The Royal Iris of the Mersey, a beloved ferry linking Liverpool and Wirral for 66 years, has sailed on its final voyage, marking the end of an era.

Formerly known as Mountwood, the vessel was renamed in 2002 after a major refurbishment and has since featured in BBC programs such as Peaky Blinders and The Liver Birds.

Its most storied moments include a 1,500-mile round trip to London via Land’s End in 1985 and a connection to the Beatles, even mentioned in Paul McCartney’s That Was Me.

passengers recount the service as an integral part of Liverpool’s daily life and water-crossing history.

On normal duties, the ferry operates a direct 10-minute route from Pier Head to Seacombe, with a licensed capacity for thousands of passengers.

The Royal Iris’s long service and television appearances have made it a symbol of Liverpool’s cultural and historical identity.

Historical context notes Mersey river crossings date back to at least the 12th century, with Domesday Book references and monks from Birkenhead Priory operating ferries to Liverpool’s markets.

Domesday Book entries from 1086 document river services, with Benedictine monks establishing regular ferries to Liverpool’s markets in the 12th century.

The Royal Iris offered onboard amenities like a dance floor, stage, tea room, buffet, and later a steak bar, earning the nickname “the fish and chip boat.”

The ship also sailed on the Manchester Ship Canal and has appeared in BBC productions, linking it to Liverpool’s maritime heritage.

Mersey ferries have operated for over 800 years, including royal crossings from Birkenhead to Liverpool.

Farewell celebrations highlighted the ferry’s historic journeys, including carrying Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1977 and participating in the 2012 Olympic Torch relay.