GalwayTransport.Info

Buses and trains to the Galway Races, 2026

2026-07-23T13:25:28.437+01:00

Public transport and traffic-management plans for the Galway Races Summer Meeting between Monday 27 July - Sunday 2 August 2026.

Summary

Races shuttle buses will run from Eyre Square, leaving from outside the Skeff.

Some bus companies are running special services from various towns and villages. Some hotels are also organising shuttle services.

Bus Eireann's route 409 - Parkmore and route 401 - Salthill to Ballybrit / Parkmore Industrial city buses go to the racecourse (Avenue entrance). But there are restrictions during peak racing traffic hours Mon - Fri, and you will be dropped approx 20 minutes walk from the entrance
Regular city services during Race Week cost €1.35 per journey if you use a Leap Card.

There are some changes to regular regional buses during race week and the next week.

Race days and times

Monday 27 July 2026 - Opening Day
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:10pm, last race at 8:20pm

Tuesday 28 July 2026 - Tribes Tuesday
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 4:40pm, last race at 8:20pm

Wednesday 29 July 2026 - Tote Plate Day / Country Music Day
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:05pm, last race at 8:20pm

Thursday 30 July 2026 - Guinness Galway Hurdle and Ladies Day
Gates open at 11:15am, first race at 2:10pm, last race at 6:05pm

Friday 31 July 2026 - Friday's Most Stylish
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5pm, last race at 8:40pm

Saturday 1 August 2026 - The Weekender
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 2:02pm, last race at 6:05pm

Sunday 2 August 2026 - Mad Hatter's Family Fun Day
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 1:50pm, last race at 5:30pm

Special Shuttle Bus Services to Ballybrit Racecourse

From Eyre Square (Galway city centre)

A Galway Races shuttle service will run between Galway city centre and the Galway Racecourse.

Fares

Adult: €8 single and €10 return.
Children: €4 single and €5 return.

Cash only: Leap cards, TFI Go and card payments are NOT accepted.
Buy your ticket when you catch the bus: no bookings are possible.
Free Travel Pass and TaxSaver tickets are not accepted

Route

Shuttle buses leave from the west side of Eyre Square, outside the Skeffington Arms Hotel (map). They leave Eyre Square as soon as they are full depending on demand.

These shuttle buses do not pick-up or drop-off along the way. See "Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit" below for information about services which do.

Drop off at Ballybrit Racecourse is through the tunnel entrance, within 50 yards from the course-entry.

Times

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

Buses from 2pm
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, and after the races

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Buses from 2pm
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, and after the races.
Traditionally there are fewer buses on Sunday, and it may be better to catch the regular 401-Ballybrit or 409 bus: Extra buses are usually put on route 409 to meet demand later in the afternoon.

From Oranmore

Oranmore Races 2026 timetable

Local businesses have coordinated a bus-service:

Timetable is likely to be posted on the Oranmore Facebook page.
The bus stop is in the village, outside the Olde Brewery pub.
Tickets are available on the bus only. They cost €15 for return bus transfer and a complimentary drink one of the supporting pubs.
You must keep your ticket stubs for the return journey and your free drink.

From Athenry

Reglar train services from from Athenry Galway-Ceantt Station, which is 3 minutes walk from the Races shttle bus stop in Eyre Square.

In previous years, buses ran from/to the Raheen Woods hotel - services for this year have not yet been announced.

Farrells of Athenry may run night-link buses on extra nights, for people who been socialising in the city.

From Claregalway

Paul Nash Travel is running a daily park-and-ride / shuttle service from The Arches and Claregalway Hotels. Fare is €4 per person, each day.
Based on last year, buses will most probbably leave each hotel from 1.5 hours before racing starts, and return for 1.5 hours after the last race.
For more information, call them on 087 816 1400 or email paulnashtravel@gmail.com

TO BE CONFIRMED: Bus4U special bus from Roscommon also pick up in Claregalway

Regular public transport services from to and from Galway City (see the Claregalway Neighbourhood Map for details) connect with both city and races shuttle buses.

From Loughrea

Lough Rea Hotel and Spa are offering a Galway-races bus package on Monday to Thursday, which isopen to the public and hotel guests. It must be booked in advance. Phone or email them for details: (091) 88 00 88 or email sales@loughreahotelandspa.com

From Roscommon

Bus4U have run a service in previous years - not announcement has been made as yet.

From Tuam

Burkes services from Tuam and Dunmore travel into Galway along the Tuam Road. They have a regular bus-stop at the racecourse entrance at Two Mile Ditch, beside Kenny Motors and McMahons. See North Galway regional bus services for links to their pages.

From other towns

Some hotels in County Galway and beyond offer packages including races tickets and access to a shuttle-bus - contact them directly for more information.

Apart from that, there are not usually special services from other Irish cities. Instead, use the use national and regional services to get to Galway: these stop very close to where the races shuttle buses leave from.

Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit

The Avenue (back) entrance to the racecourse (number (5) on the Parkmore area map) is served by these buses, which pick up from all stops along their route:

Route 401 - through from Salthill to Eyre Square, and then travels along College Rd, through Wellpark, Mervue, Castlepark and Ballybrit, then on to Parkmore
Route 409 - from Eyre Square, travels along the College and Dublin and Doughiska Roads.

These routes will end at the Briarhill Shopping Centre Junction between approximately

3pm to 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
1pm to 3pm on Thursday.

The last bus-stop during these times is at the top of Doughiska Rd (route 409) or Clayton Hotel (route 401) - see the Doughiska neighbourhood map for locations.

Also routes 401 and 409 will not use the stops nearest to the Avenue entrance after the race meeting ends each day. Instead, passengers will get off / on the bus at the Parkmore roundabout stop (200m north of the Avenue bus stop). Affected times:

Monday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Tuesday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday 7-9pm
Thursday 7-10pm
Friday 8-10pm
Saturday 5:30 - 7pm

Note: These times are based on the overall road closure times in the area, and may be extended if there are traffic management problems in the area.

On these buses, the usual city bus fares apply, and Leap cards, Travel Pass and TaxSaver tickets can be used.

Changes to regional bus service

In previous years, Burkes Buses did not run the the 8:10am Tuam to Galway / University in Race Week and the week after.

All other Galway regional bus services are expected to operate normally during Race Week - though may suffer some delays due to traffic volumes.

Trains

Irish Rail have announced that there will be one additional train each day between Monday 27th and Thusday 30th July 2026, from Dublin Heuston to Galway, at 9:45am .

Traffic Management Plan for the Galway Races 2026

The latest traffic-management plan is available here.

And the accompanying map is here.

This is similar to previous years. Key points:

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore south) can travel via Carnmore Cross and use the Blue Route - Avenue (Parkmore Road) entrance - garda will control crossing right turn at Briarhill junction.
There is no access to the Avenue entrance from the N6 Eastbound (Dublin road) during the road closed times (listed above, under city bus changes).

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore and south) can travel via the old N6 and Galway clinic to use the Red route Tunnel entrance.
After the Briarhill junction, races traffic use the right lane, and city traffic use the left lane.

Traffic from the north (Tuam) can use the Green route - Hill / Tuam Rd entrance - or turn left at the Parkmore Rd and use the Avenue entrance.

Traffic from the city and west can use either the red entrance (via Bothar na dTtreabh), or the green or blue entrance (via Tuam Rd).

