Connecting Ireland Project Updates

PlatformNine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123645544#Comment_123645544

Always good to see further improvements to town services.

The name change from N to NV is interesting though. I didn't think it was needed but it could be a sign they are looking to update the numbering of their other town services? The newer town services all have 2 letter numbering, and I think all of the proposed future town services from LTPs/LAPs(if numbered at all) also use 2 letter numberings.

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123646097#Comment_123646097

It's a sensible change - it reduces the conflicting route numbers when you look in the journey planners.

p_haugh

Kilkenny is also getting a 12% service level increase on the same date, timetables dont seem to be available as of yet though

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/kilkenny-city-bus-network-expands-with-more-than-12-per-cent-service-level-increase/

PlatformNine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123646115#Comment_123646115

I completely agree. I will still be curious to see if this is a one-off thing, or if they also plan to continue this with Athlone, Balbriggan, Drogheda, and Sligo town serivces, as well as the Cavan and Monaghan County services.

I suppose it just surprises me because they haven't been very good at it before this, or at the very least they haven't cared much before this. The various BC networks are pretty bad. All 5 networks share numbers with each other, and the Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford networks all have conflicts with long distance BE services from their own areas.

Connecting Ireland in comparison has thankfully been pretty good from what I have seen, even despite the number of routes. With so many routes spread all across the country they could have easily gotten away with it, but they didn't and I respect that. The only duplicate numbers I know of are the C1, C2, and C3 from Cavan and the Dublin C-spine.

It does make me think a bit, it looks like they are trying to keep RR services as 3-digit numbers? If so they might need to start rethinking how they number routes to avoid duplicates in later CI phases. I actually do like the concept of CX and MX numbering in Cavan and Monaghan for the shorter LL routes, I just think CNX and MNX might have been better. It could be a way to free up more numbers for future services. I think LL CKW tried this with WW10, but they don't have any other routes with WW and I am not sure if they plan to.

LXFlyer

Some big and very positive changes in Northwest Clare and South Galway from July 27th, with a massive expansion of services.

Bus Éireann route 350 will now operate 10 return services seven days a week between Galway and Ennis via Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch and Ennistymon. Services will operate from very early morning until very late at night. They will also now use the N67 between Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna, no longer routing via Black Head. Some extra stops are being added in Ennis, Kinvara and at Dunguaire Castle.

A new Local Link route 351 will operate between Cliffs of Moher and Galway, via Doolin Pier, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Black Head, Ballyvaughan and Kinvara. Peak time journeys will cover the old 350 service at Nogra and Maree in south Galway.

The 351 will operate three full return journeys between Cliffs of Moher and Galway, a fourth return trip between Doolin and Galway, and a fifth return journey between Ballyvaughan and Galway. All operate seven days a week. This maintains service levels in the areas no longer served by Bus Éireann route 350.

BÉ route 350 timetable is here: https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/db136e73-39a4-0017-c8cc-5f063ce7fc95/b2dfce26-6356-4348-9d30-119fbd3269ae/timetable-350-jul25.pdf

LL route 351 timetable is here: https://www.locallinklc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TFI-LLR351_V3.pdf

Information is on the TFI website:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/west-clare-passengers-on-wild-atlantic-way-set-to-benefit-from-enhanced-bus-connectivity/

West Clare Passengers on Wild Atlantic Way set to benefit from enhanced bus connectivity

18th July 2025

Enhanced Bus Services for West Clare from 27th July

Passengers in West Clare are set to benefit from improved bus services along the Wild Atlantic Way with the enhancement of Route 350 between Galway to Ennis via the Cliffs of Moher and the introduction of a new Route 351 between the Cliffs of Moher to Galway City, via Fanore.

Goals of the Service Improvements

These service developments are intended to

reduce journey times

Provide more reliable and frequent options for local communities.

Support travel for work, education, and leisure

Facilitate onward connections with national bus and rail networks.

Route 350: More Frequent and Direct

From Sunday, 27th July, Bus Éireann will enhance its Route 350 service, offering

Ten services per day in each direction from Monday to Sunday,

Including early morning and late-night services.

A direct, singular alignment with no diversions,
ensuring a clear and legible timetable with even headways.

Notably, Route 350 will now operate along the N67 between Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna.

