Anybody know of cross-border transport from Dundalk to Belfast?

Pamela13

I have a job starting in September in Belfast (teacher in a school) and we were hoping to remain in the republic, maybe go to dundalk? but the only morning train (connolly to dundalk to belfast would arrive at 9.45am, the bus would go from dundalk to dublin airport to belfast (I know!), and I don't drive at the moment. Any ideas? (getting home at night, either where we are now or to dundalk is simples, but getting there, silly..!

thanks

Nothing from Dundalk unfortunately. Aircoach from Dublin (pdf) http://www.aircoach.ie/sites/default/files/dac/Belfast%20Leaflet%20-%2018-11-13.pdf It'd run you 120 per week as well.

I don't know if any of the carpool sites are any use in Ireland.

spurious

http://getthere.ie/dundalk-belfast/24-Mar

Might be worth getting in touch with that guy.

LXFlyer

No easy way normally - first bus (connecting in Newry) gets you there for 09:35, unless you want to leave at 0430!!

Use www.a-b.ie - it's the National (all Island) Journey Planner.

Sheldons Brain

If you want to drive a bit of the way, driving to Newry would do the trick. Many people take Rooney's bus from there, perhaps you could hook up with someone from Dundalk doing this.

LXFlyer

There's also 2 trains from Newry to Belfast at 06:55 and 07:35, arriving at Great Victoria Street at 07:54 and 08:34 respectively.

Full timetable is here:
http://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/timetables/NIR%20Dec%2013%20inbound%20outbound/Enterprise%20Dublin%20-%20Belfast.pdf

http://www.translink.co.uk/Documents/timetables/NIR%20Dec%2013%20inbound%20outbound/Enterprise%20Beflast%20-%20Dublin.pdf

Pamela13

I saw the train option, the school starts at 8.45 proper, but probably need to get there a few minutes earlier.

I think I'm going to have to get my driving license - to be honest, I am terrified of driving and was hoping for some other solution, but they either mean driving part-way or leaving at 4am.

sheldons brain - I like that idea, I'm sure I could get a lift to newry from dundalk....!

thanks!

Louche Lad

Buy/rent a cheap second home in Belfast convenient for work?

theKillerBite

Move to Belfast, much better craic then Dundalk.

Pamela13

nice idea, and may look for a flat/house share for two nights a week as am only working 3 full days a week......

thanks!

Cookie_Monster

maybe a bit on the extreme side but Dundalk to Newry is about 25km, you'd cycle that in an hour, to meet the train. If you're that against the driving.

Hope you already have a provisional licence, gotta have that for 6 months before you can do the test for the full licence.

Pamela13

I have had a UK provisional for ages and would take the theory test again before doing the actual test, so then could convert over if necessary to Irish....

thanks for all the ideas!

Marhay70

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

maybe a bit on the extreme side but Dundalk to Newry is about 25km, you'd cycle that in an hour, to meet the train. If you're that against the driving.

Dundalk to Newry is a fairly steep uphill most of the way, not for the faint-hearted.

inquisitive89

Pamela13, did you ever figure this out? I'm in the same situation as you...can't get to Belfast in time for work, the boyfriend lives in Dundalk and idealy I'd like to go visit the occasional week night!