Throwback Thursday

This week we are going back seven years to 2018 and to AX 456 and AX 453 on Ratoath Road in Finglas, both operating services on route 911.

Route 911 was a bus route with a very short lifespan, only lasting one day. It was one of seven shuttle bus routes operated by Dublin Bus in connection to the World Meeting of Families mass taking place at the Phoenix, which was being celebrated by Pope Francis. Route 911 operated between Clare Hall and the Ratoath Road, Other transport hubs near the Phoenix Park were nearby Ballyboggan Road (route 912), Cook Street (route 913), Chapelizod by-pass (routes 914, 915 & 916) and Laurel Lodge (route 917). It was a huge operation, involving most of the Dublin Bus fleet. The regular bus service mostly operated as normal too.

AX 453 and AX 456 were new to Dublin Bus in 2006. A 453 was withdrawn around the end of 2018 and sold on to another operator in Ireland. AX 456 was last noted in service with Dublin Bus in 2024.

At the time this picture was taken, this part of Ratoath had no scheduled bus services, but in December 2018 it gained route 40E.

26/08/2018

Not quite a Throwback Thursday, but today (14th September 2025) is the 100th anniversary of the start of route 40. This morning I took two photographs of the route on O'Connell Street.

SG 175 heading north to Charlestown:

SG 222 heading south to Earlsfort Terrace:

This week we re going back thirty-two years to 1993, and to P 5 at the route 39 terminus in Clonsilla.

Route 39 started running between the City Centre and Blanchardstown in 1926. Between 1972 and 2004 its western terminus moved around between Sheepmoor, Clonsilla, Coolmine and the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. In 2004 it settled on Ongar as a western terminus. In 2010, under Network Direct, the city terminus moved to Baggot Street and three years later to Burlington Road.

In 1993 route 39 became the first CitySwift route in Dublin. The concept was to run single-decker buses at a higher-frequency than before. When this started, Clonsilla was the terminus as seen here.

P 5 was delivered new to Dublin Bus in 1993, with the P Class the first class of bus purchased for CitySwift operations. The P Class ultimately number 40 members, and were later joined on CitySwift routes by members of the AD, VA, RV and AV Classes. P 5 was withdrawn by Dublin Bus in the early-2000s, and had joined the Bus Eireann school fleet in Cavan by 2003. By 2013 it had been withdrawn and stored in Dundalk garage for eventual scrapping.

18/09/1993

This week we are going back forty-two years to 1983 and to KD 90 with a service on route 41C at Dublin Airport.

Route 41C started running between the city centre and River Valley (in Swords) in 1981. In 2005 it was extended through Swords to Swords Manor. Certain departures on route 41C served Dublin Airport up until the route was extended to Swords Manor.

KD 90 was new to CIE in 1982. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus around 1997.

The background has changed a lot during the last forty years. The car park has become a multi-storey car park, as well as the location of many bus and coach stands for services to the city and to around the country. Buses no longer serve the road KD 90 is seen on.

01/10/1983

This week we are going back eighteen years to 2007 and to RV 435 on O'Connell Street with a service on route 123 to Kilnamanagh Road.

Route 123 started around 1993 as a City Imp route, running between Marino and Drimnagh. It replaced former routes 23 and 24, but operated at a higher frequency, using smaller buses. Over time, the City Imp concept proved very popular and larger buses were needed. The 123, and the other City Imp routes, eventually lost the minibuses and became part of the regular network, using double-decker buses. In 2006 the 123 terminus was moved from Drimnagh to Kilnamanagh Road. Under Bus Connects, route 123 is due to be replaced on 19th October 2025 by new route 73, which will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland.

RV 435 was new to Dublin Bus in 1998. It was withdrawn around 2010, and sold on to another Irish operator.

16/10/2007

This week we are going back seventeen years to 2008, and to RV 621 on Frederick Street North with a service on route 40C from Finglas.

Route 40C started running between the city centre and Finglas in 1973. Its terminus was in Finglas South on Ratoath Road, and it may have been the first bus route in Dublin to use the C suffix. The route ceased to operate in 1995 when route 40 went over to CitySwift, but had returned by 2000, this time running between the city centre and Finglas Place. In 2003 it was extended north to St. Margaret's Road. The route ceased to operate in 2009, when it and route 40B were replaced by new route 240. This was part of the network rationalisation to reduce costs. However, teh route number unofficially lived on and was used on short workings on route 40 which terminated in city centre and did not complete the full journey.

RV 621 was new to Dublin Bus in 1999. It was withdrawn towards the end of 2012, and subsequently disposed of.

23/10/2008

This week we are going back forty years to 1985 and to D 746 parked on Fleet Street, dressed for route 15C.

Route 15C started running between the city centre and Willington roundabout in Templeogue. It was not a very frequent route and was replaced in Willington by the 54A and the 150 in the early-1990s. The next version of route 15C ran from the City Centre to Whitechurch, it started in 1999, as a partial replacement to the 47 group of routes, and lasted until 30th September 2007 when it was replaced by the 15B.

D 746 was new to CIE in 1975. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus in 1994 before being sold for scrap.

27/11/1985

This week we are going back twelve years to 2013, and to GT 125 on Hawkins Street dressed for route 68.

The DUTC started operating the route in 1934. The 68 runs from the city centre to Newcastle (in west Dublin), going via Clondalkin. In 2006 it was extended slightly further to the Greenogue Business Park at the southern end of Newcastle. In 2011 it was slightly modified under Network Direct to go via Bulfin Road as a partial replacement for route 19.

GT 125 was new to Dublin Bus in 2013. In 2018 it migrated to Go-Ahead Ireland and became 11907.

Beside the bus is the former Department of Health, which was located in Hawkins House. It was demolished in 2021, and the site is being redeveloped.

