Is the 1 hour difference between WBY and Stena Horizon because  WBY is a faster ship?

Speed and  distance , Dublin is only 67 nautical miles further from Cherbourg ,

On Monday's sailing WB Yeats was an hour late into Cherbourg on Tuesday, and a similar amount on a return trip we did at the end of May.

Cost per combined passenger and freight unit will be lower when she is full.

WBY would have to be going some to be more cost efficient than a Visentini.

Thats why Epsilon will run on the Dublin - Cherbourg during the winter.

you still have to get to rosslare.

The M11 will soon open up as far as Oilgate later this year, and environmental impact investigations will start soon for the last leg to Rosslare. Such investment suggests someone has got faith in Rosslare as a valuable port. Also saves extra four hours on ferry to France, even quicker if Roscoff is in the equation.

Relatively recently a lovely road to Larne was built which resulted in a total of zero extra services and no increase in demand either to speak of.  Its also closer to Scotland than Belfast  .  Don't underestimate how much most people value the convenience of a port near their doorstep.  In fact, is that not what this whole Ireland to France "debate" is all about - people in Wexford and other places convenient to Rosslare not being happy because they have to do what people in Dublin (which is by far the largest population centre in the country, not to mention its convenience for those of us to its North) have had to do all along?  The new road argument could be flipped on its head as making it easier for people around Rosslare to get to the Dublin services anyway!

It only takes a look at a population density map to see why Dublin has been chosen by Irish Ferries now they have got the crossing time down to a similar duration (as well as why Dublin appears to get more investment)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Population_density_of_Ireland_map2002.svg

That doesn't mean that there should be no investment in Rosslare at all either as there is obviously still demand there for services to Great Britain, just not enough for two services to France plus the services from Cork and Dublin!  There is only so much traffic to go around.

In any case, was this thread not supposed to be about investment in Rosslare rather than moaning about Dublin? 

Whilst the M-way argument does work both ways, the access/egress to Dublin is appalling. The queues for the tunnel, the badly maintained approach roads, lots more HGV traffic, nowhere to park up if you're early, and no services bar for the terminal. Plus the WBY never arrives on time, and I don't mean by a few minutes (been on it three times this year and been an hour late at least even in good weather). Anyway why did IF dock the WBY at Rosslare as its' first stop in Ireland?

Whilst the M-way argument does work both ways, the access/egress to Dublin is appalling. The queues for the tunnel, the badly maintained approach roads, lots more HGV traffic, nowhere to park up if you're early, and no services bar for the terminal. Plus the WBY never arrives on time, and I don't mean by a few minutes (been on it three times this year and been an hour late at least even in good weather). Anyway why did IF dock the WBY at Rosslare as its' first stop in Ireland?

It is possible that the WB will in the future provide cover for the IOI when she is dry docked, she was never intended to provide a Ireland France service from Rosslare.

Whilst the M-way argument does work both ways, the access/egress to Dublin is appalling. The queues for the tunnel, the badly maintained approach roads, lots more HGV traffic, nowhere to park up if you're early, and no services bar for the terminal.

Sums it up for me. I live in Cork so the drive to either Dublin or Rosslare is much of a much really but Rosslare is a much more pleasant experience for the reasons you,ve outlined.

Irish Ferries are learning some leasons with WB Yeats configuration on Dublin Cherbourg, Its not as suited to holiday traffic as Oscar Wilde. 

Dont be surpised if they have a 2nd vessel more suited to tourist traffic operating out of rosslare next summer.

Two massive road projects had major milestones last weekend, as mentioned the M11 now starts just North of Oylegate, giving a journey time of 1hr30mins from South Dublin to Rosslare and the RFK bridge in New Ross had the deck completed with final concrete pour, linking Kilkenny and Wexford counties.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/bridging-the-barrow-irelands-longest-bridge-is-now-almost-complete-38333123.html

What has this got to do with a Rosslare ? It brings Rosslare closer to the rest of Ireland and will make it a more competitive destination for the ferry operators.

Depending on traffic to get from say Rathfarnham to Dublin port can take 45 minutes to an hour if you go M50, going through city center not really an option any more, to get to Rosslare is only 30 minutes more, with a far more relaxing terminal area and port arrival.

When the New Ross bypass opens the last major pinch point on the road from Cork to Rosslare will be gone (except Killeagh and Castlemartyr) making it easier again to travel on the Southern route.

Rosslare port needs to capitalize on these road improvements and start advertising the benefits for self loading freight ie regular cars and passengers !

Irish Ferries are learning some leasons with WB Yeats configuration on Dublin Cherbourg, Its not as suited to holiday traffic as Oscar Wilde. 

Dont be surpised if they have a 2nd vessel more suited to tourist traffic operating out of rosslare next summer.

One "lesson" they are learning is they have Epsilon's freight capacity with significant passenger capacity but only have to pay the running costs of one ship instead of two!  A Ro-Pax like W.B YEATS has a lot less costs in terms of overheads than a vessel such as Oscar Wilde.  The design of W.B. YEATS was very deliberate and is much about minimising costs.

As for a second vessel "more suited to holiday traffic", from where?

More on Rosslare and Brexit

https://www.wexfordpeople.ie/is-rosslare-ready-for-brexit-38356302.html

In the light of the news from Rosslare regarding Brittany Ferries moving in and the sense that things are moving there I took a look at their website. Unfortunately no improvements here, it still lists Oscar Wilde as operating from the port.

http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/

Time for an upgrade?

And the Lynx 1,  KB and Inisfree are still listed

Would be nice to see a new or at least an updated website at some point. Surely this is a negative aspect as people wishing to use this port have no idea as to what the actual routes are served from Rosslare. Also would be nice to hear as to what upgrades are to be made and when will this upgrades come into place

It is unprofessional for the official website promoting Rosslare Europort to be allowed to misrepresent certain aspects of the port's current offerings.

Irish Ferries
former Rosslare to Cherbourg route    (last operated in 2018)
AND
former Rosslare to Roscoff route         (last operated in 2018)
should both be removed UNLESS they intend resuming these services during 2020

Also, I gather the vessel the former MV Oscar Wilde used on the legacy routes operated by Irish Ferries was apparently sold in April 2019 so; I cannot understand why the website: http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/shipping_services/ continues to reference it as it no longer applies as a route option for freight/leisure customers following an announcement made by Irish Ferries in December, 2018. I appreciate that some details can take some time to be updated on corporate websites but this time delay is inexcusable and confusing for visitors who may not be familiar with the current set-up at Rosslare Europort in recent times.

What else is obsolete and outdated on this site one would have to wonder?

Having looked at the site, it seems extremely old-fashioned in terms of design & layout and I'm not confident it is always kept up to date in terms of latest traffic alerts/advisories in real time. Rosslare Europort should use this opportunity to showcase it's positive strengths by updating all relevant details to reflect it's purpose in 2020 and I reckon they should completely overhaul their entire website presence to convey a modern offering to existing & potential users in both business freight & leisure sectors. 

Sources:
https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/inexplicable-anger-over-decision-to-cancel-rosslare-france-ferry-service-37640138.html

https://www.niferry.co.uk/irish-ferries-oscar-wilde-sold/

http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/