New Route 351: Connecting Cliffs of Moher to Galway

On the same day, a new service, Route 351, will commence operations, providing additional connectivity in the region.

Route 351, operated by TFI Local Link Limerick Clare, will provide

Four services per day in each direction between Cliffs of Moher and Galway City via Fanore Cross

An additional daily service in each direction operating between Ballyvaughan and Galway City.

The route is designed to facilitate onward travel connections,

with links to Doolin ferries and Galway–Dublin train services at Oranmore.

Some services operate via Maree and Nogra at specific times of day, enhancing accessibility for local communities.

Passenger Convenience and Accessibility

Both services will be accessible through the TFI Live app, allowing for real-time journey planning. TFI Leap Card payments will be accepted, and Free Travel Passes will be valid on applicable services.

Shaped by Local Voices

According to John Nott, Head of Public Transport Service Planning at the National Transport Authority:

“These service improvements directly reflect the needs of the communities and visitors along the Wild Atlantic Way. By strengthening connectivity and reliability, we’re making sustainable travel a more appealing and accessible choice for everyone in the region. We also want to sincerely thank all who participated in the consultation earlier this year—your feedback was invaluable in shaping a service that truly meets local and visitor needs.”

Bus Éireann Enhancing Regional Connectivity for All Passengers

“Bus Éireann is delighted to introduce these enhanced services in West Clare & South Galway, increasing transport options for passengers in the region,” said Brian Connolly, Bus Éireann Senior Regional Manager, West. “These improvements will positively impact passengers travelling for work, leisure, health and education. Demand for our services is high and we have seen considerable growth in recent years, delivering over 111.6 million passenger journeys last year. Bus Éireann continues to enhance connectivity across the country, delivering an affordable, reliable and sustainable bus service for communities throughout Ireland, helping to make life better.”

TFI Local Link – better access to essential services, employment opportunities, and tourism destinations

Speaking on the new service, TFI Local Link Limerick Clare General Manager Anne Gaughan, said: “We are absolutely delighted to introduce the new 351 services, complementing Bus Éireann’s 350 route and greatly enhancing connectivity across the region. This partnership represents another positive step forward in delivering integrated and accessible public transport for our rural communities. The new 351 will improve travel options for both locals and visitors, enabling better access to essential services, employment opportunities, and tourism destinations. We look forward to working closely with the national Transport Authority to ensure the continued success of this service.”

Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

Timetables & Fares

For full timetables, fare information, and journey planning:

For details on Route 350, operated by Bus Éireann, please visit www.buseireann.ie

For details on Route 351, operated by TFI Local Link Limerick Clare, please visit www.locallinklc.ie/

danm14

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123646608#Comment_123646608

The Monaghan Local Link routes were renumbered from Mx to MNx about a year ago. The Cavan routes remain as Cx.

Geuze

It's a pity there isn't one single PDF of the combined 350 and 351 timetables.

seekers

The services on the 350 351 route don't really have that much extra capacity in the mornings, just one mini bus from local Link. I know the route operates later but the services are stil spread out during the day.

I'm also wondering who will use the services departing Ennis and Galway at 6am in the mornings. Somewhere into the route?

Geuze

Are you saying that the new 351 service from Galway after 27-July will be operated by a mini-bus?

seekers

It's operated by Local link and they use the small busses. they also take forever to travel a route

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657930#Comment_123657930

Locallink use every size of bus on different routes

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657817#Comment_123657817

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123657930#Comment_123657930

If you are going to post something like this, at least check your facts first.

Local Link routes all over the country are operated by a variety of vehicles, from minibuses to midibuses to full sized coaches. You are making a massive assumption there about what vehicle type will operate route 351.

Turning to the timetables, the morning 350 services now offer far better connectivity at either end of the route, with decent connections out of trains at Galway and Ennis.

As for "taking forever" - the nature of most Local Link routes is that they serve local communities - that's their purpose (most people aren’t necessarily going end to end, and if you are and want to take a more direct route, then you can use the Bus Éireann or commercial services. But at the same time I would certainly take issue with that comment - what specific routes “take forever”?

But in this case the Local Link 351 timetable is there for everyone to see, and if you had bothered to check it, you'd see that it's not taking any longer than the existing route 350 to get from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher.

