Connecting Ireland Project Updates

danm14 · 22-08-2025 10:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123725866#Comment_123725866

The new 929 timetable makes it possible to commute daily from Cavan Town to ATU Sligo and St Angela's College by changing to the 572 in Ballinamore - just as the 466 did with TUS Athlone and the 170 did with Dundalk IT.

A massive change from as recently as the 2022/23 academic year, when the only higher education colleges commutable from Cavan Town without a car were the Dublin colleges and Maynooth.

Of course, it's terrible that students should have to even consider 5-6 hour daily commutes by public transport - but with the situation as it is, it's welcome that the links exist to enable those commutes.

LXFlyer · 25-08-2025 01:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746307#Comment_123746307

This is what the project is delivering - much better connectivity.

The 466 in particular has been a success with very strong loadings all along the route.

p_haugh · 25-08-2025 03:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123742152#Comment_123742152

Further on this:

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/west-wicklow-news/no-extra-services-on-wicklow-bus-route-due-to-lack-of-funding/a682158988.html

LXFlyer · 26-08-2025 07:06PM

A further updated TFI regional transport map has been published in August 2025

https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250801_Regional_Transport_Map_August_2025.pdf

LXFlyer · 30-08-2025 06:37AM

Route 570 is next to be updated on 8th September.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-to-enhance-bus-route-570-from-boyle-to-roscommon/

TFI Local Link to enhance bus Route 570 from Boyle to Roscommon
29th August 2025
TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon enhancements from 8 September
From 08 September, TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon bus Route 570 will be enhanced from Boyle to Roscommon.
Route 570 with year-round bus between Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle and Roscommon
Route 570 and Route 570a will be combined and enhanced to form one route between Roscommon and Lough Key Forest all year round.
The enhanced will operate three daily return services Monday to Sunday with an additional service on Friday and Saturday evening.
Connecting Abbeytown, Ballinameen, Croghan, Elphin, Tulsk, Strokestown, and Kilbride
The route will continue to offer peak-time services and connectivity to Roscommon Hospital, Roscommon Station and to regional bus services as well as to the towns and villages of Abbeytown, Ballinameen, Croghan, Elphin, Tulsk, Strokestown, and Kilbride.
Roscommon Hospital, Roscommon Train Station and regional bus services
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon General Manager, Damien O’Neill said:
“We’re proud to support the enhancement of Route 570 from Boyle to Roscommon as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. The improved service now includes a new stop in Ballinameen and offers year-round access between Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, and Roscommon. With the addition of a late evening service on Fridays and Saturdays and improved connectivity to Roscommon Train Station, this route will better serve the needs of our communities and make public transport a more practical and attractive option for all.”
Additional Information
For route and timetable information, visit locallinklwr.ie
Learn more about the five-year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan HERE

LXFlyer · 30-08-2025 06:53AM

A few more Bus Éireann changes, including the return of some College extra departures and the cancellation of another once a week route (already covered by two Local Link routes).

https://buseireann.ie/news/timetable-alterations-250915

Timetable Alterations effective 15 September 2025

We wish to advise customers of alterations to Routes 100 and 168 effective 15 September 2025:

We wish to advise customers of alterations to the following timetables effective 15 September 2025:

The following Seasonal Timetables will revert to "Winter" timetables.

https://buseireann.ie/news/timetable-alterations-250925

Timetable Alterations effective 25 September 2025

The following service will be cancelled effective 25 September 2025:

We wish to advise customers that the following service will be cancelled effective 25 September 2025:

Route 348 – Scariff to Ennis via Tulla

PlatformNine · 30-08-2025 11:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123757288#Comment_123757288

I took a look at the map to see what has changed and honestly I think this map was a WIP that wasn't supposed to be published. Mainly its that the title of the PDF is "Regional Public Transport Map 2025 MMG v1.0 TEST."

But also it appears to be full of errors. Most notably it appears they have removed most of the information from the NI portion of the map. But also some minor errors I noticed include:

232 and 263 aren't marked at Castletownbere
519 isn't marked at either Cork or Charleville
888 missing numbers at the Allenwood Terminus (but the bubble is there)

LXFlyer · 30-08-2025 11:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123768394#Comment_123768394

Drop them an email and let them know.

