Ferry cancellation/delay compensation

edtheduck7

Some help please. I know this isn’t flight delay but hope there’s some experts on here that can advise on this too.
I sailed from Irish republic to France in March 2023. Brittany ferries notified me of a cancellation 5 days in advance of my return journey, necessitating an additional 3 day stay with no assistance from them - I’m seeking to reclaim costs. Several emails have led to nothing.

I live in Northern Ireland - some things still EU, some things UK, some things NI.

I booked on Irish website where terms and conditions say any issues must be dealt with in Irish courts( didn’t notice this until complaint)
All the email communications I had from BF when complaining came from a UK email with the Plymouth address as a signature.
so on my small claims, I used the Plymouth address.

They’re disputing claim due to weather and fact t + c say Irish courts.

Im using Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004.
where do I now stand?
1 court date in June so should I go ahead with it? 
2 chances of success?
3 if not successful can I make a claim using Irish small claims?

Any solid  advice much appreciated please. 

Thanks