Following the huge success of Scottish Coastal Steamers now out of print for the fourth time! This brand new, and long awaited companion volume will find a ready marlet amongst both the tourist and general nostalgia market as well as the large enthusiast and shipping industry market.

The social and economic aspects of both cross channel traffic and also local passenger shipping in Ireland, over a period of a century, 1870 - 1970 and beyond. There are studies of ships on both well known services and also of those that operated the lesser runs. It will include some details for boat trains.

Where possible original services will be used. Services to the Isle of Man will feature with particular emphasis to the holiday industry. Ine section will feature the cruises provided by Irish Sea ships at various times, usually to Scotland.

Cargo and livestock sailings have a section of their own. As the majority of previous studies have viewed Irish Sea services from the British view this book includes a greater percentage of Irish sourced material.

Born and raised in the West of Scotland Brian Patton's ancestor' on his father's side were of Irish descent - coming from Newry and Strabane. As a child and during his working life Brian has been a regular traveller across the Irish Sea both for pleasure, visiting relations, and on business.