In association with GalwayTransport.info - Galway's public transport information site

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Buses and trains for the August Bank Holiday - 2014

castle and autumn leaves in sunshine


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.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Buses and trains to the Galway Races 2014 - August meeting





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

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





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


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.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Buses to Longitude 2014

banner for Longitude Festival, Marley Park, Dublin 18-20 July 2014 - light blue background, green leaves, curly text
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.

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

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


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.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Free bus to Galway Garden Festival 2014

Giant purple and red model flowers with a gazebo and trees in the background
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:

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:
  • 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:

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, 
  • 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.