Irish Ferries is expecting to carry thousands of Irish sports fans to the UK for the Olympics, with many of them travelling by coach.

During the Olympic Games, up to three Eurolines coaches each day – an increase in capacity of 30 per cent – will depart Dublin, drive onto Irish Ferries ship Ulysses to cross the Irish Sea, and then continue to London.

“The London Olympics are, in effect, also a ‘home’ Olympics for the Irish team,” says Irish Ferries head of passenger sales Declan Mescall, “and it’s clear that large numbers of Irish supporters are travelling to the UK to cheer team Ireland on.”

60 Irish sportsmen and women will compete in 14 different Olympic disciplines, ranging from athletics and swimming to cycling and equestrian.  Irish Olympic team members include Paddy Barnes, a boxer who won Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games.