Business
A glimpse of the new ferry soon to serve Pembrokeshire as it arrives in Ireland
DUBLIN Port proudly greeted the arrival of its newest vessel, named ‘Oscar Wilde,’ in a time-honored maritime ceremony earlier today. This magnificent addition to the Irish Ferries fleet is set to commence operations on the highly anticipated Rosslare-Pembroke route soon, the Herald understands.
Originally named the STAR and built in Finland in 2007 at the same renowned dockyard as the ULYSSES for Tallink Grupp, this magnificent ship has now been renamed the ‘Oscar Wilde.’
Setting new standards in passenger cruise ferries on the Irish Sea, the ‘Oscar Wilde’ boasts impressive features and specifications. With a capacity to accommodate over 2,080 passengers and offering 134 cabins, it ensures a comfortable and luxurious journey for all on board. Moreover, its substantial space of over 2,380 lane meters can effortlessly accommodate cars, coaches, and freight vehicles.

Duty-free shopping enthusiasts will be thrilled to discover that the ‘Oscar Wilde’ offers the largest shopping area on any cruise ferry sailing the Irish Sea. Covering an impressive 17,000 square feet, this shopping destination will delight travelers on the Ireland-UK route.
Step inside the ship’s interiors and you’ll be greeted by a classic yet modern ambiance. The ‘Oscar Wilde’ is equipped with a range of amenities to cater to various passenger needs, including Freight Drivers facilities, a Club Class lounge, a self-service restaurant, an à la carte restaurant, a bar, gaming facilities, pet facilities, and a children’s play area, ensuring a family-friendly experience for all.
What truly sets the ‘Oscar Wilde’ apart is its impressive speed. Capable of reaching a top speed of 27.5 knots, it is not only the fastest cruise ferry on the Irish Sea but also offers the largest passenger capacity. This exceptional speed ensures that Irish Ferries can provide tourism passengers and freight with an efficient and reliable service, ensuring their smooth journey to their desired destinations.

Andrew Sheen, the Managing Director of Irish Ferries, expressed his delight about the new addition, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome the ‘Oscar Wilde’ to our fleet. This magnificent ship will offer our passengers and freight drivers unparalleled comfort, speed, and amenities. Coupled with the advantages of ferry travel, such as no luggage restrictions or security queues, we are confident that the ‘Oscar Wilde’ will quickly become a customer favorite. We eagerly look forward to welcoming our passengers on board.”
Starting in early June, the ‘Oscar Wilde’ will begin operating on the Rosslare-Pembroke route, taking over from the chartered BLUE STAR 1 for the busy summer season. Bookings for the new ship are now open on www.irishferries.com, with fares starting from just €246 or £206 for a return journey with a car and one adult. With its remarkable size, speed, and array of facilities, the ‘Oscar Wilde’ is poised to be the ultimate choice for travelers venturing between Ireland and the UK on the southern corridor between Wales and Ireland this summer.
Irish Ferries continues to elevate the travel experience by introducing the magnificent ‘Oscar Wilde’ to its fleet, ensuring that passengers enjoy unparalleled comfort, convenience, and a journey filled with unforgettable moments.

Business
Caws Cenarth celebrates growing success with Tesco partnership
WEST WALES cheesemaker Caws Cenarth is celebrating a successful first few months in Tesco stores after its artisan cheeses were launched into the retailer’s Grab and Go range.
The award-winning family business, based in Carmarthenshire, says strong customer demand has followed the launch in selected large Tesco stores across Wales.
The range includes Thelma’s Original Caerffili PGI, Perl Wen, Cenarth Brie and Perl Las, which have proved popular with shoppers looking for high-quality Welsh produce in a convenient format.

Business growth
The success has marked a significant step forward for Caws Cenarth, which has expanded its team and appointed Paul Garnish as Commercial Director to support continued growth.
He will work on strengthening retail partnerships, identifying new opportunities and building on the momentum created by the Tesco launch.
Founded in West Wales, Caws Cenarth has built a reputation for producing artisan cheeses using locally sourced milk and traditional cheesemaking techniques.
The company says the Tesco partnership reflects growing appetite among customers for premium Welsh produce that combines quality, convenience and strong local provenance.
Tesco praise
Tesco Wales buyer Nathan Edwards said: “We’re delighted to see Caws Cenarth go from strength to strength with their artisan cheeses in our Grab and Go range.
“Customers are increasingly looking for high-quality, locally sourced options, and this success is a fantastic example of how Welsh suppliers like Caws Cenarth are meeting these needs.
“Caws Cenarth’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality really stands out, and we’re proud to support their continued growth.”

