Connecting Ireland Project Updates

Yeah it was a mess and the running time was impossible.

Personally I’m not a fan of loops and would have preferred them to design a standard served route in both directions.

This new timetable means that anyone in Castleland will have a long wait at Millfield SC if they want to go to the station or town centre which isn’t great.

It was originally supposed to start on 11 May but they changed the date yesterday.

The other towns being part of the city network is one of those legacy issues to be honest - it would probably be far better being operated by DB out of Skerries depot, but I’m guessing that BÉ must have got in there first to suggest it when it was originally launched as the 104 (back when the bus companies could plan the network).

The dead running to/from Drogheda for the B1 isn’t great in terms of the efficiency, but then again the 33 is equally bad with multiple empty runs between Skerries and the city during the day.

A number of BÉ routes are being discontinued with effect from Sunday 25th May, most of which are once or twice a week routes, and all of which have far more frequent replacement services in place through the Connecting Ireland programme.

https://buseireann.ie/news/transfer-of-routes

Despite what it says on the page linked to above, it is not the normal 323 that is affected, but rather a once a week variation.

Finally, some BÉ stop changes, including an extension to route 105:

https://buseireann.ie/news/bus-stop-alterations

Bus Stop Alterations

We wish to advise customers of some bus stop changes effective 25 May 2025

Eastern Region

Route 105, Blanchardstown -Drogheda via Ashbourne will now stop at Ballybin Road and has also been extended to Navan Road Parkway Station

Drogheda Town

Route D4, Colpe Road to Ballymakenny College via Station, will now pick-up/drop off passengers at Drogehda Hospital, Stop 106501.

Route D5, Colpe Road to Termon Abbey via Station, will now pick-up/drop off passengers at Drogehda Hospital, Stop 106501.

Cork

Route 203, Manor Farm – Parklands via St Patrick Street will temporarily stop at Tramore Road (Stop 247031) for duration of construction

Route 236, Cork – Glengarriff via Bantry. The Old Glenbrook Bar, Adrigole, Co. Cork (Stop 215061) stop has moved 30 metres west of the original stop in Adrigole.

BÉ article on the 105 change:

https://buseireann.ie/news/enhanced-route-105

Enhanced Route 105, Drogheda to Blanchardstown (via Ashbourne) and Navan Road Parkway rail station

Route 105 Drogheda to Blanchardstown (via Ashbourne) will provide additional hours of operation and will be extended from Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown to Navan Road Parkway.

From Sunday 25 May, Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company and the National Transport Authority (NTA) will enhance services on Route 105, operating between Drogheda to Blanchardstown (via Ashbourne).

The improvements aim to improve transport connections between Ashbourne, Ratoath and Drogheda as well as between Dunboyne and M3 Parkway.

The enhanced service 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. The improvements will benefit passengers in the region travelling for leisure, work and education as well as those making onward connections with bus and rail services.

As part of the enhancements, Route 105, which currently operates to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, will be extended to serve Navan Road Parkway, providing improved connections to bus and rail services, facilitating onward travel.

To further support this extension, and build on access to existing stops at Ashbourne, Dunboyne, Blanchardstown and M3 Parkway, which offers a key rail connection for passengers, Route 105 will have extended hours of operation from Monday to Friday. The first service will depart Blanchardstown at 6.45, providing a half hourly service until 20.45 followed by an hourly service until 22.45. Additionally, the Sunday hourly service includes two new departures at 09.45 and 21.45. The service will also feature new stops on Ballybin Road.

From 25 May, Route 105 will no longer serve Bracetown Business Park and will operate on a single alignment to Dunboyne and onwards. For passengers travelling to the Business Park, alight at MSD Dunboyne and travel on Route 109 Dublin to Kells (via Navan) or 109b Dublin to Trim (via Dunshaughlin) onwards to Bracestown.

“Bus Éireann is delighted to introduce these improved services on Route 105, Drogheda to Blanchardstown (via Ashbourne) and Navan Road Parkway, increasing transport options for passengers in the region,” said Adrian O’Loughlin, Bus Éireann Senior Manager East. “These improvements will positively impact those travelling for work, leisure, health and education. These updates are the result of a strong collaboration between the NTA and Bus Éireann to enhance connectivity across the country to deliver an affordable, reliable and sustainable bus service."