Taxis have a special lane through the Green entrance

Gort area, summer bus service, 2026

2026-06-23T01:34:55.791+01:00

The National Parks and Wildlife service are running a bus service in the Gort area for summer 2026 - between 1 June 1 and 31 August 2026.

Called the Yeats-Gregory Explorer, there are two mini-buses running, with 12 daily services between:

Market Square, Coole Park, Kiltartan-Gregory Museum, Thor Ballylee Tower
Market Square, Kilmacduagh Monastery, Garryland Wood.

There is a signposted bus stop in Market Square, just south of the main village bus stop, and opposite the AIB bank.

The timetable is on display at each bus stop, and is pictured below. A printable version is here.

The service is are free for adults and children

Buses are not wheelchair accessible.

New night-bus to Claregalway, Knockdoe, Corofin and Tuam

2026-02-26T20:30:00.000+00:00

Mullins Bus Hire have announced that they are running late-night buses between Galway and Tuam, with stops in Claregalway, Knockdoe and Corofin Cross.

Buses will run on Friday, Saturday and bank-holiday Sunday nights, between Tuam (Joe O'Toole Road bus stop) and Galway Coach Station (see Regional Bus Stops for a location map).

The service starts on Friday 26 December 2025.

Initial timetable

Friday

Tuam to Galway: 20:45, 22:04, and early Saturday morning: 00:30, 01:55

Galway to Tuam: 21:25, 23:45 and early Saturday morning 01:15, 02:35

Saturday (and Sundays on bank-holiday weekends)

Tuam to Galway: 20:45, 22:04, and early Sunday morning: 00:30, 01:55

Galway to Tuam: 21:25, 23:45 and early Sunday morning 01:15, 02:35

Booking and fares

Seats can be booked on the Mullins Bus website.

The full journey is $10 each way. It's not clear if shorter distances are less (only the full distance can be booked to start with).

This is an unsubsidised, private bus company service. Free Travel Pass is not accepted.

More information

Contact Mullins Bus Hire:

Email: info@mullinsbus.ie
Phone: 087 698 2535

Buses to the Galway Races, 2025

2025-07-22T22:50:00.000+01:00

The information below is for 2025.

See Galway Races bus and train information for this year's services.

Public transport and traffic-management plans for the Galway Races Summer Meeting between Monday 28 July - Sunday 3 August 2025.

Summary

Races shuttle buses will run from Eyre Square, leaving from outside the Skeff.

Some bus companies are running special services from various towns and villages. Some hotels are also organising shuttle services.

Bus Eireann's route 409 - Parkmore and route 401 - Salthill to Ballybrit / Parkmore Industrial city buses go to the racecourse (Avenue entrance). But there are restrictions during peak racing traffic hours Mon - Fri, and you will be dropped approx 20 minutes walk from the entrance
Regular city services during Race Week cost €1.35 per journey if you use a Leap Card.

There are some changes to regular regional buses during race week and the next week.

Race days and times

Monday 28 July 2025 - Opening Day
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:10pm, last race at 8:20pm

Tuesday 29 July 2025 - Colm Quinn BMW Tuesday
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:05pm, last race at 8:20pm

Wednesday 30 July 2025 - Galway Plate Day / Country Music Day
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:05pm, last race at 8:20pm

Thursday 31 July 2025 - Ladies Day
Gates open at 11:15am, first race at 2:10pm, last race at 6:05pm

Friday 1 August 2025 - Friday's Most Stylish
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5pm, last race at 8:40pm

Saturday 2 August 2025 - The Weekender
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 2pm, last race at 6:05pm

Sunday 3 August 2025 - Mad Hatter's Family Fun Day
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 1:50pm, last race at 5:30pm

Special Shuttle Bus Services to Ballybrit Racecourse

From Eyre Square (Galway city centre)

A Galway Races shuttle service will run between Galway city centre and the Galway Racecourse.

Fares

Adult: €8 single and €10 return.
Children: €4 single and €5 return.

Cash only: Leap cards, TFI Go and card payments are NOT accepted.
Buy your ticket when you catch the bus: no bookings are possible.
Free Travel Pass and TaxSaver tickets are not accepted

Route

Shuttle buses leave from the west side of Eyre Square, outside the Skeffington Arms Hotel (map). They leave Eyre Square as soon as they are full depending on demand.

These shuttle buses do not pick-up or drop-off along the way. See "Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit" below for information about services which do.

Drop off at Ballybrit Racecourse is through the tunnel entrance, within 50 yards from the course-entry.

Times

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

Buses from 2pm
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, and after the races, with the last return bus at 10:30pm.

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Buses from 2pm
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, and after the races, with the last bus at 9pm.
Traditionally there are fewer buses on Sunday, and it may be better to catch the regular 401-Ballybrit or 409 bus: Extra buses are usually put on route 409 to meet demand later in the afternoon.

From Oranmore

Local businesses have coordinated a bus-service:

Timetable is available on the Oranmore Facebook page.
The bus stop is in the village, outside the Olde Brewery pub.
Tickets are available on the bus only. They cost €15 for return bus transfer and a complimentary drink one of the supporting pubs.
You must keep your ticket stubs for the return journey and your free drink.

From Athenry

Reglar train services from Athenry stop at Ceantt Station, which is 3 minutes walk from the Races shttle bus stop in Eyre Square.

In previous years, buses ran from/to the Raheen Woods hotel - services for this year have not yet been announced.

Farrells of Athenry may run night-link buses on extra nights, for people who been socialising in the city.

From Claregalway

Paul Nash Travel is running a daily park-and-ride / shuttle service from The Arches and Claregalway Hotels. Buses will leave each hotel from 1.5 hours before racing starts, and retu8rn for 1.5 hours after the last racel.
For more information, call them on 087 816 1400 or email paulnashtravel@gmail.com

TO BE CONFIRMED: Bus4U special bus from Roscommon also pick up in Claregalway

Regular public transport services from to and from Galway City (see the Claregalway Neighbourhood Map for details) connect with both city and races shuttle buses.

From Loughrea

Lough Rea Hotel and Spa are offering a Galway-races bus package, which isopen to the public and hotel guests. It must be booked in advance. Phone or email them for details: (091) 88 00 88 or email sales@loughreahotelandspa.com

From Roscommon

Bus4U have run a service in previous years - not announcement has been made as yet.

From Tuam

From other towns

Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit

The Avenue (back) entrance to the racecourse (number (5) on the Parkmore area map) is served by these buses, which pick up from all stops along their route:

Route 401 - through from Salthill to Eyre Square, and then travels along College Rd, through Wellpark, Mervue, Castlepark and Ballybrit, then on to Parkmore
Route 409 - from Eyre Square, travels along the College and Dublin and Doughiska Roads.

These routes will end at the Briarhill Shopping Centre Junction between approximately

3pm to 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
1pm to 3pm on Thursday.

The last bus-stop during these times is at the top of Doughiska Rd (route 409) or Clayton Hotel (route 401) - see the Doughiska neighbourhood map for locations.

Monday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Tuesday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday 7-9pm
Thursday 7-10pm
Friday 8-10pm
Saturday 5:30 - 7pm

Changes to regional bus service

Burkes Buses have announced that the 8:10am Tuam to Galway / University will not run between 28-July and 8 August (ie Race Week and the week after).

All other Galway regional bus services are expected to operate normally during Race Week - though may suffer some delays due to traffic volumes.

Trains

As at the start of race week, no extra services have been announced.

Traffic Management Plan for the Galway Races 2025

The full traffic-management plan for 2023/24 is available here.

And the accompanying map is here.