‘Just the beginning’
Caws Cenarth Managing Director Carwyn Adams said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how our cheeses have been received by Tesco customers.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see more people enjoying what we do, especially as a family business rooted in West Wales.
“We’ve always believed in making cheese the right way – with care, quality ingredients and respect for tradition – and it’s exciting to be able to share that with a wider audience.
“This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum.”
The partnership forms part of Tesco’s wider commitment to supporting local suppliers and bringing regional produce to customers across the UK.

Business
Tudor Glen Caravan Park Pembrokeshire planning call
A CALL for a Pembrokeshire caravan site to be allowed static caravans in lieu of touring ones, which the applicant says was allowed back in 1988, has been submitted to the national park.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Keith Stevens of Tudor Glen Caravan Park, Jameston, through agent Lambe Planning & Design Ltd, seeks a certificate of lawfulness of an existing use of the site to establish the status of a 1988 planning permission.
Essentially what that means is the applicant is seeking confirmation of details of that permission as to whether it includes static or touring caravans.
A supporting statement says: “Tudor Glen Caravan Park is a long-established family owned and operated Holiday Park. The Park extends to approximately six acres and caters for families within static caravans, touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.
“The Park is exceptionally well run and achieved the 2025 runner up award for Best Family Campsite South Wales. The Park has a range of modern purpose-built facilities including a heated swimming pool, laundrette, dedicated play area, games room and full amenity facilities.”
Covering the 1988 approval of removing two previous conditions connected to the site, granting permission for up to 50 caravans and occupancy of March 1 to January 9, it says: “It does not stipulate that the caravans must be removed from the site during the ‘close period’ as would be the case if the consent related to touring caravans,” adding: “It is therefore clear that the intentions of that planning application and the consent granted relates to the siting of up to 50 caravans and not specifically touring caravans.
“If that consent were to be partially restricted to touring, a touring condition would have been imposed and / or a condition requiring that the caravans must be removed from the site during a close period – it doesn’t.”
It concludes: “Whilst the park has been operated on the basis of providing both Static Caravan and Touring Caravan Pitches, [the 1988] Planning Approval clearly gives permission for any type of caravan which complies with the Legal Definition of a Caravan.
“That permission does not restrict the type of unit to either static or touring caravans and does not restrict the layout of the holiday park it is therefore concluded that [the 1988 permission] allows for the siting of any unit which complies with the legal definition of a caravan, and does not restrict the layout or location of the units.
“The applicant therefore seeks confirmation from the LPA to that effect via this Certificate of Lawful (proposed) Use application.”
The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.
Business
Pembrokeshire Lydstep Beach Village development refused
A CALL for an extra sign advertising a Pembrokeshire holiday park, adding to exiting unauthorised ones, which planners say would create “visual clutter and intrusion” and a distraction to drivers, has been refused.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, permission was sought, through Lakeside Signs Limited, for an additional sign advertising Haven’s Lydstep Beach Village, near Tenby, the sign proposed for North Lodge where the holiday park joins the main road.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s highways authority raised no concerns regarding the specific location of the sign, but said “there remains a broader concern regarding the cumulative impact of signage along this section of highway,” adding: “The increasing proliferation of signs in this location has the potential to create a visually cluttered environment, which may distract drivers and, in turn, give rise to road safety implications.”
A Park officer report recommending refusal said: “Currently, there are eight flagpoles, one A-frame banner type sign, one pole mounted panel sign, and a further panel sign, located behind the stone wall on the western side of the park’s entrance. None of these advertisements have the benefit of advertisement consent.”
It added: “The increasing number of signs in this location has the potential to create a distraction to drivers, which may result in road safety implications. In addition, the proliferation of signage would create clutter that would result in visual intrusion in this countryside location affecting amenity. As such, the recommendation is to refuse.”
It went on to say: “Whilst it is not deemed that the proposed advertisement would result in harm being caused to the specific special qualities of this area, there are concerns that the display of this advertisement would, along with the remainder of the advertisements, which are unauthorised, result in a proliferation of advertisements, which in turn would cause visual clutter and intrusion.
“This is especially problematic in a countryside location where development is strictly controlled. Should the existing signage be consolidated and rationalised, the Authority may support the proposed sign, however, currently, any additional signage would not be deemed appropriate.”
The application was refused on the grounds that it would, along with the exiting signage, “result in visual clutter and intrusion which would detract from the visual amenity of this countryside location, and would result in potential distraction to drivers, which in turn would rise to road safety implications”.
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