Cookie Policy

Last updated: May 18, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to irishz-ferries.com. This Cookie Policy has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR"), the Data Protection Acts 1988–2018, and the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 336 of 2011), which implement the EU ePrivacy Directive into Irish law.

When you visit our website at irishz-ferries.com, we may place small data files called "cookies" on your device. This policy explains what cookies are, which cookies we use, why we use them, and how you can control or disable them. We encourage you to read this policy carefully so that you can make informed decisions about your privacy while using our travel booking and information services.

As a travel services website operating in Ireland, we are subject to oversight by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) of Ireland, which is our lead supervisory authority under the GDPR.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used across the internet to make websites work more efficiently, to enhance user experience, and to provide information to website owners and operators.

Cookies are created by your web browser and stored on your device at the request of a website. They allow the website to "remember" your actions or preferences over a period of time, so you do not have to re-enter information each time you visit the site or navigate between pages.

Cookies can be classified in several ways:

• Session Cookies: These are temporary cookies that are deleted from your device when you close your web browser. They are used to maintain your session while you navigate through our website, such as keeping your travel booking details intact as you move between pages.
• Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period of time or until you manually delete them. They help us recognise you as a returning visitor and remember your preferences.
• First-Party Cookies: These are cookies set directly by irishz-ferries.com when you visit our website.
• Third-Party Cookies: These are cookies set by external services or platforms whose features are embedded within our website, such as Google Analytics or advertising networks.

In addition to cookies, we may also use similar tracking technologies such as web beacons (also known as pixel tags), local storage, and session storage. This policy covers all such technologies collectively referred to as "cookies."

3. How Do Cookies Work?

When you first visit irishz-ferries.com, a cookie consent banner will appear, asking for your permission to place non-essential cookies on your device. If you accept all cookies, we will store cookies from all categories described below. If you decline or customise your preferences, only essential cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of our website will be placed.

Each cookie contains a small amount of data, which may include a unique identifier, the name of the website it belongs to, the duration of the cookie, and a value. This data is transmitted between your browser and our web server (or a third-party server) so that the website can recognise your device and provide a personalised or functional experience.

It is important to note that cookies do not contain personal information such as your name, address, or payment details. However, in combination with other data we hold about you, certain cookies may be used to identify you as an individual, and therefore constitute personal data under the GDPR.

4. Types of Cookies We Use

We categorise the cookies used on irishz-ferries.com into four main types, as described below:

4.1 Strictly Necessary / Essential Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our website and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are typically set in response to actions you take on the website, such as logging in, filling in booking forms, or setting your privacy preferences. Without these cookies, services you have asked for — such as searching for ferry routes, completing a travel booking, or accessing your account — cannot be provided. These cookies do not require your prior consent under Irish and EU law as they are strictly necessary.

4.2 Analytics / Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits to our website and measure how visitors find and interact with our content, so we can improve the performance and usability of irishz-ferries.com. They help us understand which pages are the most and least popular, how long visitors spend on each page, and whether visitors encounter any errors. All data collected by these cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous. We use Google Analytics for this purpose.

4.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable our website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have integrated into our website. They allow us to remember your language preferences, the port or route you most recently searched, and other customisations that enhance your experience when booking travel with us. If you disable these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

4.4 Advertising / Targeting Cookies

These cookies are placed by us or our advertising partners and are used to display relevant advertisements about our travel services on other websites and platforms you visit. They track your browsing habits across different websites to build a profile of your interests and show you targeted advertisements. We use Google Ads for this purpose. These cookies also help us measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. Disabling these cookies will not stop you from seeing advertisements, but they will be less tailored to your interests.

5. Specific Cookies Used on irishz-ferries.com

The table below lists the specific cookies currently used on our website, along with their purpose, type, and duration:

6. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

Under Irish and EU law, specifically the GDPR and the ePrivacy Regulations (S.I. No. 336 of 2011), we are required to have a valid legal basis before placing cookies on your device (except for strictly necessary cookies).

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are deployed on the legal basis of legitimate interest and operational necessity. They do not require your consent as they are essential to the provision of the service you have requested.
• Analytics, Functional, and Advertising Cookies: These are deployed only on the basis of your freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent, as required by Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. You can withdraw your consent at any time (see Section 8 below).

7. Third-Party Cookies and Services

Some cookies on our website are placed by third-party providers whose services we have integrated to enhance our website's functionality and performance. These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies, which we encourage you to review:

• Google Analytics: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
• Google Ads / DoubleClick: Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
• Facebook (Meta): Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland. Privacy Policy: facebook.com/privacy/policy

We do not control these third-party cookies and are not responsible for the privacy practices of these providers. By accepting non-essential cookies on our website, you agree to the placement of third-party cookies as described in this policy.

8. How to Manage and Control Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can exercise your cookie preferences in the following ways:

8.1 Our Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit irishz-ferries.com, a cookie consent banner will be displayed. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customise your preferences by category (analytics, functional, advertising). You can revisit and change your consent preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link found in the footer of our website.

8.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookie settings through your browser preferences. You can set your browser to block cookies, delete existing cookies, or notify you when a cookie is being set. Please note that blocking all cookies, including essential cookies, may affect the functionality of our website and prevent you from completing a booking or using certain features.

For instructions on how to manage cookies in the most commonly used browsers, please follow the links below:

• Google Chrome: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
• Mozilla Firefox: support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences
• Microsoft Edge: support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge
• Apple Safari: support.apple.com/en-ie/guide/safari
• Opera: help.opera.com/en/latest/web-preferences/#cookies

8.3 Opt-Out Tools Provided by Third Parties

You can also opt out of specific third-party tracking and advertising cookies by using the opt-out tools provided by those third parties:

• Google Analytics Opt-Out: You can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent your data from being collected by Google Analytics: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Google Ads Personalisation: You can manage or opt out of Google's personalised advertising at: adssettings.google.com
• Facebook / Meta Ad Preferences: You can manage your advertising preferences on Facebook at: facebook.com/adpreferences
• Your Online Choices (European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance): You can opt out of interest-based advertising from multiple advertisers at once at: youronlinechoices.com/ie
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): optout.networkadvertising.org

9. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have every right to restrict or disable cookies, please be aware that doing so may impact your experience on irishz-ferries.com in the following ways:

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 16 years. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children through the use of cookies or other tracking technologies. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided personal data to us through our website, please contact us using the details below so that we can take appropriate action.

11. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies and tracking technologies we use, changes to our services, or changes in applicable Irish and EU law. When we make material changes to this policy, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you through the website or by email.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies. Your continued use of irishz-ferries.com after any changes to this policy constitutes your acknowledgment of the updated policy.

12. Your Rights Under GDPR and Irish Data Protection Law

To the extent that cookies on our website collect personal data, you have the following rights under the GDPR and the Data Protection Acts 1988–2018:

• Right of Access: You have the right to request a copy of any personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that inaccurate personal data be corrected.
• Right to Erasure: You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Right to Restriction of Processing: You have the right to request that we limit the processing of your personal data.
• Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes or where we rely on legitimate interests as our legal basis.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we process your personal data on the basis of your consent (including the use of non-essential cookies), you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, or if you have a complaint about how we handle your personal data, please contact us using the details provided below. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission (DPC), which is the supervisory authority for data protection in Ireland:

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies and tracking technologies on irishz-ferries.com, please do not hesitate to contact us using the details below: