City buses and trains for Christmas 2014 / New Year 2015

The following information is for 2014. 

Click here for current year details.

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A summary of Galway City bus and train services for the over the 2014 / 2015 Christmas and New Year period, and links to official announcements from the bus-companies.

See Regional and National Bus Services for Galway, Christmas and New Year 2014 for bus services outside the Galway City area.

Regional and national buses for Christmas 2014 / New Year 2015

The following information is for 2014. 

Click here for current year details.

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Regional bus services in the Galway metropolitan area over the 2014 / 2015 Christmas and New Year period.

See City Bus and Train Services for Galway, Christmas and New Year 2014/15 for inner-city bus and rail service information.

This information is for the Galway area only. 

Service-changes in other areas are not included.

Killarney express service suspended for the winter season

CityLink have announced that the express coach service between Galway City and Killarney, Co Kerry is suspended from 8 December 2014.

A full service will start again on Monday 2 March 2015.

See regional buses for information about other services that travel between Galway and Kerry - usually with a change in Limerick.

Newcastle to Salthill direct bus service for Christmas 2014 exams

City Direct are bus services between the NUIG Student Union and the exam centre in Leisureland, Salthill for the Christmas 2014 exam period (Mon 8th - Fri 19 December).

Non-stop service.

Three times daily (8:40am, 12:10pm and 3:40pm, returning at 11:40am, 3:10pm and 6:40pm)

Fare: €2 per trip.

This is currently the only direct bus service between Salthill and the University.  

See Getting from A-B in Galway for other direct-journey information.

Extra route 411 - Knocknacarra buses for December 2014

City Direct are running extra services on route 411 (Knocknacarra - Galway city via Claddagh, Dominic St, Henry St / The West, UGH / Shantalla, Rahoon and Upper Clybaun Rd), on Sundays for the month of December - as shown below.

See their website for full timetable information, or the Galway City bus summary for other options.

See Galway City park-n-ride for details of other Christmas special services.

Christmas Park and Ride 2014 in Galway City

The information below is correct for Christmas 2014 / New Year 2015 only. 

 See Galway Park-and-ride information for more recent information.

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A park-and-ride service will be in place for the  2014 Christmas shopping period.

It will operate between Saturday 29 November and Wednesday 24 December, inclusive, and is being run on behalf of Galway City Council by Bus Éireann.

On Wednesday 24 Dec, Christmas Eve, the last bus will leave the city-centre in the early evening - the exact time is to be advised, last year it was 5:30pm.

November / December 2014 bus and train fare increases

Details of December 2014 public-transport fare increases for Galway have been released by the National Transport Authority.

These fares apply from 1 December 2014, for the 2015 calendar year.   Monthly and annual ticket prices are being applied during November for tickets that will be used from December.

The Galway City Bus Fares page will be updated with this information shortly.

New Moycullen - Galway City bus service, operated by City Direct

City Direct are running a bus service between Moycullen and Galway City, targetted at commuters and students, from Wednesday 29 October 2014.

Coach-style buses, with wi-fi, will depart from Moycullen and return twice daily, with stops at NUIG and University Hostpial Galway, Newcastle campus.   This is a Monday to Friday only service and operates as route 415.

Bus and train services for the October 2014 Bank Holiday

Monday 27 October 2014 
is a
bank / public holiday in Ireland.

City Bus Services:

Bus Éireann and City Direct will run their their standard Sunday city services in Galway on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 October.

There may be slight delays in the city centre for routes 401, 402, 405 and 407 due to the Halloween Macnas Parade.

Regional Bus Services

A standard Sunday timetable applies for most regional and national public transport services on both Sun and Mon 28/29 October.  However:

• One Bus Éireann  Dundalk / Galway return service is cancelled on Sunday 26th.  

• On Monday 27 October, Bus Éireann will operate a Sunday timetable with various cancellations, additions and time changes.  For details see their announcement.

• Bus Feda have some changes to their services over the weekend - see their announcement for details.

• BusLink will run NiteLink services to/from Athenry on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Daylight Saving officially ends at 2am on Sunday 26th October, when the clocks to back to 1am.   Bus companies that run overnight services have advised customers to adjust their watches at midnight to avoid confusion.

Train services

Irish Rail will run:

• A Sunday service, with two cancellations each way between Dublin and Galway on Sunday 26 October
• A Monday service with a number of cancellations on both the Limerick and Dublin lines on Monday 27th.

For full details, see their October Bank Holiday train timetable, or check their Journey Planner.

Winter timetable for the Killarney to Galway express bus service

CityLink have announced a winter timetable for the express coach service between Galway City and Killarney, Co Kerry, from Wednesday 1 October 2014.

Timetable and route

Services run between the Galway Coach Station and East Avenue in Killarney, with  pick-up / drop-off stops at

• GMIT in Dublin Rd, Galway
• The main bus stop in Farranfore -- this stop is newly added to the timetable.

Between October and February, there will be services on Friday and Sunday only, with two services each day in each direction, at 8:30am and 5:30pm. on those days.

Other options

Currently no other company runs a direct service on this route.   However other regional buses can be used for a non express service with a change in Limerick.

Galway city buses now accept Leap smartcards for fare payments

From Sunday 28 September 2014, the LEAP card will be accepted as a way of paying fares on Galway City bus services.

Buses and trains to the National Ploughing Championships, 2014

The National Ploughing Championships are being held at Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co. Laois  from 23-25 September 2014.

The following companies are providing return services from Galway:

• Irish Rail are offering a combined rail service between Galway and Portarlington, combined with a bus from there to Ratheniska.

• No bus services have been announced as yet - check back for updates. (BusLink ran a service in 2013.)

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.   Festival arrangements are sometimes slightly different.

Services from other towns and cities

• Bus Éireann will run a shuttle service to the site from railway stations at Portlaoise, Portarlington and Athy.  This service is open to motorists and train passengers, and drops off near the gate to the purple car-park.
  
  Note; there is only one shuttle service each day from Athy, meetng the one train from Waterford.
  
  Return buses leave from Ratheniska 30 minutes before the ticketed train time, or 40 minutes for Waterford and Thomastown.

• Irish Rail are offering special fares on rail services:
  From  Dublin, Cork, Ennis and Limerick, and Tralee to Portlaoise,
  From Galway and Westport to Portarlington
  From Waterford to Athy.
  Tickets for these services include Bus Éireann services from the nearest station to Ratheniska.

• Matthews Coaches are running a bus each day from Inniskeen, Dundalk and Drogheda (M1 retail park ).  Pre-booking is essential.

• Collins Coaches Buses on 23, 24 and 25 September, from Monaghan, Clontibret, Annyalla, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross, Ardee.  Book on-line through their website.

• Journey Through Ireland a day tour on 24 September, from Roscommon/ Athlone/ Kilbeggan/ Tullamore. Call +353 (0)46 9-555-444 or mail info@jti.ie

• O'Callaghan Coaches are running day trips each day from Killarney.

• Boyce Travel Centre are running one three day trip from Donegal, leaving on Tuesday and returning on Thursday, includes accommodation.

• East Coast Coaches are running same-day return trips on Tuesday 23rd, from Belfast, stopping at Lisburn, Banbridge, Newry, Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin (N2).   Pre-booking required.

• A2B Buses are running a day trip from Tydavnet, Co Monaghan.

Details of other services will be added as they become available.   Email editor@GalwayTransport.info if you have a scheduled service to add to the list.

Buses to Electric Picnic, 2014

Electric Picnic music / arts / lifestyle festival is being held at Stradbally Estate, County Laois  from Fri 29th - Sun 31 August 2014.

The following companies are providing return bus or coach services from Galway city:

• Reaneys of Galway - are likely to run a service from Galway city, in conjunction with OMG/Zhivago

• Irish Concert Travel - from Galway city direct.

• Bus Éireann will run a bus from Galway city at 12-noon on Friday, returning at 10am on Monday.   Tickets €35 return can only be purchased in advance from Galway Bus Station - online booking is not available.

• Kelly Travel are running a service from Ennis, stopping in Loughrea and Kilbeggan.   This will run if there are enough passengers - book asap to ensure seats..

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Bus Station 
• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.   Festival arrangements are sometimes slightly different.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick, via Dallys Cross, Birdhill, Nenagh, Toonevara, Roscrea, Moneygall, and Mountrath
  Tipperary, via Golden and Cashel
  Cork City, via Mitchesltown, Cahir and Portalaoise

• Irish Concert Travel AKA Fureys of Sligo - services from
  Sligo via Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford and Mullingar
  Castlebar via Claremorris, Castlerea, Roscommon and Athlone.

• Buses to Concerts are providing services from Belfast, Sprucefield, Banbridge, Newry and Dundalk

• Marathon Travel are running a range of services from Dublin, including day-trips.   Services do not have to be pre-booked, but are cheaper for bookings.

• Bus Éireann - will be running services from
  Dublin ex CustomHouse Quay - no stops
  Cork - stopping at Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Cahir and Cashel.

• Skelton Travel - Belfast

Train services

• Irish Rail have announced special fares from Cork, Dublin and Limerick, but no additional services.  The planned strike action is not currently expected to affect the Electric Picnic dates.  

Local services

Martley's will run a shuttle bus between Portloaise Railway station and the site for €5 each way

• Thursday

From Portlaoise Train Station to Stradbally every 30 minutes between 12:30pm and 10pm

• Friday

From Portlaoise Train Station to Stradbally every 30 minutes between 7:30am and 10:30pm
From Stradbally to Portlaoise Train Station every hour between 10am and 3pm

• Saturday

From Portlaoise Train Station to Stradbally every 30 minutes between 7:30am and 10pm
From Stradbally to Portlaoise Train Station every hour between 9am and 3am

• Sunday

From Portlaoise Train Station to Stradbally every 30 minutes between 7:30am and 10pm
From Stradbally to Portlaoise Train Station every hour between 7am and 3pm

• Monday

From Stradbally to Portlaoise Train Station every 30 minutes between 6am and 3pm
From Stradbally to Dublin Custom House Quays at 2am and 12-noon.



Other services will be added to this list as information becomes available - please leave a comment below if you would like a service added.

Buses and trains for the August Bank Holiday - 2014

Monday 4 August 2014 

is a

bank / public holiday in Ireland.

City Bus Services

Bus Éireann and City Direct will run their their standard Sunday city services in Galway on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 August.

Regional Bus Services

A standard Sunday timetable applies for most regional and national public transport services on both Sun 3rd and Mon 4 August.  However:

• On Sunday 3rd August, Bus Éireann will operate a Sunday timetable, except that the 3:30pm Dundalk to Galway and 6pm Galway to Dundalk services are cancelled.
• On Monday 4th August, Bus Éireann will operate a Sunday timetable with a number of changes (both cancellations and additions) that affect Galway services.    See their announcement for full detail.

• Bus Feda (Galway - Donegal) will run a limited service on Sunday, and an extended service on the Monday.   See their announcement for details.

Train services

On Sunday 3rd, Irish Rail will run a normal Sunday service, with two cancellations in each direction between Galway and Dublin.

On Monday 4th, Irish Rail will run a timetable based on the normal Monday service, but with a number of alterations.

See their published bank holiday weekend timetable for details.

Buses and trains to the Galway Races 2014 - August meeting

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The following information is for services to the Galway Races in 2014. 

 See Galway Races Bus Services for this year's details.

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The Galway Races Summer Meeting is from Monday 28 July - Sunday 3 August 2014.

This is a summary of the public transport and traffic-management plans.  Full details in the following sections.

• Bus Éireann special races shuttle buses will run from Eyre Square.  Details below under "Special shuttle bus"

• BusLink are running a Nightlink service to/from Athenry every night during race week, and shuttle services from Athenry and  Oranmore.
  

• Both the route 409 - Parkmore  and route 403 - Ballybrit city buses go to the racecourse (Avenue entrance).  But there are some restrictions during peak racing traffic hours Mon - Fri - details below under "City Bus Services)

• There are some alternations to regular regional buses during race week and the week after.   Details below under "Regional Buses"

• Some extra train services are running during the week.  Details below under "Trains".

• There is a traffic management plan for both private cars and public transport.   Details below under "Traffic Management Plan.

Race days and times

• Monday 28 July - Hotels Day:   Gates open at 3pm, first race at 5:10pm, last race at 8:15pm 
• Tuesday 29 July:  Gates open at 3pm, first race at 5:05pm  -  last race at 8:15pm 
• Wednesday 30 July - Galway Plate Day:  Gates open at 12:30pm, first race at 3pm -  last race at 7:10pm
• Thursday 31 July - Ladies Day:   Gates open at 11am, first race at  1:30pm -  last race at 6:05pm
• Friday 1 August - Guinness Day / Local's day:  Gates open at 3pm, first race at  5:05pm -  last race at 8:25pm
• Saturday 2 August - Ladbrokes Red Day:  Gates open at 12-noon, first race at 2:35pm -  last race at 5:55pm
• Sunday 3 August - Mad Hatters Day / Family day - Gates open at 12-noon, first race at 2:15pm -  last race at 6pm

Special Shuttle Bus Services to Ballybrit Racecourse

From Eyre Square (Galway city centre)

Bus Éireann are running the races-special service between Eyre Square and Galway Racecourse.

Monday 28 July and Tuesday 29 July

• Shuttle buses will leave Eyre Square from 3pm
• The return services will start after the last race.

Wednesday 30 July and Thursday 31 July

• Shuttle buses will leave Eyre Square from 11am
• The return services will start after the last race.

Friday 1 August

• Shuttle buses will leave Eyre Square from 3pm
• Return services will start after the last race.

Saturday 2 August and Sunday 3 August

• Shuttle buses will leave Eyre Square "as required" from 11am.
• Return services will start after the last race.

Fares

• Adult: €6 single and €9 return.
• Children: €3 single and €5 return.
• Free Travel Pass is not accepted on the Galway Races shuttle buses.

Route

Shuttle buses will leave from the west side of Eyre Square (departure point is outside the Skeffington Arms Hotel on the west side of the square (map).   Drop off is through the tunnel entrance, within 50 yards of the course-entry.

These are shuttle buses, and do not pick-up or drop-off along the way.   (See "Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit" below for information about services which do.)

From Oranmore

BusLink are running races-special buses from Oranmore village to the Galway races.

Services leave the astroturf pitches (see the Oranmore neighbourhood map for the location) at the times below, and pick up approx 10 minutes later at the Maldron hotel, then go direct to Ballybrit.

Mon and Tues 3:30pm and 4:30pm
Wed 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm and 3pm
Thurs 12-noon, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm
Fri 3:30pm, 4:30pm and 5pm
Sat and Sun 1:30pm and 2pm

€7 single,  €10 return.

Return buses leave 30 minutes after the last race each day.

From Athenry:

BusLink are running shuttle buses from the Arch carpark (beside the two secondary schools), and picking up 10 mintues later at the Raheen Woods Hotel.

Mon and Tues 3:30pm and 4:30pm
Wed 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm and 3pm
Thurs 12-noon, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2pm
Fri 4pm and 5pm
Sat and Sun 1pm and 2pm

€9 single,  €12 return.

Return buses leave 10 and 30 minutes after the last race each day.

From Claregalway

The Claregalway Hotel are advertising a Race Link bus, for €3 return, leaving one hour before the first race each day.

Or, see the Claregalway Neighbourhood Map for details of regular public transport services from to and from Galway City.

From Loughrea

Lough Rea hotel are offering a bus & BBQ package on Wednesday and Thursday - contact them to book.

From other towns

Some hotels in County Galway and beyond offer packages including races tickets and access to a shuttle-bus - contact them directly for more information.

Apart from that, there are not usually special services from other Irish cities.   Instead, use the use national and regional services to get to Galway:   these stop very close to where the races shuttle buses leave from.

Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit

The Avenue (back) entrance to the racecourse (number (5) on the Parkmore area map) is served by these buses, which pick up from all stops along their route:

• Route 403 - from Eyre Square, travesl along College Rd, through Wellpark, Mervue, Castlepark and Ballybrit, then on to Parkmore
• Route 409 - from Eyre Square, travels along College and Dublin and Doughiska Rd

The usual city bus fares (including Travel Pass and TaxSaver tickets) apply.

These routes will end at the Briarhill Shopping Centre Junction (previously the Lynch Roundabout) between

• 2:30pm and 4:30pm on Monday and Tuesday 28 and 29 July
• 12:30pm and 4 pm on Wednesday 30 July
• 11.30am and 3:30pm on Thursday 31 July
• 3:30pm and 5:30pm on Friday 1 August

The last bus-stop serviced during these times is at the top of Doughiska Rd (route 409)  or Clayton Hotel (route 403) - both shown on the Doughiska neighbourhood map.

People travelling at these times on route 403 or 409 to the racecourse, or to/from work in Parkmore area   (Parkmore West Industrial Estate, Parkmore East Business and Technology Park, Galway Technology Park, Racecourse Business Park Briarhill Business Park), will need to walk for approx 15-20 minutes from this last stop.   There are now traffic lights at the intersection, but these may be under manual / Garda control.  There is also a pedestrian underpass beside the Clayton Hotel.

NB  These times are based on the overall road closure times in the area, and may be extended if there are traffic management problems in the area.

Changes to regional bus services

Burkes Buses have cancelled these services for Race Week and the following week:

• 7am from Dunmore to Galway 
• 7:30am from Tuam to Galway
• 8:30am from Tuam to Galway
• 4:40pm from Galway to Dunmore. 
• 5:10pm will operate from Galway to Tuam only, not to Dunmore
• 4pm from Galway to Headford
• 4:45pm from Headford to Galway

Bus Éireann have advertised these changes for Wed 30 July and Thurs 31 July:

• 4:25pm Galway to Longford - delayed until 5:15pm
• 5:45pm Galway to Castlerea - delayed until 6pm

BusLink have advised

• The regular Galway - Athenry Nightlink service will run every evening during Race Week. .

All other Galway regional bus services are expected to operate normally during Race Week - though may be delayed due to traffic volumes.

Trains

As well as regular Irish Rail services, extra trains will run:

• From Athlone and Athenry to Galway, and 
• From Galway to Limerick 

on Wed 30th and Thu 31st July. 

Special fares (starting at €6.99 each way from Limerick, €9.99 each way from Cork and €14.99 each way from Dublin) are available - but must be booked on-line and in advance through the Irish Rail / Iarnród Éireann journey planner.

There will not be a shuttle bus service from Oranmore railway station:  catch the train through to Ceannt Station / Galway, and use the regular races buses as detailed above.

Traffic Management Plan for the Galway Races 2014

The full traffic-management plan is available on the Garda website.  In summary:

• Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore) should use the Tunnel entrance - garda will control crossing the dual carriageway, and there will be no right turns at Briarhill Junction (Dunnes Stores) at peak times.

• Traffic from the city and the west should use the Tuam Rd entrance.

• Horseboxes use the Grandstand Avenue entrance, from either M6 Junction 19, the N6 of the N17.

A map of routes and entrances is available here.

Park and Ride

There is no Park and Ride service operating this year.

Buses to Longitude 2014

The Longitude music festival is being held at Marlay Park, Dublin from 18-20 July 2014.

The following companies are providing return bus or coach services from Galway city:

• Reaneys of Galway - from Galway city, in conjunction with OMG/Zhivago - prior booking is essential.

• Irish Concert Travel - details coming soon

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.   Festival arrangements are sometimes slightly different.

Alternatively catch a regular regional bus to Dublin, and a local bus from the city-centre to Marley Park (approx 10km away). See below for route information.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick, via Dallys Cross, Birdhill, Nenagh, Toonevara, Roscrea, Moneygall, and Mountrath
  Tipperary, via Golden and Cashel
  Cork City, via Mitchesltown, Cahir and Portalaoise
  Book in advance to ensure that the service is running.

• Irish Concert Travel - services from
  Sligo via Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford, Mullingar;
  Donegal, Mayo and Cork - details TBA

• Matthews Coach Hire from Dundalk, Monasterboice, Drogheda and City North Hotel

• Buses to Concerts are running services from Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge & Newry, for both weekend camping on Friday, and day-trips on Saturday and Sunday.

• East Coast Coaches are running buses from Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge, Newry

Local services in Dublin

• Executive Express are running shuttle services from
  Bewleys Leopardstown, Stillorgan Park Hotel & Bewleys, Ballsbridge.
  Bewleys Hotel, Newlands Cross

• Marathon Travel are running buses from Customs House Quay at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 6pm 5pm, 6pm and 7pm, and returning from 10pm onwards
  Tickets are cheaper if purchased on-line in advance.

Regular Dublin bus services to Marlay Park

These Dublin Bus services stop at the Grange Road entrance to Marley Park, just by the concert venue:

• Route 16 – Airport / O’Connell St to Grange Road
• Route 116 – Burlington Road to Grange Road
• Route 161 – Dundrum Road Luas to Grange Road

These Dublin Bus services stop at Ballinteer Shopping Centre, which is about 15 minutes walk to the concert venue:

• Route 75 - The Square Tallaght / Dun Laoghaire to Ballinteer Shopping Centre
• Route 14 - Beaumont to Balinteer Shopping Centre

See www.dublinbus.ie for timetable information.

Free bus to Galway Garden Festival 2014

Galway Garden Festival is being held at Claregalway Castle on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, 2014, with opening hours from 11am-6pm each day.

The castle is on the N17 at Claregalway, and there are likely to be traffic restrictions and delays.  Limited free parking is available.

A free bus service will run from Galway Railway station to the festival-site, every hour from 10:30am each day.

Admission to the castle grounds is €8 for adults and free for children.   Proceeds support The Christian Blind Mission and Galway Simon Community.

Related links:

• Regional Buses - for a full list of services to Galway.
• Public transport hubs map - locations of the private bus station and Galway Ceannt Railway Station / Galway Travel Centre. 
• Claregalway neighbourhood map - for amenities in the village

Buses to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, July 2014 in Marlay Park, Dublin

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis with Ellie Goulding play in Marlay Park, Dublin on Thursday 10 July 2014.

The following companies are providing return bus or coach services from Galway city:

• Irish Concert Travel - from Galway city and Athlone

• ConcertBus.ie
  - from Galway city and Athlone, €20.00 - €30.00
  - from Ennis, Gort, Loughrea and Ballinasloe,  €20 - €30.00

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.   Festival arrangements are sometimes slightly different.


Alternatively catch a regular regional bus to Dublin, and a local bus from the city-centre to Marley Park (approx 10km away). See below for route information.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick, via Dallys Cross, Birdhill, Nenagh, Toonevara, Roscrea, Moneygall, and Mountrath
  Tipperary, via Golden and Cashel
  Cork City, via Mitchesltown, Cahir and Portalaoise

• Irish Concert Travel - services from
  Sligo via Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford, Mullingar;
  Castlebar via Claremorris | Castlerea | Roscommon
  Letterkenny via Ballybofey | Monaghan | Castleblaney
  Donegal, via Ballyshannon and Cavan

• Glen Whelan Travel - are running a bus from Monastervein, Kildare, Newbridge and Naas, 

• Buses to Concerts are providing services from Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge & Newry

• CoolDiscs are running services from Belfast via Derry,Strabane,Omagh,

• Marathon Travel are running shuttle services from Customhouse Quay, Dublin city to Marlay Park.

Regular Dublin bus services to Marlay Park

These Dublin Bus services stop at the Grange Road entrance to Marley Park, just by the concert venue:

• Route 16 – Airport / O’Connell St to Grange Road
• Route 116 – Burlington Road to Grange Road
• Route 161 – Dundrum Road Luas to Grange Road

These Dublin Bus services stop at Ballinteer Shopping Centre, which is about 15 minutes walk to the concert venue:

• Route 75 - The Square Tallaght / Dun Laoghaire to Ballinteer Shopping Centre
• Route 14 - Beaumont to Balinteer Shopping Centre

See www.dublinbus.ie for timetable information.

Buses to Body and Soul 2014

The Body & Soul Festival is being run at Ballinlough Castle, Co Westmeath, from 20-22 June 2014.

The following companies are providing services from Galway city:

• None have been located

The best alternative is a regular bus service from Galway to Dublin, combined with the dedicated festival buses provided by Bus Eireann - see below.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick and Pallasgreen
  This bus will only run if there are enough passengers - book ASAP to confirm.

• Bus Eireann are running daily buses from Custom House Quay in Dublin city centre.
  There are combined festival and bus tickets available from www.Ticketmaster.ie.
  Or you can purchase tickets separately from Bus Eireann.

• GetThere.ie are displaying a number of car-share requests
  
  

Other services will be added to this list as they become available.    Please leave a comment below if you would like a service listed.

New direct bus service between Galway City and Killarney

Note: See latest Killarney announcements for updates about this service.

CityLink have announced that they will be running an express coach service between Galway City and Killarney, Co Kerry, from Friday 30 May 2014.

Timetable and route

Services will run between the Galway Coach Station and East Avenue in Killarney, with only one pickup / drop-off stop at GMIT in Dublin Rd, Galway.

Initially there will be two services each day in each direction, at 8:30am and 5:30pm.

Expected journey time is 2 hours 45 minutes.

Fares

Sample fares are:

• Adult - online booking: €25 single, €40 return
• Adult - walk-up: €30 single, €50 return

There is an introductory on-line-only fare of €9.95 each way - conditions apply.

See the Citylink bus-fare page for other options.

Other options

Currently no other company runs a direct service on this route.

Bus and train services for the June bank holiday, 2014

Monday 2 June 2014 

is a 

Public / Bank Holiday 

in Ireland.

City Buses

Bus Éireann and City Direct will run their their standard Sunday and public holiday city services in Galway on Monday 3rd

Regional Buses

Most regional and national public transport services will run their standard Sunday-timetable service on both Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd on June.

However:

• Bus Éireann will run regular regional / national services on Sunday 1st, except that one Dundalk / Galway / return service is cancelled.  Details.

• On Monday 3rd, Bus Éireann will operate to a Sunday timetable, but with  a number of service alternations (phrased as cancellations and alternative services.   See their announcement for details.

• Bus Feda   on Sunday and Mon will operate their normal Sunday service with some changes to the normal Sunday timetables - details.

• BusLink will operate their Bank Holiday timetable, including NightLink buses on the evening of Sunday 1st.

Trains

Irish Rail will operate:

• A Sunday service on 1 June - with two cancellations that affect Galway
• A Monday service on 2 June, with a number of cancellations that affect Galway

See their published timetable for details.

Buses to Garth Brooks in Dublin in July 2014

Garth Brooks is in concert in Croke Park, Dublin on from  25-29 July 2014.

The following companies are providing services from Galway city:

• Reaneys of Galway - bus from Galway city via (stops to be advised) in conjunction with OMG / Zhivago.

• Irish Concert Travel - buses from
  Galway, via Athlone

• Concert Bus services from
  Galway via Athlone, and
  Ennis via Gort, Loughrea and Ballinasloe

• Irish Rail - are running an extra return train from Dublin (Heuston Station) to Galway via Tullamore, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Athenry, Oranmore

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick, via Dallys Cross, Birdhill, Nenagh, Toonevara, Roscrea, Moneygall, and Mountrath
  Tipperary, via Golden and Cashel
  Cork City, via Mitchesltown, Cahir and Portalaoise
  

• Irish Concert Travel - services from
  Sligo, via Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford and Mullingar
  Letterkenny via Stranorlar
  Donegal Town via Ballyshannon and Cavan
  Castlebar via Claremorris and Roscommon

• ConcertBus services from
  Castlebar via Castlerea, Roscommon, Longford and Mullingar, and
  Cavan via Virginnia, Kells and Navan

• JJ Kavanagh are running a service from Waterford.

• Irish Rail - are running an extra return train from Dublin (Heuston Station) to Cork via Limerick Junction, Charleville and Mallow

• Marleys are running a bus from Portlaoise

• J&K Coaches are providing services from mid-Ulster (early booking recommended to ensure the bus runs).