D8 boy · 06-09-2025 10:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123768394#Comment_123768394

Something very odd about Lisburn too - it's shown as a terminus for several routes which don't go near it,

DUBLINBUSGUY · 07-09-2025 12:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123767916#Comment_123767916

I went to Ennis Bus/Train Station on Thursday afternoon to travel on the 14:00 348 to Scariff and it never appeared! A 333 driver and another 330 driver had never even heard of it and were directing me to local link. Upon showing the 330 driver the web page on buseireann.ie for the route, he rang an inspector who also just pointed to local link anyway as he'd never heard nor seen it either. I made a quick call to Local Link Limerick Clare who just said it is in fact a BÉ service and I should contact BÉ (TFI helpline) 🙈 as they do not operate it.

LXFlyer · 07-09-2025 08:47AM

Next updates are Local Link route 816 (new) linking Mullingar and Longford, and route 865 (revised route and timeable) from 15th September 2025.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/new-and-enhanced-tfi-local-link-routes-816-and-865-serving-longford-cavan-and-westmeath/

New and enhanced TFI Local Link Routes 816 and 865 serving Longford, Cavan and Westmeath
5th September 2025
Starting Monday, 15th September, TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon will launch new and improved Routes 816 and 865, enhancing transport connections.
Connecting Ireland provide peak-time services and links to key destinations
These new and enhanced routes are 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.
New TFI Local Link Route 816 Longford to Mullingar, serves Glebe View, Ardagh, Legan, Ballinalack and Ballyglass
New Route 816 will operate three return journeys daily, running Monday through Sunday, with an additional evening service available on Fridays and Saturdays.
Designed to enhance regional connectivity, the route will provide peak-time services and links key destinations including Mullingar Hospital, Mullingar and Longford Train Stations, and regional bus networks. It will also serves a wide range of communities, connecting the villages and areas of Glebe View, Ardagh, Ballycloghan, Carrickboy, Legan, Ballynacarrigy, Ballinalack, Multyfarnham, and Ballyglass.
Enhanced Route 865 extending to Aughnacliffe and Lough Gowna
Enhanced Route 865 will now extend to Aughnacliffe and Lough Gowna and will operate four daily return services Monday to Thursday, six daily return services on Friday, five daily return services on Saturday and three daily return services on Sunday.
Peak-time services to Longford Station, regional bus services, as well as Granard, Killeter and Deanscurragh
The enhanced route will provide peak-time services and connectivity to Longford Station, Longford Centre, regional bus services and to the villages and areas of Granard, Ballybrien, Willsbrook, Ballinalee, Clontumpher, Enybegs, Killeter, Lisnamuck and Deanscurragh.
More frequent services to key destinations like Mullingar Hospital and Longford Station
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon General Manager, Damien O’Neill said: “We’re delighted to introduce these new and enhanced TFI Local Link services as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. Routes 816 and 865 will greatly improve public transport connectivity across Longford, Westmeath, and Cavan, offering more frequent services, better access and links to key destinations like Mullingar Hospital and Longford Station, as well as creating better connections to the national transport network.”
“This is a major step forward in making public transport more accessible, affordable, reliable, and responsive to the needs of local residents. These services will help build stronger links between rural communities especially for those residents living in the communities these routes serve.”
Additional Information
For route and timetable information, visit locallinklwr.ie
Learn more about the five-year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan HERE

LXFlyer · 07-09-2025 08:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123792584#Comment_123792584

Probably hasn't run for some time - I suspect that it was operated using a school bus and just faded away with the advent of the local link routes.

PlatformNine · 07-09-2025 08:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123792373#Comment_123792373

So I've taken the time to do a bit of a bit of research, and it seems all the "ghost routes" in NI are real, but are shorter regional routes only within NI. It does make it look more as if they really did just upload the wrong file rather than it just being poorly done, but I can't say I am surprised given the PDF title has "test" in it.

It is interesting though that they do seem to be planning on adding NI routes to the regional transport map. However it is unfortunate that this was first shown through an incomplete map and many of the routes being shown also having duplicates in the ROI network which makes it just look poorly done.

DUBLINBUSGUY · 08-09-2025 07:31PM

Mystery solved today as I rang Brigdale Coaches who confirmed they operate the route for Bus Éireann (who seem to have forgotten), but they only go to Dunnes Stores in Ennis and don't go to the train station. And leave at about 13:30 on the return rather than 14:00. My friend said he seen a Brigdale Coach ages ago with a paper scroll picking some elderly passengers so advised I should ring them.

