Ei2GBW concluded operations on 2 April 2010 after eight months on the air and is no longer active. QSL cards have been sent via the bureau to all stations worked and our log has been uploaded to LoTW. Thank you for your interest in our special event operations.

Fastnet Line reinstituted ferry service between Cork and Swansea in March 2010. The Ei2GBW and GB2EI special event stations celebrate the return of this historical link between Ireland and Wales.

Ferry service between Cork and Wales began in 1896 and ceased 110 years later in 2006 when the previous operator of the service was unable to replace its ferry ship. A new operator, Fastnet Line, was formed by local business leaders in early 2009. MV Julia, Fastnet Line's new cruise ferry, is pictured below on her maiden trip up the River Lee to Cork City on 25 September 2009. Next to her in the picture is Blackrock Castle, built in the early 17th century to protect Cork harbour.

From 1896 until 1983, this historical ferry link between Cork and Wales was served by five successive ships named Innisfallen. The front of our QSL cards, pictured at the top of this page, features the third Innisfallen (1948 to 1967) as she appeared in an original 1948 postcard commissioned by the operator. This ship, known affectionately to locals as D'Innis, brought a new style and class to the route.

The fourth Innisfallen, pictured below on her launch day, was in service from 1969 to 1980. She was purpose-built for the run between Cork and Wales and sailed seven days each week. After transferring service from Fishguard to Swansea, she connected with fast trains running from Swansea to London. In another novel feature, motorists could now drive straight off on arrival--one of the early RO/RO ferries. Perhaps the most famous of the ships called Innisfallen, she displaced 4,848 gross tons and had a service speed of 24 1/2 knots. She was the fastest ferry in the world when she entered service.

It was originally hoped that the Julia would become the sixth Innisfallen, but the costs of changing the name outweigh any benefits. Julia is a massive 21,699 gross tons with ten decks and five restaurants. Regular service began with the 10 March departure from Swansea. For more information on the grass roots initiative that brought back the ferry, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDxb2vBHE_U , which is an RTE Radio interview with Paul O'Brien, general manager of the West Cork Tourism Co-op.

Ei2GBW is QRV from time to time through 2 April 2010 and GB2EI through 30 April 2010. See below for operating locations. Unfortunately, special G2YC/MM operations planned aboard MV Julia have been canceled. This is because of concerns that an Irish Department of Transportation offical had that an amateur radio station could interfere with the ship's communications systems. Despite full support of the ship's company and permission from the master to operate from the ship's radio room, G2YC/MM operations aboard Julia had to be canceled.

QSL cards are sent to all stations we work via the bureau. Direct cards are no longer available. We do not use eQSL but hope to upload our log to LoTW after operations have ceased.

If you work both Ei2GBW and GB2EI, then send us an email with details of both QSOs for a special certificate, the Spirit of Innisfallen Award, pictured below. This is a pdf document that will be emailed to you for printing by you at your convenience.

Ei2GBW operators are John Ei9JO in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry (IO41VW), Tim Ei2KA in Baltimore, Co. Cork (IO51HL), Conor Ei4JN in Templemartin, Co. Cork (IO51OT) and a few others. GB2EI operator is Philip GW4HAT in Swansea (IO81AP).

Thanks for looking us up and hope to work you soon.

73 from the special event team Ei2GBW

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