This is similar to previous years. Key points:

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore south) can travel via Carnmore Cross and use the Blue Route - Avenue (Parkmore Road) entrance - garda will control crossing right turn at Briarhill junction.
There is no access to the Avenue entrance from the N6 Eastbound (Dublin road) during the road closed times (listed above, under city bus changes).

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore and south) can travel via the old N6 and Galway clinic to use the Red route Tunnel entrance.
After the Briarhill junction, races traffic use the right lane, and city traffic use the left lane.

Traffic from the north (Tuam) can use the Green route - Hill / Tuam Rd entrance - or turn left at the Parkmore Rd and use the Avenue entrance.

Traffic from the city and west can use either the red entrance (via Bothar na dTtreabh), or the green or blue entrance (via Tuam Rd).

Taxis have a special lane through the Green entrance

Bus Eireann on-line seat-booking and ticket-purchase has been stopped

2025-04-21T11:32:00.000+01:00

Ticket office and public information service at Bus Éireann's Galway Bus Station, May 2025

Bus Éireann have announced that from 8 April 20205, it is not possible to book seats or buy tickets on-line for their public local and commuter bus services.

The only exception is for Expressway services, for which tickets can still be booked and purchased online, using the Expressway website.

For all other Bus Éireann services, the only way to buy a ticket is:

With a Leap Card: Single tickets and some 24 hour and 7-Day / 1-week tickets can be bought from a bus driver, using a Leap-card
With the Transport For Ireland TFI Go App: Single, 2 Journey and 10 Journey tickets, and 24-hour and 7-Day / 1-week tickets can be purchased using the Transport for Ireland TFI Go smart-phone app.
From the driver on a board bus using with cash
From a ticket vending machines at main bus stations only, using cash or an ATM / debit card.

This means that the only way to "buy" a seat in advance on Bus Éireann non-expressway coaches is to buy a ticket from a ticket vending machine at a main bus station - and tickets like this do not guarantee that a seat will be available.

There is no way to book seats for most Bus Éireann services. The only exception is wheelchair accessible Regional PSO services, which must be booked by phoning LoCall: 0818 294 015 (or +353 1 575 6110 from outside of the Republic of Ireland) at least 24 hours in advance.

Ticket office services are no longer available.

You cannot buy ticket for Bus Eireann regional buses in advance any more

Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 bus and train services in Galway

2024-12-20T00:57:00.000+00:00

The information below is for 2024/25.

Click here for the latest Galway Christmas bus and train information.

A summary of bus and train services in Galway city and county

for the

2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year period.

This is based on information published by the bus companies, and may change.
Always check the services you want to use with the bus company.

Bus Company Announcements

Christmas timetable announcements from the major public transport companies in Galway: always check the company website or social media page for detailed information.

Burkes route 427, route 435 -- Bus4U -- Bus Éireann -- Bus Feda -- City Direct -- CityLink -- Farrells -- Healy Bus -- LocalLink

Irish Rail

Overall / before 24 December 2025

Almost all services run normally - there are some exceptions for early morning or student services:

Bus Feda extra student services stop between 20-Dec and 12 Jan - but regular services run.

Park-and-commute from NUIG and ATU/CMTI to the city-centre, runs from 19-24 December. More info ...

Tuesday 24 December 2025

Normal weekday timetable, until 8 / 9pm on most services - with come exceptions, eg no Healy bus services, reduced Bus Feda services.

Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day

The 12:30am Citylink bus from Dublin Airport to Galway will not run
Some taxi companies will offer a limited service - but many will be closed.

All other services - trains and city and regional buses - are cancelled.

Thursday 26 December - Steven's Day

Most companies run a regular Sunday service - but some are not operating at all.

No trains will run.

CityLink run a normal service, except the except the 12:15am from Dublin City / 12:30am from Dublin Airport.

Friday 27 December

Mostly regular weekday services, some companies offering Sunday services.

Saturday 28 December

Mostly regular Saturday services, with some exceptions. Some companies are running Saturday services all week.

Sunday 29 December

Mostly regular Sunday services, with some exceptions.

Monday 30 December

Mostly a regular Weekday service.

Tuesday 31 December - New Year's Eve

Mostly a regular Weekday service in Galway City all day and all night - with some exceptions, especially evening trains and some regional buses.

Wednesday 1 January - New Year's Day

Most companies are running Sunday services.

Thursday 2 January - Day after New Year's onwards

This is a normal working day, and most companies will run regular timetables form now on: some have exceptions for student and/or early morning or late evening services.

Please note

This information is for the Galway area only. Changes in other areas are not included.
See City Bus Details and Regional Bus Details for normal timetables and route maps

New evening bus-service from Galway to Loughrea

2024-12-14T00:24:00.000+00:00

Local Link Galway have announced they will be running three buses from Galway city to Loughrea each evening/night, starting on Monday 23 December 2024.

Route 439 will run from Galway Cathedral, stopping at Eyre Square, The G Hotel, ATU (formerly GMIT) Dublin Road, Oranmore Town Centre, Derrydonnell Cross, Craughwell, and Loughrea (Supervalu Athenry Rd, and Beattys).

This is a 7-day, Monday to Sunday service, running every day except Christmas Day.

Buses will leave Eyre Square at 7:30pm, 9:30pm and 11:30pm. Each journey takes approx. 50 minutes.

No return (Loughrea to Galway) services are run by LocalLink - see East Galway regional buses for other options.

Fares have not been announced yet, but will probably be available on this page soon. Leap card is accepted, and gives a 30% discount. Free travel pass is also accepted on LocalLink services.

For queries, or to book a seat, phone (091) 842 384, or see www.locallinkgalway.ie

Decreases to City Direct Galway city fares

2024-11-07T01:37:00.000+00:00

City Direct have announced "we've made an update across all fare options".

They didn't give any details, but there has been standardisation with fares on other Galway city bus services, and a substantial decrease in some fares.

For example, a adult single fare paid with a Leap card is now €1.35, and was previously €2.20. This is a 39% decrease.

New fares

Effective-date not stated, but perhaps 3 November 2024

ADULT FARES

Single Cash Fare - €1.90
Leap Single Fare - €1.35
Leap Weekly Ticket - €16.80
Leap Monthly Ticket - €60.00

CHILD FARES

Single Cash - €0.90
Leap Single Fare - €0.65
Leap Weekly Ticket - €7.80
Leap Monthly Ticket - €29.00

YOUNG ADULT

Leap Single Fare - €0.65

STUDENT FARES

Leap Monthly Ticket - €42.00

Advertised fares as at 16 June 2024

(source: Internet Archive)

ADULT FARES

Single Cash Fare - €2.70
Monthly Ticket - €65
Weekly Ticket - €20
Leap Single Fare - €2.20
Leap Monthly Ticket - €65
Leap Weekly Ticket - €20

CHILD FARES

Single Cash (3-12 years) - €1
Single Cash (13-16 years) - €1.50
Weekly Ticket - €15
Leap Single (3-16 years) - €1.40
Leap Weekly Ticket - €15 (up to 16 years old)
Leap Monthly Ticket - €42 (up to 16 years old)

STUDENT FARES

Single Cash Fare - €2 - applies from the 1st of September to the 31st of May on all routes. I.D. is required.
Leap Card Single - €1.90 - accepted from the 1st of September to the 31st of May on all routes.
Leap Monthly Ticket - €55

Bus Éireann Expressway fare increases, July 2024

2024-07-26T17:22:00.000+01:00

Bus Éireann have announced that Expressway bus fares are going up, from 29 July 2024.