LXFlyer · 13-09-2025 07:25AM

Some Bus Éireann changes from 21 September, including withdrawal of once a week routes 463 and 457.

They also correct the loss of the connection to Castletownbere from the afternoon departure from Cork on route 236 that took place in June.

https://buseireann.ie/news/timetable-updates-21Sept

Friday 12 Sep 2025

Timetable updates effective 21 September 2025

We wish to advise customers of alterations to the following timetables effective 21 September 2025:

Alterations to Cork City and County Routes

The following Cork City routes will be amended following the introduction of punctuality improvements:

The following Cork City routes will be amended following changes to departure times:

Alterations to Limerick City Routes

The following Limerick City timetable departure time will be amended:

305,William Street to Liddy Street via Lynwood Park

Alterations to Commuter Routes in the Eastern Region

The following Commuter Routes in the Eastern Region will be amended:

107, Navan to Kingscourt via Nobber: Change of Coordinates of the Kilmainham Wood stop
109A (109D), Dublin Airport to Kells via Navan: 109A term time departure from Trim to DCU at 07.30 and return at 17:15 Renamed to 109D.
109A (110D), Dublin Airport to Kells via Navan: Term time departure from Navan to DCU at 07:35 and return at 17:15. Renamed 110D and diverted to Navan Road Parkway. Restrictions on the Parkway Station. Route will also start/end at Kennedy Road in Navan instead of Abbey Road. 07:35 departure from Navan is changed to 07:20
111, Dublin to Athboy via Trim: Change of Coordinates of the MSD Stop
182, Drogheda to Ardee via Collon and Drogheda: The following Commuter Routes in the Eastern Region will be amended: to Monaghan via Ardee: Removal of (A) from 182A and Rename 182. Addition of 7 stops onto timetable
187, Kells to Virginia via Ballyjamesduff and Oldcastle: Review of punctuality

Alterations to Commuter Routes in the Western Region

The following Commuter Routes in the Western Region will be amended:

320, Limerick to Charleville via Croom: Additional stop 608021 at O’ Connell Avenue.
330X, Limerick to Ennis via Newmarket-on-Fergus: Additional stop at Bunratty and increased segment times
440, Athlone to Westport via Knock: Addition of Mayo Hospital Stop 15108 & 15109 and segment change in Mayo.
456, Galway to Castlebar via Westport: Addition of Mayo Hospital Stop 15108 & 15109 and 5 minutes wait time in Westport on all services.
457, Castlerea to Roscommon via Ballintubber: Route Cancelled
463, Carrigallen to Longford via Mohill: Route Cancelled

Alterations to Commuter Routes in the Southern Region

The following route will be amended following a change to departure time:

236, Cork to Glengarriff/Castletownbere: Change of departure time Mon/Wed/Fri only

DUBLINBUSGUY · 13-09-2025 11:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123812013#Comment_123812013

It seems TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon have been operating a once a week service between Carrigallen and Longford via Mohill with the exact same departure times as the 463 on the same day for a couple months now. Surely TFI who subsidise both services would've tried to avoid wasting taxpayers money having both running at the same time. The Bus Éireann run usually carries zero passengers or a few at most.

LXFlyer · 14-09-2025 10:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123814194#Comment_123814194

It’s actually only been running a few weeks rather than months. Let’s be honest, I doubt the cost of one bus running one round trip once a week is going to be astronomical - the duplication will finish up this week.

It’s clear from recent changes that the NTA are keen to redeploy the Bus Éireann buses and drivers used on these once a week routes elsewhere across the network where they can be better utilised, replacing them with Local Link services.

danm14 · 19-09-2025 09:30AM

There are four other Carrigallen Bus Eireann routes which are operated by the same driver and vehicle as the now discontinued Route 463 to Longford on Monday and Wednesday - these are Route 465 to Cavan on Tuesday, Route 464 to Enniskillen on Thursday and Route 462 to Sligo on Friday and Saturday.

Are these also being duplicated by Local Link services, or are there plans to do so?

I suspect their days as Bus Eireann services are numbered after the withdrawal of Route 463.