12/12/2013

I would just like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas for 2025, and a Happy New Year. Whether you come for my general bus pictures, Throwback Thursday, or Provincial Past, it is all greatly appreciated.

Secondly, this is also (a slightly early) <strong>Throwback Thursday (510)</strong>. AX 633 is seen on O'Connell Street with a service on route 16A to Nutgrove.

Route 16A started operating in 1955, initially between Beaumont and Lower Rathfarnham / Nutgrove. Around 1985 the northern terminus moved to Santry. Around 2000 some services were extended to Dublin Airport. In 2001 it predominately became the Dublin Airport to Nutgrove route, while route 16 covered Santry to Ballinteer. Route 16A ceased to operate in 2012 under Network Direct.

AX 633 was new to Dublin Bus in 2006 and is still in service today, often appearing on route 16.

09/01/2010

This week we are going back seventeen years to 2009, and to RV 481 on D'Olier Street with a service on route 83 to Kimmage.

Route 83 started running between the city centre and Kimmage in 1936. In 1992 it became the first City Imp route, when red / yellow minibuses were introduced that ran at a high frequency. Around 2003 it was extended north to McKelvey Avenue in Finglas when it replaced route 134. In 2004 it was extended further north to Harristown. In 2024 the route was slightly rerouted to go via Crumlin Village, following the Bus Connects changes to the southern orbital routes. It then finally ceased to operate in 2025 when it was partially replaced by routes 23, 24 and 82 under the Bus Connects F-Spine changes.

RV 481 was new to Dublin Bus in 1999. It was withdrawn in 2009, and sold on to an operator in the United Kingdom.

08/01/2009

This week we are going back forty-one years to 1985, and to KD 366 on Eden Quay with a service on route 7A to Sallynoggin.

KD 366 was the bus that was never meant to be. When CIE ordered the double-deckers from Bombardier, it was meant to be a fleet of 365 buses. However, KD 111 was written-off in an accident in 1982, and thus an extra bus was ordered to replace it. KD 366 was delivered new to CIE in 1983. In 1990 it became the first Wedding Bus in the fleet, with the new white livery being tested on it before being applied to some of the new Leyland Olympians being that year. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus around 1999.

Route 7A started operating between the city centre and Sallynoggin, via Blackrock, in 1950. In 1988 it was extended to Mackintosh Park, and the route ceased to operate in 2011. The route number returned in 2016 for services between the city centre and Loughlinstown.

22/01/1985

This week we are going back seventeen years to 2009, and to VT 40 on a snowy Hawkins Street with a service on route 39 to Ongar.

Route 39 started running between the City Centre and Blanchardstown in 1926. Between 1972 and 2004 its western terminus moved around between Sheepmoor, Clonsilla, Coolmine and the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. In 2004 it settled on Ongar as a western terminus. In 2010, under Network Direct, the city terminus moved to Baggot Street, after being on Hawkins Street for nearly a decade, and three years later to Burlington Road.

Also, in 1993 route 39 became the first City Swift route.

VT 40 was new to Dublin Bus in 2007, being one of fity Enviro 500s delivered that year. It is still in service today with Dublin Bus, at the tender age of 19.

Beside the bus is the Screen cinema. It closed in 2016 and the building was demolished in 2019. Hawkins House behind it was demolished in 2022.

05/02/2009

This week we are going back forty-one years to 1985, and to KD 153 at the route 44 terminus in Enniskerry.

The original route 44 started in 1926 and ran between the city centre and Vernon Avenue in Clontarf. It ceased in 1936, when a new route 44 started running between the city centre and Enniskerry. Until 1953, certain departures on the route operated to Glencullen. In 2012 it was extended on the northside to Larkhill, replacing route 3 under Network Direct changes. In 2014 it was extended along Collins Avenue to DCU. In 2021 the terminus in Enniskerry was moved to a location just beyond the bridge in the background of this photograph.

KD 153 was new to CIE in 1982. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus sometime around 1999.

18/02/1985

This week we are going back thirteen years to 2013, and to AV 114 at the route 14 terminus on Maryfield Drive.

Route 14 started running as a bus route between the city centre and Dartry in 1948. In 1953 it was extended on the northside to Annamoe Road and in 1955 it reached the Phoenix Park. In the same year it was extended to Churchtown. Around 1988 it was cut back on the northside to terminate once more in the city centre. In 1995 it reached Ballinteer and a decade later it was extended to Dundrum. In 2011, under Network Direct, it was merged with route 20B and was extended on the northside to terminate here on Maryfield Drive (although the buses and timetables use Ardlea Road as a destination).

AV 114 was new to Dublin Bus in the year 2000. It was withdrawn in 2015, and sold on to an operator in Scotland.

05/03/2013

This week we are going back forty-two years to 1984 and to KD 288 in Balbriggan, dressed for route 33B to Portrane.

Balbriggan, of course, is not served by route 33B but by route 33. CIE took over this route from the GNR(I) in 1958. It provided a connection between the city centre and Skerries via Rush, with certain departures extended to Balbriggan. CIE took over route 33B from the GNR(I) in the same year. That route connected Swords and Portrane, although it had no route number between 1958 and 1972. From 1975 to 2002, certain departures were extended to the city centre. Go-Ahead Ireland took over route 33B in 2018.

There was a departure on route 33, in each direction, that ran between the city centre and Balbriggan, going via Donabate and Portrane. This started in 1966 when a new secondary school opened in Rush. In 2002 the afternoon trip from Balbriggan via Portrane on the 33 was cancelled, and in 2003 the morning trip from Dublin was shortened to Skerries. In 2018 the Portrane 33 was renumbered 33E.

KD 288 was new to CIE in 1982. It was withdrawn by Dublin Bus in the late-1990s.

19/03/1984