Adult single fares are increasing by at least 50 cent (more for longer journeys).
On average, fares are going up by 4.5%.
eg Galway / Cork adult single increases from €17.60 to €18.40
A new 6-trip weekly ticket is available: You can buy it either online or the a bus, and you get a discount of up to 22%
(This ticket is aimed at people who work-from-home part of the week. There is an existing 10-trip weekly ticket which can be purchased the same way)

Buses to the Galway Races, 2024

2024-07-26T11:55:00.000+01:00

The information below is for 2024.

See Galway Races bus and train information for this year's services.

Public transport and traffic-management plans for the Galway Races Summer Meeting between Monday 29 July - Sunday 4 August 2024.

Summary

Races shuttle buses will run from Eyre Square, leaving from outside the Skeff.

Some bus companies are running special services from various towns and villages. Some hotels are also organising shuttle services.

Bus Eireann's route 409 - Parkmore and route 401 - Salthill to Ballybrit / Parkmore Industrial city buses go to the racecourse (Avenue entrance). But there are restrictions during peak racing traffic hours Mon - Fri, and you will be dropped approx 20 minutes walk from the entrance
BE have announced that regular city services during Race Week cost €1.35 per journey if you use a Leap Card.

There are some changes to regular regional buses during race week and the next week.

Race days and times

Monday 29 July 2024 - Opening Day
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 4:50pm, last race at 8:15pm

Tuesday 30 July 2024 - 80's Night
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 4:50pm, last race at 8:15pm

Wednesday 31 July 2024 - Country Music Day
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 4:50pm, last race at 8:15pm

Thursday 1 August 20243 - Ladies Day
Gates open at 11:15am, first race at 2:10pm, last race at 6:10pm

Friday 2 August 20243 - Friday's Most Stylish
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5pm, last race at 8:40pm

Saturday 3 August 2024 - The Weekender
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 1:55pm, last race at 5:55pm

Sunday 4 August 2024 - Mad Hatter's Family Fun Day
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 1:50pm, last race at 5:30pm

Special Shuttle Bus Services to Ballybrit Racecourse

From Eyre Square (Galway city centre)

A Galway Races shuttle service will run between Galway city centre and the Galway Racecourse.

Fares

Adult: €6 single and €10 return.
Children: €3 single and €5 return.

Cash only: Leap cards, TFI Go and card payments are NOT accepted.
Buy your ticket when you catch the bus: no bookings are possible.
Free Travel Pass and TaxSaver tickets are not accepted

Route

Shuttle buses leave from the west side of Eyre Square, outside the Skeffington Arms Hotel (map). Drop off is through the tunnel entrance, within 50 yards from the course-entry.

These shuttle buses do not pick-up or drop-off along the way. See "Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit" below for information about services which do.

Times

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

Buses from 2pm
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, and after the races

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Buses from 2pm
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, and after the races
Traditionally there are fewer buses on Sunday, and it may be better to catch the regular 401-Ballybrit or 409 bus: Extra buses are usually put on route 409 to meet demand later in the afternoon.

From Oranmore

Local businesses have coordinated a bus-service:

Updates will be announced on their Facebook page.
The bus stop is in the village, outside the Olde Brewery pub.
The first bus will leave the village at:
4pm on Mond and Tues (three services)
3:45pm on Wed (four services)
12:30pm on Thurs (four services)
3:30pm on Fri (eight services)
1pm on Sat and Sun (one service)
Return buses will start just after the last race each day.
Tickets are available on the bus only. They cost €13 for return bus transfer and a complimentary drink one of the supporting pubs.
You must keep your ticket stubs for the return journey and your free drink.

From Athenry

In previous years, buses ran from/to the Raheen Woods hotel - services for this year have not yet been announced.

Farrells of Athenry services to Galway city are running as normal: they drop off in Eyre Square at the same place where the regular 401 and 409 services leave from, across the Square from the races-shuttle bus stop.

From Claregalway

Paul Nash Travel is running a daily park-and-ride / shuttle service from The Arches and Claregalway Hotels. Buses will leave each hotel from 1.5 hours before racing starts, and retu8rn for 1.5 hours after the last racel.
For more information, call them on 087 816 1400 or email paulnashtravel@gmail.com

TO BE CONFIRMED: Bus4U special bus from Roscommon also pick up in Claregalway

Regular public transport services from to and from Galway City (see the Claregalway Neighbourhood Map for details) connect with both city and races shuttle buses.

From Loughrea

In previous years, Lough Rea Hotel offered a bus package, which was open to the public and hotel guests. It must be booked in advance. Phone or email them for details: (091) 88 00 88 or email sales@loughreahotelandspa.com

From Roscommon

To be advised

From Tuam

From other towns

Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit

The Avenue (back) entrance to the racecourse (number (5) on the Parkmore area map) is served by these buses, which pick up from all stops along their route:

Route 401 - through from Salthill to Eyre Square, and then travels along College Rd, through Wellpark, Mervue, Castlepark and Ballybrit, then on to Parkmore
Route 409 - from Eyre Square, travels along the College and Dublin and Doughiska Roads.

These routes will end at the Briarhill Shopping Centre Junction between approximately

3pm to 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
1pm to 3pm on Thursday.

The last bus-stop during these times is at the top of Doughiska Rd (route 409) or Clayton Hotel (route 401) - see the Doughiska neighbourhood map for locations.

Monday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Tuesday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday 7-9pm
Thursday 7-10pm
Friday 8-10pm
Saturday 5:30 - 7pm

Changes to regional bus service

Burkes Buses have announced that:

These services are not running during Race Week:

7:30am from Tuam to Galway
1:40pm from Galway to Tuam
4:20pm from Galway to Tuam

4pm from Galway to Headford
4:45pm from Headford to Galway

All other Galway regional bus services are expected to operate normally during Race Week - though may suffer some delays due to traffic volumes.

Trains

As at the start of race week, no extra services have been announced.

Traffic Management Plan for the Galway Races 2023

The full traffic-management plan for 2023/24 is available here.

And the accompanying map is here.

This is similar to previous years. Key points:

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore south) can travel via Carnmore Cross and use the Blue Route - Avenue (Parkmore Road) entrance - garda will control crossing right turn at Briarhill junction.
There is no access to the Avenue entrance from the N6 Eastbound (Dublin road) during the road closed times (listed above, under city bus changes).

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore and south) can travel via the old N6 and Galway clinic to use the Red route Tunnel entrance.
After the Briarhill junction, races traffic use the right lane, and city traffic use the left lane.

Traffic from the north (Tuam) can use the Green route - Hill / Tuam Rd entrance - or turn left at the Parkmore Rd and use the Avenue entrance.

Traffic from the city and west can use either the red entrance (via Bothar na dTtreabh), or the green or blue entrance (via Tuam Rd).

Taxis have a special lane through the Green entrance

Christmas 2023 / New Year 2024 bus and train services in Galway

2023-12-24T02:31:00.000+00:00

The information below is for 2023 / 24.
Click here for the latest Galway Christmas bus and train information.

A summary of bus and train services in Galway city and county

for the

2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year period.

This is based on information published by the bus companies, and may change.
Always check the services you want to use with the bus company.

Bus Company Announcements

Christmas timetable announcements from the major public transport companies in Galway:

Aircoach -- Burkes -- Bus4U -- Bus Éireann -- Bus Feda -- City Direct -- CityLink / Eireagle / GoBus -- Farrells -- Healy Bus -- LocalLink

Irish Rail

Overall / before 24 December

Almost all services run normally - there are some exceptions for early morning or student services.