LXFlyer · 19-09-2025 09:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830307#Comment_123830307

Yes I believe that there are plans which will see new or extended Local Link routes replace the remaining Carrigallen routes - although funding issues may put these on ice until 2026.

danm14 · 19-09-2025 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830334#Comment_123830334

Hopefully these won't result in a complete withdrawal of public transport for those living in the rural areas en-route who are unable to walk several miles to the nearest village (as happened with the transfer of the Inniskeen area outside Dundalk from Bus Eireann to Local Link)

The Carrigallen routes have always operated as hail-and-ride services and a large proportion of their passengers board along the route away from the designated stops in the villages.

Local Link Cavan Monaghan have a strict policy of serving designated stops only (almost none of which are located outside of built-up areas) - complete with official signage on board warning passengers in a very passive-aggressive tone not to even think about asking the driver to stop elsewhere.

I can see Route 465 in particular ending up carrying fresh air aside from one or two passengers from Carrigallen, with most of the former rural passengers (of which there are a fairly reasonable, if not high, number) along the route having to travel by taxi at great personal expense, if it ends up with them.

I know Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim are more flexible and allow drivers discretion to stop elsewhere, and am unsure about Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon.

LXFlyer · 19-09-2025 10:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830492#Comment_123830492

I wouldn’t be expecting direct replacements necessarily for each of the Carrigallen routes per se in the long run (a bus being based there is an oddity of history down to a private operator being based there in decades gone by). Far more likely to see different 7-day routes with several services each day covering some of the existing BÉ Carrigallen services.

The Connecting Ireland maps give a good hint about what will replace the 464 - likely an extended Local Link 564 to Enniskillen.

Route 462 for example is covered in the main by Local Link routes 566, 572 and 11319.

I’d be expecting a combination of enhanced existing routes and perhaps new routes to replace the rest of the services (including via Carrigallen).

The stopping policy may be an insurance issue - Bus Éireann would certainly have grandfather rights in that regard.

Vic_08 · 19-09-2025 11:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830492#Comment_123830492

It is not just those specific Bus Eireann routes. All routes that are not Express are operated as "stage carriage" and are available to pick-up and drop off at any safe point along their routes.

The rules were always slightly vague, relying on reasonableness rather than strict guidelines but where bus stops are provided they only stop at the stops and not at random places close by, but away from towns/villages or junctions with marked stops then it is expected that passengers can ask to be let off or hail a bus anywhere along it's route.

That Local-Link which is in most cases a level below the remaining BE routes in terms of areas served does not operate the same is just ridiculous. To only serve a handful of designated stops on rural routes with spread out populations run with mostly mini and midi-buses makes no sense whatsoever if the purpose of the routes is to serve the local non-car owning or using population.

It is yet another example that the while the NTA have been successful at improving many aspects of transport provision by massively increasing the range of services provided they once again show their serious lack of understanding about some of the basic aspects of bus operation such as stopping rules, information provision and fare integration.

LXFlyer · 19-09-2025 12:43PM

Next changes happening are firstly the switch of TFI PSO Route 975 between Longford and Cavan via Ballinamuck and Arva (operated by Andrew Wharton Coaches) to become Local Link route 862 from 29 September - this will see the route finally gain a Sunday service.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-route-862-to-enhance-bus-services-between-longford-and-cavan/

TFI Local Link route 862 to enhance bus services between Longford and Cavan
19th September 2025
From Monday, 29 September, TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon Route 862 will be enhanced between Longford and Cavan.
Route 862 servicing Cahanagh, Leitrim, Drumlish, Gaigue, Ballinamuck, Legga, Moyne, Arva, Coronea and Crossdoney
Route 862, formerly Route 975, will be enhanced to operate five daily return services Monday to Saturday with additional evening services on Friday and Saturday. For the first time, the enhanced route will operate on a Sunday with four daily return services.
The enhanced route offers peak time services and connectivity to regional bus services, Longford Train Station, the Longford Centre, Cavan Bus Station, the Cavan Institute and to the villages and areas of Clonbalt Woods, Cahanagh, Leitrim, Drumlish, Gaigue, Ballinamuck, Legga, Moyne, Arva, Coronea and Crossdoney.
Adding late evening and four Sunday return services
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon General Manager, Damien O’Neill said:
“As Manager of TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon, I’m delighted to see the continued enhancement of our services in North Longford and Southwest Cavan. These improvements reflect the National Transport Authority’s strong commitment to making public transport more accessible and reliable across rural Ireland.
The addition of a late evening service on Fridays and Saturdays, along with four return services on Sundays, means that people along the route now have even more flexibility to travel—whether it’s for shopping, dining out, or visiting friends and family.
Choosing TFI Local Link isn’t just convenient—it’s also a more environmentally friendly way to get around. With affordable fares, comfortable vehicles, and a growing network of routes, public transport is becoming a smarter choice for everyone”.
Additional Information
For route and timetable information, visit locallinklwr.ie
Learn more about the five-year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

LXFlyer · 19-09-2025 12:48PM

Secondly Local Link Mayo route 978 (Belmullet-Castlebar) will be replaced by route 460a and 460b from 29 September.