• Buses to Concerts are providing several services from Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge & Newry

• Coaches to Concerts - from Belfast, Lisburn and Banbridge   (nb, This a different operator from to Buses to Concerts)

• CoolDiscs are running services from Belfast via Derry, Strabane,Omagh.   (Early booking recommended to ensure the bus runs.)

• Translink are running extra trains to/from Newry, Portadown, Lisburn and Belfast

• Rooney Coach Hire - buses from Hilltown, via Rostrevor, Warrenpoint and Newry

• Top Tours Ireland - are running buses from Derry / Londonderry

Other services will be added to this list as they become available.    Please leave a comment below if you would like a service listed.

Local services in Dublin

Executive Express are running shuttle buses will run from

• Bewleys, Leopardstown, Stillorgan Park Hotel & Bewleys, Ballsbridge.
• Bewleys Hotel, Newlands Cross.

Buses to the Kings of Leon, July 2014 in Dublin

The Kings on Leon, supported by Dublin band Kodaline  are in concert in Marley Park in Dublin on Friday 4 July 2014.

The following companies are providing return bus or coach services from Galway city:

• ConcertBus - from Galway City and Athlone

• Irish Concert Travel - from Galway city and Athlone.

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.   Festival arrangements are sometimes slightly different.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick, via Dallys Cross, Birdhill, Nenagh, Toonevara, Roscrea, Moneygall, and Mountrath
  Tipperary, via Golden and Cashel
  Cork City, via Mitchesltown, Cahir and Portalaoise

• Irish Concert Travel (Fureys of Sligo) - services from
  Sligo via Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford, Mullingar;
  Castlebar via Claremorris | Castlerea | Roscommon
  Letterkenny | Ballybofey | Monaghan | Castleblaney
  Donegal Town | Ballyshannon | Cavan

• ConcertBus are running services from
  Castlebar via Castlerea, Roscommon, Longford and Mullingar, and
  Cavan via Virginnia, Kells and Navan

• Marleys are running a bus from Portlaoise

• Translink are running a special bus from/via Belfast (Europa Bus Station)

• Buses to Concerts are running a bus from Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge & Newry (exact stops to be confirmed - phone for details)

• CoolDiscs are running services from Belfast via Derry,Strabane,Omagh

• Rooney Coach Hire - buses from Hilltown, via Rostrevor, Warrenpoint and Newry

Local services in Dublin

• Marathon Sports Travel - will run shuttle buses between Custom House Quay and Marley Park. 

Bus and train services for One Direction, Dublin, May 2014

One Direction are in concert in Croke Park, Dublin on Friday 23, 24 and 25 May 2014.

The following companies are providing return bus or coach services from Galway city:

• Reaneys of Galway - from Galway city via Loughrea , Ballinasloe and Athlone, in conjunction with OMG/Zhivago. For this concert, under 16's must be accompanied by an adult, and no alcohol is allowed on the coach.

• Irish Concert Travel - services from Galway, via Athlone

• ConcertBus services from Galway via Athlone, and from Ennis via Gort, Loughrea and Ballinasloe

• Bus Éireann will be running a special service, but it will go to and from Busarus (Dublin Bus Station) only, not to the special drop-off area at Croke Park.   (And it costs more than their regular Galway / Dublin City service)

Check with the company for timetable, booking and departure / pickup points.  Likely departure points include:

• Galway Coach Station
• Galway Cathedral

For concerts, return services generally leave 30-60 minutes after the concert ends, from the same place where the bus drops you off.

Services from other towns and cities

• Kelly Travel - services from
  Limerick, via Dallys Cross, Birdhill, Nenagh, Toonevara, Roscrea, Moneygall, and Mountrath
  Tipperary, via Golden and Cashel
  Cork City, via Mitchesltown, Cahir and Portalaoise
  

• Irish Concert Travel - services from
  Sligo via Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford, Mullingar;
  Letterkenny | Stranorlar
  Donegal Town | Ballyshannon | Cavan
  Castlebar | Claremorris | Roscommon
  Donegal, Mayo and Cork - details TBA

• ConcertBus services from
  Castlebar via Castlerea, Roscommon, Longford and Mullingar, and
  Cavan via Virginnia, Kells and Navan

• Irish Rail are running late trains - tickets include a Luas connection to the city centre
  12:30am Dublin Heuston to Galway stopping at Tullamore, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Athenry, and Oranmore
  12:40am Dublin Heuston to Cork/Limerick stopping Limerick Jct. (inc Limerick connection), Charleville, and Mallow

• Translink are running
  Bus / coach services from/via Belfast (Europa and Foyle Street), Strabane, Omagh
  Extra trains to/from Newry, Portadown, Lisburn and Belfast

• Buses to Concerts are providing several services from Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge & Newry

• Coaches to Concerts - from Belfast, Lisburn and Banbridge   (nb, This a different operator from to Buses to Concerts)

• J&K Coaches are providing services from mid-Ulster

• CoolDiscs are running services from Belfast via Derry,Strabane,Omagh,

Other services will be added to this list as they become available.    Please leave a comment below if you would like a service listed.