Park-and-ride from Ballyrit to the city-centre, runs from 11-24 December. More info ...

Sunday 24 December

Normal Sunday timetable, until 8 / 9pm on most services

Monday 25 December - Christmas Day

The 12:30am Citylink bus from Dublin Airport to Galway will run
Some taxi companies will offer a limited service - but many will be closed.

All other services - trains and city and regional buses - are cancelled.

Tuesday 26 December - St Steven's Day

Most companies run a regular Sunday service - but some are not operating at all. No trains will run.

Wednesday 27 December

Mostly regular weekday services, some companies offering Sunday services

Thursday - Saturday 28-30 December

Mostly regular weekday services, with some exceptions. Some companies are running Saturday services all week.

Sunday 31 December - New Year's Eve

Mostly a regular Sunday service in Galway City all day and all night - with some exceptions, especially evening trains and some regional buses

Monday 1 January - New Year's Day

Most companies are running Sunday services.

Tuesday 2 January - Day after New Year's onwards

This is a normal working day, and most companies will run regular timetables form now on: some have exceptions for student and/or early morning or late evening services.

Please note

This information is for the Galway area only. Changes in other areas are not included.
See City Bus Details and Regional Bus Details for normal timetables and route maps

2023 Christmas Park-and-Ride in Galway city

2023-12-11T20:31:00.000+00:00

A park-and-ride service will run in Galway City for the Christmas 2023 shopping period.

It will every day between Friday 8 December and Sunday 25 December,

The service is being operated on behalf of Galway City Council, who commission and fund this service.

Hours of operation

Buses run every 15 minutes:

Monday - Saturday: Between 9:30am to 9.15pm, (last departure from Ballybrit at 9:15pm)
Sunday: Between 11am - 7pm

And every 30 minutes between 7pm and 9pm on Sundays

On 24 Dec, Christmas Eve, the last bus will leave the city-centre in the early evening - the exact time is to be advised, in previous years, it has been 5:30pm.

Parking area and city-centre bus stop

Parking is provided at Ballybrit Racecourse - see the Parkmore Neighbourhood Map for details of this area.

The central city drop-off and pick-up point is the Galway Coach Station (point "S" on the regional bus stops map).

There is no arrangement for cars to be left at Ballybrit overnight: cars which are left there are at the owner's risk.

Cost

The fare is €1 each way per adult, This includes all-day parking

Children under age 16 and pensioners (possibly even all Free-travel passholders) travel for free.

Galway City daily, weekly and monthly tickets are not accepted.

Route

Buses use the most appropriate route between the race-course and the city centre: Normally this will be the bus lanes. There are no pickup or drop-off points between the city-centre and the race-course.

Wheelchair accessible buses are available (the announcements have not said if they will be used on all services).

New Mayo - Tuam - Athlone - Dublin Airport bus route 721, from September 2023

2023-08-25T11:57:00.002+01:00

Citylink have announced that they will start a coach service between Mayo and Dublin Airport, from 25 September 2023. This service will run from Castlebar, with stops in Claremorris, Tuam, Athlone and Dublin city-centre.

Timetable information and ticket-bookings will be available on their website from the official launch-date of 1 September 2023: initially there will be six services each way, seven days a week.

Introductory fares of €5 per journey will be available to start with: Long-term prices are to be announced.

The map below gives an initial indication of the route, exact stop details will be added as they are announced.

This service has been licensed by GoBus since 2021, but has not operated previously.

Route 438 - Galway - Tuam, via Annaghdown, Corrundulla, Headford, Belcare

2023-05-23T00:24:00.005+01:00

This bus is a 7-days a week, 3 services a day bus route between Galway and Tuam, via Menlo, Clonboo, Annaghdown, Corrundulla, Aucloggeen, Headford, Caherlistrane and Belcare.

It started running on 23 May 2023, and is funded by the by the National Transport Authority as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network, under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

Service Details

Operated by: LocalLink Galway

Timetable: Times

Booking: Recommended for all LocalLink services - call 091 842384

Route: Galway Cathedral, Dyke Rd, Menlo - Monument Cross, Kiloughter Rd, Ballindooley, N84, Curraghline, Clonboo, Anaghdown Rd, Annaghdown, Cloonleenaun, Corrundulla Cross, Corrundulla, Corrandulla Cemetery, Aucloggeen, Bunatubber / Bunatober, Kilcoona, Bunanraun, Deerpark Woods, Headford (Tesco / ex Joyces), Deerpark Woods, R333, Caherlistrane and Belcare, N83, Galway Rd, High Street, Vicar Stree.

Route map

(bus stop positions are approximate)

Christmas 2022 / New Year 2023 bus and train services in Galway

2022-12-20T14:58:00.006+00:00

Below is a summary of bus and train services in Galway city and county

for the

2022 Christmas and 2023 New Year period.

Click here for the latest Galway Christmas bus and train information.

This is based on information published by the bus companies, and may change.
Always check the services you want to use with the bus company.

Bus Company Announcements

Christmas timetable announcements from the major public transport companies in Galway:

Aircoach -- Burkes -- Bus4U -- Bus Éireann -- Bus Feda -- City Direct -- CityLink / Eireagle -- Farrells -- GoBus -- Healy Bus -- LocalLink

Irish Rail

Before 24 December

CityLink route 763: 7:35am Kinnegad to Galway and 7:45am Ballinasloe to Galway will not run until 3 January 2023.

Park-and-ride from Ballyrit to the city-centre, runs from 10-24 December. More info ...

Saturday 24 December

City Buses

Bus Éireann will run a regular Saturday service in Galway City - except that buses due to depart after 9pm will not not run.

CityDirect:

Routes 411, 412 and 414: Saturday timetable, last bus from Eyre Square at 8:45pm.

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes: reduced service, last bus from Tuam at 3:10pm, last bus from Galway at 5:40pm
Bus Feda - reduced service (only 2 buses to Galway)
Bus4U - normal Saturday service
Farrells: last Daylink bus from Athenry at 2pm, and from Galway at 4pm. Nitelink buses will not operate
Healy Bus - Saturday timetable, with extra buses from Loughrea at 8am 11am 2pm, and Galway at 1:10pm and 6:10pm
LocalLink - normal services

Bus Eireann will run regular Saturday services until approx 9pm
CityLink:
07:35am Kinnegad to Galway and 07:45 Ballinasloe to Galway will not run.
Otherwise normal service until the last Galway to Dublin airport service at 7:15pm. Then no further services.
GoBus:
Dublin: Normal services until the last bus from Galway at 2:45PM and the last bus from Dublin Airport / City at 7:45 / 8:15PM.
Ballina - normal services.

Trains

Normal Saturday service

Sunday 25 December - Christmas Day

The 12:30am Citylink bus from Dublin Airport to Galway will run
Some taxi companies will offer a limited service - but many will be closed.

All other services - trains and city and regional buses - are cancelled.