Route 460a will operate from Achill Sound to Castlebar and route 460b from Belmullet to Castlebar.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-to-enhance-bus-services-from-castlebar-to-achill-island-with-routes-460-and-460a/

TFI Local Link to enhance bus services from Castlebar to Achill Island with routes 460 and 460a
19th September 2025
From Monday, 29 September, TFI Local Link Mayo will enhance Route 460 a/b between Castlebar and Achill Island.
New Routes 460a Gob an Choire to Castlebar
New Routes 460a and 460b will replace and provide an extension to the current Route 978 service which connects Béal an Mhuirthead and Castlebar.
Route 460a will operate five daily return services between Gob an Choire and Castlebar, providing a brand new connection to Achill Island from Castlebar and surrounding areas.
New Routes 460b Béal an Mhuirthead to Castlebar
Route 460b will operate three daily return services between Béal an Mhuirthead and Castlebar, which will replace the current service offered by Route 978. The routes combined will provide eight daily return services between Mulranny, Newport and Castlebar, 7 days a week.
Peak-time and Evening services
The new routes will provide peak-time and evening services and will offer connectivity to regional bus services, Castlebar Station, Mayo Hospital and to the villages and areas of Bun na hAbhna, Bangor Erris, Ballycroy, Poll Raithní, Mulranny and Newport.
Enabling rural communities in Bangor Erris and Achill to live, work, and thrive
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Mayo Manager Sarah Togher, said:
“We are delighted to see continue investment in public transport services in county Mayo, this service is more than just a bus – it’s a vital connection that enables rural communities in Bangor Erris and Achill to live, work, and thrive. The service tackles isolation, supports local businesses, and ensures everyone has access to essential services including education and health services. TFI Local Link is an inclusive transport network working to keep our villages connected.”
Additional Information
For route and timetable information, visit www.locallinkmayo.ie
To learn more about the five year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

danm14 · 19-09-2025 01:07PM

Confirmed by Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon that the LD63 service will not be a hail-and-ride service unlike the 463 service it replaces, and accordingly will stop only at the seven (Monday) or six (Wednesday) official intermediate stops.

Also announced today is the "enhancement" of NTA direct-award Route 975 into Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon Route 862, so no doubt this hail-and-ride service will also become a designated-stops-only service - and quite ironically, given that one of the taglines being used to promote the enhancement is "more flexibility".

Many of the new and altered Connecting Ireland routes have been highly beneficial - but "enhancement" is fast becoming a euphemism.

LXFlyer · 10-10-2025 07:16PM

Another new route starting on October 20th, Route 178 linking Kells with Bailieborough and Cootehill.

This replaces Bus Éireann route 108 which will free up a bus (lately this has had a full LF double deck on it - massive overkill) that can be better used elsewhere.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-to-introduce-bus-route-178-between-kells-and-cootehill/

TFI Local Link to introduce bus route 178 between Kells and Cootehill
10th October 2025
From the Monday, 20 October, TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan will introduce a new bus route connecting Kells and Cootehill.
This new route is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.
New bus route 178 serving Kells, Mullaghey, Carlanstown, Moynalty, Mullagh, Relabeg, Bailieborough and Canningstown
Route 178 will replace Bus Éireann Route 108 and will operate three daily return services between Kells and Bailieborough with two services extending to Cootehill via Canningstown Monday to Sunday.
The new route will provide morning services for commuters and connectivity to regional bus services and the villages and areas of Mullaghey, Carlanstown, Moynalty, Mullagh, Relabeg, Bailieborough and Canningstown.
Adding to the greater public transport network for East Cavan
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan Manager Padraic Smyth said:
“We are delighted to bring forward this enhanced service for the area which adds to the greater public transport network for East Cavan”
Additional Information
For route and timetable information visit www.locallinkcm.ie
Learn more about the five-year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan .

LXFlyer · 10-10-2025 07:18PM

On the same date, route 983 gains extra journeys.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/tfi-local-link-to-enhance-bus-route-983-service-from-manorhamilton-to-ballyshannon/

TFI Local Link to enhance bus route 983 service from Manorhamilton to Ballyshannon
10th October 2025
From Monday, 20 October, TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim will enhance services between Manorhamilton and Ballyshannon.
Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan
This enhancement is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.
Route 983 servicing Lurganboy, Glenade, Kinlough, Bundoran East and Finner.
Route 983 will be enhanced between Kinlough and Ballyshannon and will now operate ten daily return services Monday to Thursday, 14 daily return services on Friday and Saturday and eight daily return services on Sunday with two daily return services extending to Manorhamilton Monday to Sunday.
The enhanced route will offer a new connection at Melvin Fields in Kinlough instead of Bundoran Cinema and will continue to provide peak and evening services and will offer connectivity to Ballyshannon Bus Station, Bundoran Centre, regional bus services and to the villages and areas of Lurganboy, Glenade, Kinlough, Bundoran East and Finner.
Connecting to work, education and social needs with multiple services each day
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim General Manager, Fiona O’ Shea said:
“We are delighted to announce the enhancement of route 983.This enhanced service will connect towns for work, education and social needs with multiple services each day”.
Additional Information
For route and timetable information visit www.locallinkdsl.ie
Learn more here about the five year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

LXFlyer · 10-10-2025 07:19PM

From the same date, October 20th, Local Link route 172 gains a Friday and Saturday evening service between Cootehill and Virginia.

LXFlyer · 10-10-2025 07:36PM

From 13th October, route 566 between Dowra, Drumkeeran, Dromahair and Sligo gains a new timetable with minor timetable changes.

From the same date, route 563 between Dromahair and Sligo will be enhanced.

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/bus-route-563-tfi-local-link-to-enhance-services-between-sligo-and-dromahair/

Bus route 563 TFI Local Link to enhance services between Sligo and Dromahair
7th October 2025
From Monday, 13 October, TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim will enhance services from Sligo to Dromahair.
This enhancement is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.
Bus Route 563 servicing Sligo University Hospital, ATU Sligo, ATU Saint Angela’s, Parkes’s Castle
Route 563 will now operate eight daily return services from Monday to Sunday. The service will now terminate at Markievicz Road in Sligo, and will no longer serve Sligo Bus Station, passengers can still access Sligo Bus Station from ATU St. Angela’s via Route 981.
The enhanced route provides peak-time and evening services and connectivity to Sligo University Hospital, ATU Sligo, ATU Saint Angela’s, Parkes’s Castle, regional bus services and to the villages and areas of Yeats Village, Ard Nua Village and Hazelwood Avenue.
Speaking ahead of the launch, TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim General Manager, Fiona O’ Shea said:
“The enhanced 563 offers flexibility, convenience, and travel options for our community, whether you’re commuting, visiting family, or just exploring.”
Additional Information
For route and timetable information visit www.locallinkdsl.ie
Learn more here about the five year Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan

danm14 · 11-10-2025 12:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123895558#Comment_123895558

The timetable for this route is extremely bizarre, and is a great example of Connecting Ireland in many instances having no regard whatsoever for connections.

The new morning service from Bailieboro to Kells arrives at 7:36am - quite a bit too early to be useful for most people working in Kells, but perfectly timed to facilitate onward connections to Navan and Dublin.

However, when Route 108 is withdrawn, the last bus from Kells to Bailieboro will now be nearly two hours earlier at 5:15pm instead of 6:55pm - and thus of no use to anyone working anywhere other than in Kells, with the last connection from Dublin at 3:15pm (instead of 5:15pm) and from Navan at 4:45pm (instead of 6pm).

The last bus from Bailieboro to Kells will also now run three-and-a-half hours earlier, at 4pm instead of 7:30pm - and it is perfectly timed to give passengers a perfect view of the rear of both the express service to Dublin and the local service to Navan/Dunshaughlin and Dublin Airport, as they leave without them on board!

Connecting Ireland Project Updates

Comments

Timetable Alterations effective 15 September 2025

Timetable Alterations effective 25 September 2025

Timetable updates effective 21 September 2025