As to who would use the very early morning services - maybe people going to work? Plenty of people start work very early in the morning in the hospitality industry. People also board or leave buses all along the route - they don’t necessarily go to/from the terminus stops.

seekers

Fair enough but the reality in North Clare is that the people in Fanore will loose their direct bus to Galway and even Ennistymon under the plan. The bus is due to go to the pier in Doolin because its a small bus and better able to navigate the bridge in Doolin.

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123658164#Comment_123658164

The people in Fanore will still have four direct buses a day to Galway in each direction.

As for the other direction, the NTA carried out a massive consultation on this, they have the data on how many people are boarding their services and where - if there were large numbers making those journeys don’t you think that they’d maintain a direct bus?

On a recent trip on the 350 no one got on/off between Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna.

If the 350 does the heavy lifting to & from the Cliffs then what difference does it make if the 351 is a smaller bus?

seekers

in the consultations one of the biggest issues was the packed busses in Kinvarra. this only adds a mini bus in the morning

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123660030#Comment_123660030

Rather than complaining about something before it actually starts, why don’t you wait and see how things develop?

We don’t even know the capacity of the vehicles that Local Link will use yet.

I’ve lost count of the number of times people have predicted on these boards that things won’t work and yet they turn out ok.

LXFlyer

A few other changes happening this weekend:

Bus Éireann routes 258 and 259 in Cork (once a week routes from Macroom to Rylane and Macroom to Renanirree respectively) are being withdrawn.

EDIT - THE ROUTE 258 AND 259 WITHDRAWALS ARE DEFERRED TO TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST & THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.

Also, a range of stop changes, with route 105 now picking up/setting down at all stops that it serves and Limerick City route 304a being extended from Raheen to Mungret Park.

Changes to Bus Éireann Bus Stops

Alterations effective 27 July 2025

We wish to advise customer of alterations to the following Bus Stops across our network of services effective 27 July 2025:

Western Region Bus Stop Alterations

304A, Raheen to UL via Parnell Street

New stops added at:

• Mungret Park, '603611 & 603541',
• Mungret College, '603601 & 603551',
• Dromdarrig, '603591 & 603561'
• Mungret Gate, '603571 & 603581'
• St Nessans School '6093301 & 3116601' serving in both directions.
• UL (Flagpoles), '6076101' has been added to the route serving outbound. 

330, Ennis to Shannon Airport via Newmarket-on-Fergus

• Stop Renamed - Fergus Lawn - Stop code remains unchanged - 603341

330x, Limerick to Ennis via Newmarket-on-Fergus

• Stop Rename - Fergus Lawn - Stop code remains unchanged - 603341

333, Ennis to Kilkee via Doonbeg

• Stop Rename -Fergus Lawn - Stop code remains unchanged - 603341

450, Dooagh to Louisburgh via Westport

• Stop number changed - GPS Mulranny - will change from 638061 and 638071 to 12790 and 10758

 

Eastern Region Bus Stop Alterations

NX, Dublin to Navan via Blanchardstown

New stops added to route at:

• Clonmagaddon Court, '189231',
• Tara Court, '189251',
• The Paddocks, '189261',
• St Marys Park, '137921' serving inbound.
• Blackwater Abbey, 111071' will change to Blackwater Drive, '189171'.
• Ratholdren Road, '111061' will change to Ratholdren Court, '189191'.
• Leisure Link, '111051' will change to 'Leisure Link, '189201'. 

103x, Dublin to Navan via Ashbourne

• Navan (Abbey Road Stop B), '138461' has been removed from the route and will be replaced by Kennedy Road, '189521'.

105, Blanchardstown to Drogheda via Ashbourne

• Removal of stop restrictions on the route. Parkway Station, '7167 & 7166' has been renamed Navan Road Station serving in both directions. 

107, Navan to Kingscourt via Nobber

• Navan Abbey Road, '138461' has been removed from route and replaced by Kennedy Rd, '189521'.
• New stop has been added at Russell Court, '189281 & 189291' serving in both directions. 

