Perks per Share

LSE: ICGC

Irish Continental Group

Irish Ferries shareholder discount

What shareholders get Up to 20% off

Discounted Irish Ferries crossings.

1,000 shares or more

Irish Continental Group runs Irish Ferries, carrying passengers and cars between Ireland, Britain and France. Its ships include Ulysses and W.B. Yeats.

AvailabilityICG’s pending takeover would transfer the shares covered by the scheme to Bluefin BidCo for cash, ending those holders’ share ownership. The court hearing is set for 10 November 2026; completion is expected in November, subject to conditions. Do not assume the shareholder discount continues after your shares transfer. Confirm eligibility with Irish Ferries before relying on it for later travel.

What you get

Shareholders get 20% off Ireland–Britain and France–Britain passenger and car fares and 10% off direct Ireland–France passenger and car fares.

Maximum discounts

ICG describes these percentages as the maximum discounts available on any one booking. It decides the eligibility and discount granted.

What it takes

You need at least 1,000 shares.

Corporate shareholders and companions

ICG lets a corporate shareholder nominate one employee; the benefit cannot pass between employees. Ask Irish Ferries how to register that nomination. The terms do not say whether a shareholder’s companions also get the discount.

The shareholder must be one of the travellers.

Before buyingA perk is a minor benefit of owning a share, not a reason to buy one. Share prices fall as well as rise, and dealing costs, spreads and tax can exceed a perk’s value. Read about the risks.

Holding through a broker

Shares held in your own name qualify.

Nominee holders must provide proof of ownership.

ICG’s current website terms and Irish Ferries’ booking instructions provide a route for shares held through a broker’s nominee. Their opening wording and ICG’s 2025 annual report still describe the offer as for registered shareholders. Confirm acceptance with Irish Ferries before relying on the discount. Separately, ask your broker whether it can supply the required holding evidence.

Irish Continental Group does not say whether ISA or SIPP holdings qualify.

How to claim

Nominee holders need a broker letter or statement dated within the last three months confirming their ICG shareholding. Direct holders supply their Shareholder Reference Number from registrar correspondence. ICG says old paper certificates no longer prove ownership; a current Statement of Holding is available from Computershare.

  1. 1. Book your crossing onlineUse Irish Ferries’ website and make the booking in the normal way. Book in advance; sailings are subject to available space.
  2. 2. Email your booking and proofSend your booking reference and holding evidence to the shareholder team when you book. Follow the deadlines below if you already have a booking.
  3. 3. Receive the adjustmentIrish Ferries refunds the card used for a fully paid booking. For a Dublin–Cherbourg booking with a balance outstanding, it reduces that balance.

Book with Irish Ferries 

Irish Ferries shareholder team - Booking reference, holding evidence and discount queries: shareholders@irishferries.com

Irish Ferries Customer Support - Package bookings and enquiries: +353 1 607 5700

Exclusions and limits

Excluded: Environmental charges, administration charges and dues; Commercial vehicles and onboard purchases; Other carriers’ or tour operators’ services offered through Irish Ferries.

Usage limits: No limit on discounted trips while the scheme operates.

The offer cannot be combined with other discounts.

Dates

The published terms do not say when you must own the shares, how long you must hold them or when the benefit expires.

Claim deadline
Apply when you book and before outbound travel. For an existing booking with a balance due, ICG’s terms require the application 10 days before the final payment date. Paid bookings may qualify for a refund, but Irish Ferries does not apply discounts after travel.

Practical notes

Compare the final fare

A promotional fare may cost less than the shareholder fare. Compare the total payable, including fees, because the shareholder discount cannot combine with other offers.

What the fare discount covers

ICG includes port-to-port passenger and vehicle transport, cabin accommodation, leisure trailers and caravans, motorcycles and bicycles.

Package holidays use separate terms

Ask Irish Ferries for the package price by phone. ICG advertises a separate package discount, but its terms exclude the transport element without explaining how it calculates that discount.

History of the perk

  1. Earlier ferry discounts

    ICG’s 2016 annual report describes the scheme at 3 March 2017: a 1,000-share threshold, 20% off Ireland–Britain crossings and 10% off direct Ireland–France sailings. The 2022 report also lists Britain–France in the higher discount band. The reports do not say when the scheme began.