Speaking on the enhancements, Director of Public Transport Services of the NTA Jeremy Ryan said: “The extension of Route 105 to Navan Road Parkway station, along with enhanced operating hours, marks a positive development for many of our passengers, particularly those wanting to connect to trains serving Dublin city centre or Maynooth. With expanded operating hours and improved access to key transport hubs, this upgrade is a major step forward in providing a more reliable, frequent, and convenient service.”

Latest quarterly update has been published - quite a few changes coming in the next few weeks.

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Connecting-Ireland-Bulletin-Q1-2025.pdf

Route 356 between Dungarvan (Ballinroad) and Clonmel is next up to be enhanced.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-route-356-to-be-enhanced-from-ballinroad-to-clonmel/

TFI Local Link Route 356 to be enhanced from Ballinroad to Clonmel from 30 June

20th June 2025

From the 30th of June, TFI Local Link Waterford Route 356 will be increasing services between Dungarvan and Clonmel.

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.

Bus Route 356 to operate eight daily return services

Route 356 will operate eight daily return services from Monday to Sunday & Public Holidays, providing a new connection with Fourmilewater.

The enhanced route will continue to provide peak-time services and connectivity to rail services in Clonmel, South Tipperary Hospital and to villages and areas such as Ballinroad, Touraneena and Ballymacarbry.

Greater flexibility & accessibility for people travelling between Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Touraneena, Ballymacarbry, Fourmilewater and Clonmel

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Waterford Manager, James O’Donoghue said:

“We’re delighted to see the further enhancement of Route 356 as part of the Connecting Ireland programme. This improved service will offer greater flexibility for people travelling between Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Touraneena, Ballymacarbry and Clonmel, while also providing a vital new connection to and from Fourmilewater. It’s all about our ongoing efforts to make public transport more accessible for the communities we serve every day.”

Further information

For route and timetable information, visit www.locallinkwaterford.ie

Learn here aboutthe five year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

https://buseireann.ie/news/timetable-alterations-29june

A whole swathe of running time changes from Sunday week 29th June on a variety of Bus Éireann routes listed on the link above, some of which are just for the summer months, and most of which are fairly minor in nature.

These changes are coupled with some revised departure times on routes 487, 491 and 494 in Donegal.

Route 464 (Thursdays only Carrigallen to Enniskillen) is accelerated by almost 30 minutes overall - clearly the running times were not updated for some significant time.

Route 446 (Ballina-Blacksod) gains an additional stop in Belmullet town, which I believe has been in unofficial operation all along.

Route 409 in Galway starts earlier now at 05:45 outbound.

Additional stops added on two town routes in Drogheda and on a Cork City route.

School term only departures are suspended on multiple routes for the summer.

Finally, three low frequency Bus Éireann routes are being cancelled as the transition to Local Link operation of these kind of services under Connecting Ireland continues.

Route 467 - Longford to Lanesborough (Wednesday only route)

Passengers will be able to avail of TFI Local Link Route 426 which operates between Longford and Roscommon, via Lanesborough (96 services per week).

Route 471 - Sligo to Ballymote (Monday to Wednesday) or Castlebaldwin (Thursday and Friday)

Passengers will be able to travel via two TFI Local Link services, Route 977 which operates between Sligo and Castlerea, via Ballymote and Route 572 which operates between Ballinamore and Sligo via Riverstown as well as Expressway 23 route which operates between Castlebaldwin and Sligo

Route 495 - Ballyshannon to Manorhamilton via Kinlough (Friday only route)

The alignment of this route will covered by TFI Local Link Route 983, which operates between Manorhamilton and Ballyshannon

West Cork improvements from Sunday 29th June with an expanded route 230 service from West Cork Connect, with revised times on BÉ route 237 to offer an integrated schedule.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/west-cork-bus-services-set-for-significant-boost-with-new-timetable-integration/

West Cork bus services set for significant boost with new timetable integration – routes 230 and 237

25th June 2025

Enhanced public transport between Skibbereen and Cork, and Goleen to Cork from 29th June

Public transport between Skibbereen and Cork is set for a significant enhancement with the introduction of a new integrated schedule supported by enhanced commercial bus service, Route 230, operated by West Cork Connect, alongside revisions to Bus Éireann’s existing Route 237.