109,  Dublin to Kells via Navan

• N3 Navan Road, '101261' has been renamed & renumbered - Junction 6, '7389' serving outbound.
• New stop added to route at Martry Cross, "Martry", '102051 & 102041' serving in both directions.
• Parkway Station has been renamed Navan Rd Station 

109a, Dublin Airport to Kells via Navan

• New stop has been added to route at Martry Cross, "Martry", '102051 & 102041' serving in both directions.

109b,  Dublin to Trim via Dunshaughlin

• N3 Navan Road, '101261' has been renamed & renumbered - Junction 6, '7389' serving outbound.
• Parkway Station has been renamed Navan Rd Station.

111, Dublin to Athboy via Trim

• N3 Navan Road, '101261' has been renamed & renumbered - Junction 6, '7389' serving outbound.
• Parkway Station has been renamed Navan Rd Station.

DUBLINBUSGUY

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123660881#Comment_123660881

Nothing replacing the 258 and 259? A local link etc.?

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123661482#Comment_123661482

I suspect it’ll be DRT services like the 243 Saturday replacement - it’s pushed back two weeks now to the 5th and 7th of August.

https://www.buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/258

https://www.buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/259

LXFlyer

Route 318 is getting a completely changed timetable and will now serve Tulla and Meelick.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-bus-route-318-to-be-enhanced-from-4th-of-august-between-ennis-and-limerick/

TFI Local Link Bus Route 318 to be enhanced from 4th of August between Ennis and Limerick

25th July 2025

From the 4th of August, TFI Local Link Limerick Clare will enhance bus services between Ennis and Limerick via Quin and Broadford.

This enhanced route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.

TFI Local Link bus route 318 connecting Ardnacrusha, Kilkishen, Quin and O’Callaghan’s Mills. 

Route 318 will be enhanced and rerouted to Tulla, improving connectivity to Limerick and establishing a new transport link to Meelick between Limerick and Ardnacrusha. The enhanced route will operate three daily return services Monday to Sunday with an additional late evening service on Friday and Saturday.

The enhanced route will continue to provide connectivity for the areas and villages of Ardnacrusha, Kilkishen, Quin and O’Callaghan’s Mills as well as offering connectivity to regional bus services and Ennis Train Station.

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Limerick Clare General Manager, Anne Gaughan, said:

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of the 318 service in Clare, offering frequent bus connections from Meelick and Tulla to Limerick and Ennis.  The introduction of a late evening service will provide a reliable transport option for those commuting to work, college, training, sightseeing, or visiting family and friends.”

Additional Information:

For more information contact visit: www.locallinklc.ie

Learn more about the five-year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

seekers

Th 318 bus passed the gate of the GAA pitch in Tulla. I could never understand how t couldn't be timetable to stop in Tulla

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123660030#Comment_123660030

Not a lot of “mini” about the two buses allocated to operate the 351!

seekers

it looks like a city bus. plenty of space for standing?

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123675745#Comment_123675745

They are buses like others that Local Link operate in different parts of the country.

As has already been pointed out, they operate a wide variety of different sized vehicles across the country depending on the needs of the route, ranging from minibuses to midibuses, to full size buses and coaches.

Standing isn't allowed on rural / interurban routes - only in cities.

seekers

That's good but there isn't a huge amount of seats on those.

Anyways, it is difficult enough to find the timetable onbthe clare local link page

Geuze

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678775#Comment_123678775

https://www.locallinklc.ie/2025/07/18/%f0%9f%9a%8dnew-%f0%9d%97%a5%f0%9d%97%bc%f0%9d%98%82%f0%9d%98%81%f0%9d%97%b2-351-announcement/

Timetable:

https://www.locallinklc.ie/2025/07/18/launching-sunday-27th-july-2025-351-cliffs-of-moher-to-galway-city-monday-to-friday/

https://www.locallinklc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/TFI-LLR351_V3.pdf

seekers

But it can be difficult to find the timetables in the website

seekers

any word on the 338 bus?

Geuze

It's early days yet, but any news on the expanded 350 / 351 services?

Oranmore needs RTPI at the stop on Station road.

Geog1234

236/ 29th June changes

Axed bus service leaves commuters facing a four-hour 120km journey to Castletownbere | Southern Star

https://www.southernstar.ie/news/axed-bus-service-leaves-commuters-facing-a-four-hour-120km-journey-to-castletownbere-4336149