Monday 26 December - St Steven's Day

City Buses

Bus Eireann will run a regular Sunday service on all routes in Galway City - but with no services before 9am
CityDirect - Sunday timetable

Regional buses:

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - very limited service
Bus Eireann - regular Sunday timetable, with some alternations - see their website for details
Bus Feda - No service
Bus4U - Sunday service
Farrells - Normal Sunday timetable, with 12pm and 2pm buses departing from Tesco (formerly Joyces) due to the Athenry 10K Road Race. Full Nitelink service will run.
CityLink: normal service, except the 12:30am Dublin airport to Galway service will not run
GoBus -
Dublin: normal services except the 1215am
Ballina: no services
Healy Bus - no service
LocalLink - no services

Trains

No trains will run

Tuesday 27 December

City buses

Bus Eireann - regular weekday service
CityDirect - Sunday timetable

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - reduced service
Bus Eireann - Weekday service on all regional routes
Bus Feda - reduced service
Bus4U - Sunday service
Farrells - Sunday timetable, with full Nitelink service running
CityLink: Normal services
GoBus - Normal services
Healy Bus - no service
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

Reduced service - see Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Wednesday 28 December

City buses

Bus Eireann will run a regular weekday service
CityDirect - normal weekday timetable

Regional buses

Aircoach -normal service
Burkes - normal service
Bus Eireann - Saturday service on all regional routes
Bus Feda - regular service
Bus4U - Sunday service
Farrells - No 7am or 9am buses, otherwise normal weekday service
CityLink: Normal services
GoBus - Normal services
Healy Bus - buses from Loughrea at 8am 11am 2pm, and Galway at 1:10pm and 6:10pm
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

Reduced service - see Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Thursday 29 December

City buses

Bus Eireann will run a regular weekday service
CityDirect - normal weekday timetable

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - normal service
Bus Eireann - weekday service
Bus Feda - regular service
Bus4U - reduced service
Farrells - No 7am or 9am buses, otherwise normal weekday service
CityLink: Normal services
GoBus - Normal services
Healy Bus - buses from Loughrea at 8am 11am 2pm, and Galway at 1:10pm and 6:10pm
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

Reduced service - see Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Friday 30 December

City buses

Bus Eireann will run a regular weekday service
CityDirect -normal weekday timetable

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - normal service
Bus Eireann - weekday service
Bus Feda - regular service
Bus4U - reduced service
Farrells - No 7am or 9am buses, otherwise normal weekday service
CityLink: Normal service
GoBus - Normal services
Healy Bus - buses from Loughrea at 8am 11am 2pm, and Galway at 1:10pm and 6:10pm
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

Reduced service - see Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Saturday 31 December - New Year's Eve

City Buses

Bus Éireann will run a regular weekday service in Galway City. This may end in the middle of the evening: exact time to be announced

CityDirect - regular Saturday service, until the last bus at 6:45pm

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - reduced service, last bus from Tuam at 3:10pm, last bus from Galway at 5:40pm
Bus Eireann - Saturday service
Bus Feda - reduced service
Bus4U - reduced service
Farrells - Normal Saturday service
CityLink: Normal service
GoBus - Normal services
Healy Bus - buses from Loughrea at 8am 11am 2pm, and Galway at 1:10pm and 6:10pm
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

Normal Saturday service - see Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Sunday 1 January - New Year's Day

City Buses

Bus Eireann will run a regular Sunday service
CityDirect - regular Sunday service

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - Sunday service
Bus Eireann - Sunday service on all regional routes
Bus Feda - very limited service
Bus4U - Sunday service
Farrells - Normal Sunday Daylink Service, full Nitelink services runs
CityLink: Normal Sunday service
GoBus - Normal services
Healy Bus - no service
LocalLink - No services

Trains

Reduced service - see Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Monday 2 January - Day after New Year's

City Buses

Bus Eireann will run a regular Sunday service
CityDirect - regular Sunday servcie

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - normal Sunday service
Bus Eireann - regular Sunday / bank-holiday service on all regional routes
Bus Feda - reduced service
Bus4U - Sunday service
Farrells - Normal Bank Holiday service
CityLink: Normal service
GoBus - Dublin: Sunday service. Ballina: Normal service.
Healy Bus - no service
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

See Irish Rail's journey planner for details of services that are running

Tuesday 3 January onwards

City Buses

Bus Eireann will run regular services in Galway City
CityDirect - normal timetables from today onwards

Regional buses

Aircoach - normal service
Burkes - normal service from today onward
Bus Eireann - regular service on all regional routes
Bus Feda - regular service
Bus4U - regular service
Farrells - Normal service
CityLink: regular service
GoBus - to be advised - based on last year, likely to be a normal service
Healy Bus - normal service
LocalLink - normal services

Trains

Regular services from today onwards

Please note

This information is for the Galway area only. Changes in other areas are not included.
See City Bus Details and Regional Bus Details for normal timetables and route maps

Regional bus route 431 - Claremorris to Carna / Carraroe

2022-10-09T17:48:00.004+01:00

This bus route is a 7-days a week, 4 services a day service between Claremorris to Carraroe, via Maam Cross.

It started running on 3 October 2022, and is funded by the by the National Transport Authority as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.

The timetable is planned to connect with regional train services at Claremorris, and regional bus services at Maam Cross and Costelloe.

Service Details

Operated by: LocalLink Galway

Timetable: Times

Booking: Recommended for all LocalLink services - call 091 842384

Route: Carna (Costelloe), Screebe, Maam Cross, Maum, Cornamona, Clonbur, Cong, Neale, Ballinrobe, Hollymount.

Route map

(bus stop positions are approximate)

Galway / Dublin Airport bus service changes - August 2022

2022-08-01T00:34:00.001+01:00

GoBus have announced an extra service on their Galway to Dublin Airport Direct route, from Monday 15 August 2022. This will run:

From Galway at 9am
From Dublin Airport at 2:45pm

Citylink have announced extra an extra service on their Galway to Dublin city / airport route, from Monday 8 August 2022. This will run:

From Galway at 10:30am, direct to Dublin Airport (eirEagle service)
From Dublin city at 5:45pm

GoBus have announced an extra service on their Galway to Dublin city / airport route, from Monday 1 August 2022. This will run:

From Galway at 8am - direct to Dublin Airport
From Dublin Airport at 11:45am, stopping in Dublin City (Burgh Quay) at 12:15pm

2022 Galway Races bus and train services

2022-07-21T18:27:00.013+01:00

The information below is for 2022.

See Galway Races bus and train information for this year's services.

Public transport and traffic-management plans for the Galway Races Summer Meeting between Monday 25 - Sunday 31 July 2022.

Summary

Bus Éireann special races shuttle buses will run from Eyre Square.

Private bus companies are running special services from various towns and villages. Some hotels are also organising shuttle services.

The route 409 - Parkmore and route 401 - Salthill to Ballybrit / Parkmore Industrial city buses go to the racecourse (Avenue entrance). But there are restrictions during peak racing traffic hours Mon - Fri.

There are some changes to regular regional buses during race week and the next week.

Race days and times

Monday 29 July - Opening Day:
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:10pm, 7 races, last race at 8:20pm

Tuesday 30 July - Throwback Tuesdays, 80's Night
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:10pm, 7 races, last race at 8:20pm

Wednesday 31 July - The Tote Galway Plate Day & Country Music Extravaganza:
Gates open at 2:30pm, first race at 5:10pm, 7 races, last race at 8:20pm

Thursday 1 August - The Guinness Galway Hurdle & Stylish Ladies Day:
Gates open at 11:15am, first race at 2:10pm, 8 races, last race at 6:10pm

Friday 2 August - Friday's Most Stylish:
Gates open at 2:15pm, first race at 5pm, races, last race at 8:40pm

Saturday 3 August - The Weekender:
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 2pm, 8 races, last race at 5:55pm

Sunday 4 August - Mad Hatter's Family Fun Day:
Gates open at 11:30am, first race at 2pm, 8 races, last race at 5:40pm

Special Shuttle Bus Services to Ballybrit Racecourse

From Eyre Square (Galway city centre)

Bus Éireann are running the races-special service between Galway city centre and the Galway Racecourse.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

Shuttle buses to the racecourse will run from 3pm until 7pm, leaving Eyre Square as required.
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, with the last bus leaving Ballybrit at 10:30pm.