Local services in Dublin

• Executive Express are running shuttle services from
  Bewleys Leopardstown, Stillorgan Park Hotel & Bewleys, Ballsbridge.
  Bewleys Hotel, Newlands Cross

CityLink Galway / Dublin bus fare increases

CityLink have announced that fares will increase from Friday 9 May 2014, on their Galway / Dublin services (express, multi-stop and eireagle.com).

Examples of the new fares:

• Adult single Galway to Dublin City - online €12 single, €22 return
• Adult single Galway to Dublin Airport - online €17 single, €27 return

• Adult single Galway to Dublin City - walkup fare €13 single, €23 return
• Adult single Galway to Dublin Airport - walkup fare €18 single, €28 return

See CityLink's fares information page for details of other fare options,  and Galway regional buses - east for details of other companies operating on this route.

Changes to Bus Éireann Galway regional services to Connemara and Clare

Bus Éireann have announced changes to their Galway / Connemara and Galway / Clare services

Both are effective from Sunday 11 May 2014.

Galway / Clare:

A new Route 350:  Galway − Kinvara − Doolin − Ennis will operate.

The following bus services are cancelled

• Route 50: Galway – Lisdoonvarna – Doolin - Cliffs of Moher
• Route 337: Doolin – Lisdoonvarna – Ennis
• Route 423: Galway - Kinvara

The existing routes 434 (Galway - Kinvara - Gort)  and Route 51 (Galway to Cork, stopping in Ennis) are not affected.

See Regional buses - South for details of other bus services in this area.

Galway / Connemara:

A revised Route 424/424A (Galway – Spiddal – Carna – Carraroe – Lettermullen) will operate, with one service each way operating to Carna via Tully Cross, Costello, Muckinagh Cross, Screebe, Gortmore, Derryrush, Kilkerrin:   note the morning service departure time is 7:15am, and there will be a service on Saturday.

Route 416 Route 416 Galway - Spiddal - Carna services is cancelled

See Regional buses - West for details of other bus services in this area.

May bank holiday bus and train services in Galway for 2014

The following information is about an earlier year. 

 See current holiday bus and train services for this year's announcements.

---

Monday 5 May 2014 

is a 

public holiday & bank holiday 

(Saoire Bainc na Bealtaine)

in Ireland.

Bus fare increase on GoBus Galway / Dublin city / Dublin airport services.

GoBus have announced fare price rises from Monday 28 April 2014 on the Galway / Dublin city / Dublin airport service.

Easter 2014 bus and train services in Galway

The following information is for an earlier year.

See Easter bus service information for up to date  bus and train details for Easter weekend.

Extra buses on CityLink's Galway / Dublin express services

CityLink have announced additional services on their Dublin city express service and the  Eireagle Dublin airport express service, from Monday 28 April 2014.

Major changes to Bus Éireann's Galway - Dublin coach services

Bus Éireann have announced changed to their Galway / Dublin services, effective from Sunday 30 March 2014.

For all buses on Routes 20 (the commuter multi-stop service) and X20 (the express service):

• Dublin-Galway trips will start at Busarus (Dublin city centre), and travel via Dublin Airport.
• Galway-Dublin trips will go to Dublin Airport first before heading to Busarus (Dublin city centre).
• Neither direction will stop at Heuston Station.

In each direction there will be buses between 6:30am and 9:30pm:   one bus every hour, always leaving on the half-hour (ie 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, etc through to 8:30pm, 9:30pm).

Every second bus will be an X20, and operate non-stop between Dublin and Athlone, and then stop only at Loughrea and Ballinasloe.

The full new timetable is available here.   (There are a few once-a-week services that cover part of the route but are labelled Route 20, these appear to be unchanged.)

Fares appear to be competitive with other operators on this route when booked on-line:  eg  
€14 single and  €19 return for Galway - Dublin / Dublin Airport.

From April 2014, to travel between Galway and Heuston Station / the Phoenix Park area of Dublin, either catch a train, or one of the other Galway / Dublin regional bus services.

Buses and Trains - St Patrick's Day 2014

This announcement is about St Patrick's Day public transport information for a time in the past. See current St Patrick's day bus and train services for more recent announcements.

---

Monday 17th March 2014 
(St Patrick's Day) 

is a

public holiday in Ireland.

Most services will run a Sunday timetable.

Most towns and cities will have a parade around lunchtime or in the early afternoon: morning public transport services are likely to be busy due to this.