More frequent, reliable, accessible bus service for Skibbereen to Cork route

Together, these services will deliver a more frequent, reliable, and accessible public transport link, significantly improving connectivity for communities across West Cork. The integrated schedule aims to enhance access to key services including healthcare, education, and employment.

Up to 16 daily services from 29th June

From 29th June, the new integrated timetable will offer sixteen daily services in each direction Monday to Friday, and twelve on weekends. Services will be evenly spaced throughout the day, with hourly departures to and from Cork, creating a convenient and accessible timetable for local communities.

West Cork Connect’s bus Route 230 and Bus Éireann’s Route 237

Under the integrated schedule, West Cork Connect’s Route 230 will be enhanced to provide ten daily return services on weekdays and seven on weekends, complementing Bus Éireann’s existing Route 237. Both routes follow a similar alignment, improving options for commuters, students, and visitors throughout the region.

Increased bus services between Skibbereen and Cork, as well as between Cork and Goleen

Jeremy Ryan, Director of Public Transport Services at the National Transport Authority said: “The increase in bus services between Skibbereen and Cork are significant for the people living along the route and in the West Cork area. By enhancing Route 230 to complement the revised 237 service from Bus Éireann, we’re offering a more comprehensive and accessible transport network for the region.”

“Bus Éireann is delighted to introduce these updated services between Cork and Goleen, increasing transport options for passengers in the region,” said Aled Williams, Senior Regional Manager, South, Bus Éireann. “These improvements will positively impact passengers travelling for work, leisure, health and education. Thanks to the NTA, through the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan we have added over 2.3 million kilometres to our network nationwide. Demand for our services in Cork 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.”

A major milestone for the people of West Cork

Damien Long, owner of West Cork Connect, commented on the enhancement of Route 230 saying: “This is a massive step forward for public transport in West Cork and something we’ve been working towards since day one. West Cork Connect is now delivering what passengers have been asking for – a more frequent and flexible service that gives people real options for daily travel. This really is a major milestone for the region and it’s only the beginning. There’s more to come as West Cork Connect continues working to improve transport for the people of West Cork.”

NTA’s Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

Further enhancements to services along this corridor are currently in development, and the NTA remains committed to continuously monitoring performance to deliver an efficient and accessible timetable for all passengers.

For full timetables, fare information, and journey planning:

For details on Route 230, operated by West Cork Connect, please visit WestCorkConnect.ie/

For details on Route 237, operated by Bus Éireann, please visit BusÉireann.ie

They can still provide an integrated timetable, which is actually what they stated above.

Same as the 419 and 923 between Galway and Clifden.

Route 548 from Loughrea to Ballinsloe is being re-routed, extended to Athlone and will be a seven day a week operation.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-bus-route-548-to-be-enhanced-from-14-july-ballinasloe-to-loughrea/

TFI Local Link bus route 548 to be enhanced from 14 July Ballinasloe to Loughrea

9th July 2025

From 14 July, TFI Local Link Route 548 Ballinasloe to Loughrea will be enhanced.

TFI local Link bus route 548 connecting Bellough, Summerhill, Cornafulla, Clonark, Dubarry, Kilconnell, Ballyfa and Bullaun

Route 548 will be extended from Ballinasloe to Athlone and will offer services on the weekend for first time to operate four daily return services Monday to Sunday.
The enhanced route will also offer peak-time and evening services and connectivity to regional bus services, Ballinasloe & Athlone Train Stations and to the villages and areas of Bellough, Summerhill, Cornafulla, Clonark, Dubarry, Kilconnell, Ballyfa and Bullaun. `

Enhancement serving Ballinasloe to Athlone

Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Galway Manager Joe Greally said:  

“This enhancement is a much-needed upgrade that will serve many more people, especially along the Ballinasloe to Athlone section. It’s a long-awaited development that we believe will open new opportunities for people trying to get from A to B along this route. Whether it’s accessing education, healthcare, shopping, or simply staying connected with family and friends, this route will make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Additional Information:

For route and timetable information call (091) 842 384 or TFI Local Link Galway website

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