Thursday and Saturday

Shuttle buses to the racecourse will run from 11am, leaving Eyre Square as required.
The return services will run from before the 2nd-to-last race, with the last bus leaving Ballybrit at 9pm

Sunday

Shuttle buses are advertised as leaving Eyre Square "as required" from 11am.
However in previous years, the special buses have not run on Sunday, and passengers are directed to the regular 401-Ballybrit or 409 bus.
Extra buses are usually put on route 409 to meet demand later in the afternoon.

Fares

Adult: €6 single and €10 return.
Children: €3 single and €5 return.
Booking is not possible. Buy your ticket when you catch the bus.
Leap cards, Free Travel Pass, TaxSaver tickets and debit-card are not accepted on the Galway Races shuttle buses - pay in cash only, and ideally have the correct change

Route

Shuttle buses leave from the west side of Eyre Square, outside the Skeffington Arms Hotel (map). Drop off is through the tunnel entrance, within 50 yards of the course-entry.

These shuttle buses do not pick-up or drop-off along the way. See "Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit" below for information about services which do.

From Oranmore

Local businesses have coordinated a bus-service:

Updates will be announced on their Facebook page.
The bus stop is in the village, outside the Olde Brewery pub.
The first bus will leave the village at
3:40pm on Mon, Tues and Wed
12:30pm on Thurs, Sat and Sun
3:30pm on Fri
Buses will operate a shuttle service: once one bus is full, it will leave and the next one will pull in to load.
Return buses will start just after the last race each day.
Tickets are available on the bus only. They cost €13 for return bus transfer and a complimentary drink one of the supporting pubs.

From Athenry

In previous years, buses ran from/ to the Raheen Woods hotel - services for this year have not yet been announced.

Regular Farrells of Athenry services to Galway city are likely to be running - they drop off in Eyre Square at the same place where the regular 401 and 409 services leave from, across the Square from the races-shuttle bus stop.

From Claregalway

There are three options for travelling to the races from Claregalway:

Paul Nash Travel is running a daily shuttle service from the village. For more information, call Paul on 087 81 61 400 or email info@paulnashtravel.com

Bus4U special bus from Roscommon also pick up in Claregalway (see below for details).

Regular public transport services from to and from Galway City (see the Claregalway Neighbourhood Map for details) connect with both city and races shuttle buses.

From Loughrea

Lough Rea Hotel are offering a bus package on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only.

This is open to the public and hotel guests. It must be booked in advance. Phone or email them for details: (091) 88 00 88 or email info@loughreahotelandspa.com

Also, CityLink are running a 1am bus from Galway to Loughrea for each day in the week.

This is timetabled to take 35 minutes (ie standard journey time for their multi-stop service), so is likely to stop at Oranmore and Craughwell.

This is starting on Monday 25 July so the first bus will actually run at 1am on Monday, some hours before the actual race meeting starts, and the last bus is at 1am on Sunday 31 July, ie this bus will not run after the last day of races on Sunday. (This sounds odd - but it is what their ticket-system is currently offering.)

From Roscommon

Bus4U will run one dedicated races bus from Roscommon each day, picking up in Athleague, Mt Talbot, Ballygar, Newbridge, Mountbellew, Moylough, Abbeyknockmoy, Turloughmore, Lackagh and Claregalway. Departure times from Roscommon is at

Monday: 2:35pm
Tuesday: 2:35pm
Wednesday: 2:35pm
Thursday: 11:35am
Friday: 2:25pm
Saturday: 11:25am
Sunday: 11:25am

and returning one hour after the last race.

Fares:

Roscommom / Athleague / Mt Tabbot - €20 (return) / €15 (single)
Ballybar and closer - €15 (return) / €10 (single)

Enquires: phone them on 086 043-0753

From Tuam

Burkes servies from Tuam and Dunmore travel into Galway along the Tuam Road. They have a regular bus-stop at the racecourse entrance at Two Mile Ditch, beside Kenny Motors and McMahons. See North Galway regional bus services for links to their pages.

From other towns

Regular Galway city services to Ballybrit

The Avenue (back) entrance to the racecourse (number (5) on the Parkmore area map) is served by these buses, which pick up from all stops along their route:

Route 401 - through from Salthill to Eyre Square, and then travels along College Rd, through Wellpark, Mervue, Castlepark and Ballybrit, then on to Parkmore
Route 409 - from Eyre Square, travels along the College and Dublin and Doughiska Roads.

These routes will end at the Briarhill Shopping Centre Junction between

3pm to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
11.30am to 3:30pm on Thursday
4pm to 6pm on Friday.

The last bus-stop during these times is at the top of Doughiska Rd (route 409) or Clayton Hotel (route 401) - see the Doughiska neighbourhood map for locations.

Passengers going to/from the racecourse, Parkmore West Industrial Estate, Parkmore East Business and Technology Park, Galway Technology Park, Racecourse Business Park or Briarhill Business Park will need to walk for approx 15-20 minutes from this last stop.

Also routes 401 and 409 will not use the stops nearest to the Avenue entrance after the race meeting ends each day. Instead, passengers will get off / on the bus at the Parkmore roundabout stop (200 m north of the Avenue). Affected times:

Monday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Tuesday 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday 7-9pm
Thursday 7-10pm
Friday 8-10pm
Saturday 5:30 - 7pm

Note: These times are based on the overall road closure times in the area, and may be extended if there are traffic management problems in the area.

On these buses, he usual city bus fares apply, and Leap cards, Travel Pass and TaxSaver tickets can be used.

Changes to regional bus services

Farrells of Athenry have not yet made an announcement. But in previous years:

The Nitelink service between Athenry and Galway ran from Wednesday until Sunday inclusive.

The 5:10pm Galway to Athenry service did not run from Mon-Sat.

Burkes Buses have not yet made an announcement.

But in previous years the cancelled these services for Race Week and the following week:

7am from Dunmore to Galway
7:20am from Tuam to Galway
4pm from Galway to Headford
4:45pm from Headford to Galway
5:10pm will operate from Galway to Tuam only, not to Dunmore

All other Galway regional bus services are expected to operate normally during Race Week - though may suffer some delays due to traffic volumes.

Trains

Irish Rail are running at leave one extra train to/from Galway on each day during Race Week - with several extra trains on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. See their announcement for details.

Note that there is limited capacity, and booking on-line in advance is strong recommended, for both these trains and for regular services.

Traffic Management Plan for the Galway Races 2022

The full traffic-management plan for 2022 has not yet been published.

However the 2017 plan and map are still available for download from Galway Races website and it is likely that a very similar plan applies in 2022. Key points of this plan included:

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore south) can travel via Carnmore Cross and use the Blue Route - Avenue entrance - garda will control crossing right turn at Briarhill junction.
There is no access to the Avenue entrance from the N6 Eastbound (Dublin road) during the road closed times (listed above, under city bus changes).

Traffic from the south and east (M6 / N6 or Oranmore and south) can travel via the old N6 and Galway clinic to use the Red route Tunnel entrance.
After the Briarhill junction, races traffic use the right lane, and city traffic use the left lane.

