us? Can only remember being stopped once when driving over. Is there an actual legal requirement to carry a photo ID since there is a common travel area?

Don't the Garda issue a proof of age photo ID for young ppl 18 x over? For pubs etc. They used to do them.

DH was over and back in September and didnt get asked for passport or driver's license.

The UK/Ireland Common Travel Area predates the EU and is not dependant on it. Photo ID is required but this doesn’t need to be a passport. I have never been asked to show my passport, even when I flew last time. Actually when we landed back at Gatwick last time no one even checked my ID worryingly.

Went last week. Came back at the weekend. No check. I had both UK and Irish passport at the ready. Not asked. Two people travelling with me, one of whom is Irish (UK resident) only had their respective driving licenses. They weren't asked. They've been 3 times this year. Never asked.

According to this article you do need a passport when traveling to Ireland: https://www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk/blog/ferry-ireland-budget-how-get-cheap-ferries-ireland-uk

Why worrying?

Presumably you showed your passport when boarding? so no need for a second passport check in the Common Travel Area.

According to the Irish government you don't

https://www.ireland.com/en-gb/help-and-advice/practical-information/visas-and-passports/#:~:text=UK%20citizens%20don't%20need,can%20use%20official%20photo%20identification.&text=EU%20nationals%20can%20use%20a,enter%20the%20Republic%20of%20Ireland.

Nope. You don’t need one to fly either, although some airlines insist on it (BA don’t).

You could well be caught in the trap of it not being essential BUT your ferry operator wants to see it. I have travelled extensively and its horribly confusing regarding what is required. 100ml bottles in clear bag, take them out for review sperately but sometimes dont.. Its a mess. Why dont you apply for a passport NOW anyway. I hear they are coming back quickly providing that you fill in the form correctly

Probably because the op travelled 2 years ago.

I applied on line to replace my out of date passport three weeks ago. No changes to it. I applied on a Monday, posted my old passport off the same day.
I received my new passport on Saturday, six days later. My old passport came back on the Monday.
I couldn't believe it!

Oh yes. Old thread

Zombie thread...

Seeing as someone has resurrected this thread.
The last couple of times I have travelled from Holyhead to Dublin port they have asked for passports at both ends.
I don't know what would happen if you didn't have them, presumably a driving licence would do but I'd rather not take the chance.

You have plenty of time to get a replacement

I did find my passport so didn't need a replacement.
I should have said that the last two times I travelled to Ireland was in 2022 & 2023.