Traffic from the north (Tuam) can use the Green route - Hill / Tuam Rd entrance - or turn left at the Parkmore Rd and use the Avenue entrance.

Traffic from the city and west can use either the red entrance (via Bothar na dTtreabh), or the green or blue entrance (via Tuam Rd).

Taxis have a special lane through the Green entrance

Temporary fare cuts on some bus and train services

2022-04-11T01:49:00.003+01:00

In February 2022, the Irish government announced a 20% price cut - on average - on public transport services which they pay a subsidy for.

In early April 2022, Transport for Ireland announced the next steps in applying this, and local publicity says that these will be effective from Monday 11 April.

Fares for Bus Éireann, LocalLink and online-purchased InterCity train tickets will be reduced by 20%.

This means that in Galway city, the:

Adult single fare will be €1.35 (reduced from €1.68),
Child fare will be €0.65 (reduced from €0.80)

for passengers who pay using a TFI Leap Card.

Other fares, eg weekly and monthly tickets are likely to decrease also, but this has not been covered in the publicity.

What buses are not included in the April 2022 fare cuts

The fare-reductions scheme only applies to Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services, including those provided by Irish Rail / Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann. These services receive a government subsidy under the PSO scheme.

The change probably does not apply to cash fares (to be confirmed).
Subsidised buses, or ones that are subsidised outside of the PSO programme eg Burkes, CityLink, CityDirect, Expressway, are not included, so their fares will not necessarily change.

What does D mean on bus timetables in Ireland?

2022-04-11T01:05:00.003+01:00

Some Irish bus timetables, and especially Bus Éireann timetables, have stops that are labelled "D".

For example, the current Route 51 Galway - Cork regional bus timetable has the stop at Shannon Airport departures gate marked "D" on all services, while the Arrivals Gate times are marked P.

This means that the stop is "drop-off only", that is, people can get off the bus here, but cannot get on.

Usually this is because there is another nearby stop which makes more sense for people to get on the bus at. In the example above, this is the Shannon Airport Arrivals Gate, which is "pick-up only". Or there may be another local bus for people travelling from this bus-stop to the next one, and it is best that regional buses are not slowed down by loading and unloading short-journey passengers.

Usually, the bus driver will not provide any chance for passengers to get on at these stops: they will only stop if someone wants to get off, and they may pull up slightly in front of or behind the stop. Often they may only open the doors just long enough for people who want to get off the bus.

Return to the Regional Buses FAQ page

What does P mean on Bus Eireann timetables

2022-04-11T00:46:00.004+01:00

Some Bus Éireann timetables have certain stops marked with a "P".

For example, the current Route 51 Galway - Cork regional bus timetable has a stop at GMIT / ATU on the Dublin Road, which is labelled "P" on all services.

This means that the stop is "pick-up only", that is, people can get on the bus here, but cannot(*) get off.

Usually this "pick-up only" rule is used because there is another local bus which makes more sense for people travelling from the previous bus-stop to this one, and it is best that regional buses are not slowed down by loading and unloading short-journey passengers who have other options.

In the example above, there are several Galway city buses (routes 409, 402, and 410) which are good for travelling between the city centre and GMIT/ATU in the Dublin Road.

(*) It is unlikely that the bus driver will stop you, if you really want to get off the bus at one of these tops, for example if you feel sick or have found out that you should not continue with your journey. But they will not sell you a ticket which is "to" one of these stops, and the coach will only stop at them if there is someone who is waiting to get on.

What does D mean on Irish bus timetables?

Return to the Regional Buses FAQ page

More buses between Galway and Limerick / Cork

2022-04-06T22:32:00.004+01:00

Citylink have announced that they are offering three more coaches in each direction on their Galway - Limerick - Cork - Cork Airport service, effective from Friday 8 April 2022.

This is a 7-days per week service. The new buses will leave from:

Galway at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 4:30pm
Cork Airport at 12:30pm, 3:30pm and 7:45pm

From the same day, all Citylink Galway / Cork services will not stop at Raheen in Limerick. The only stop in Limerick will be in Henry Street, near the Garda Station.

Citylink bus stop, Raheen, Limerick - cancelled from April 2022

Bus and Train services in Galway for St Patricks's Day weekend 2022.

2022-03-17T02:15:00.010+00:00

Thursday 17th March 2022, St Patrick's Day / Lá Féile Pádraic and Friday 18 March are public holidays in Ireland.

Most public transport services will run a Sunday timetable on both days.

On Thursday, many services will have different routes or stops during the day, due to St Patrick's Day parades and events.

Galway City Bus services

Bus Éireann have said that they will run a Sunday timetable on 17 and 18 March 2022 - noting that some buses will be diverted in the Eyre Square area during the parade time (roughly 11am - 2pm).

City Direct have announced that:

On Thursday 17 March, the 411 bus will operate. The first 411 service will leave Cappagh Road at 10:15am and one will run every 15 minutes after that. Also, that buses will run to/ from the cathedral during the parade road closures (roughly until 1pm).
On Friday 18 Aarch, a Sunday timetable will run

See City Bus Services for route maps and timetable links.

Regional Bus services

Bus Éireann

Bus Eireann have announced that they will run a Sunday timetable on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 March. Their website also gives details of local parade diversions in many towns and villages throughout the county.

Bus Feda (Donegal)

Have announced that they will run a normal Thursday timetable on the 17the, and a Friday timetable on the 18th.

Burkes (Tuam and Headford)

Have announced they will run a Sunday timetable on 17 and 18 March - but Tuam pickups on Thursday 17th from Corrib Oil instead of the cathedral.

Bus4U (Roscommon)

Have announced that they will run a Sunday timetable, with 2 buses per day between Galway and Roscommon.

Bus Feda (Sligo, Donegal)

Will run a reduced Sunday timetable on both 17 and 18 March. See their website for details

Farrels of Athenry

Have announced that they will run:

Regular Sunday services to/from Athenry om Tuesday 16th,
The Athenry NightLink service on both 17 and 18 March.

CityLink (Dublin, Cork, Clifden)

Citylink have not made any announcements: most likely they will run a regular service on Tuesday 17th.

GoBus (Dublin)

GoBus have not made any announcements: most likely they will run a regular service on Tuesday 17th.

Other companies

Have not made specific announcements: it is likely that they will run regular Sunday-timetable services on 17 March. See Regional Bus Services for a full listing of all companies involved.

Train services

Irish Rail have not yet made an announcement, but will probalby run a regular Sunday timetable with some alterations on Tuesdy 17th March.

Extra morning buses from Loughrea to Galway - Jan 2022

2022-01-25T02:06:00.003+00:00

Citylink have announced that their two Monday to Friday two early morning Ballinasloe to Galway buses will stop in Loughrea, from Monday, January 24 2022.

Coaches leave from Beattys Jewellers in Loughrea at:

7:25am
8:10am

Travel time from Loughrea to Galway is expected to be 45 minutes.

These buses address the early morning service gap which was created when Bus Eireann cancelled the route 20 service.

See East Galway regional bus services for information about other companies operating on this route.

City Direct fare increases

2021-11-29T17:28:00.001+00:00

City Direct Galway have announced that from Wednesday 1 December 2021:

Adult single cash fare is going up from €2.50 to €2.70
Adult single Leap fare is going up from €2.00 to €2.20
Student single Leap fare is going up from €1.70 to €1.90

See Galway City bus fares for full information about Galway city bus prices.