The 2015 Galway Racing Festival kicks off at Ballybrit next week, and Bus Éireann is back with a special shuttle service to and from the racecourse throughout the week long event.
The direct service, which will run from the heart of the city at Eyre Square to Ballybrit Racecourse and back, starts on Monday July 27 and operates through to Sunday August 2.
For the evening race meetings on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, buses will depart from 2.30pm at Eyre Square West to Ballybrit every 15 minutes until 5pm. Buses will depart from the racecourse on demand until 9:30pm.
On Wednesday July 29, Thursday July 30, Saturday August 1, and Sunday August 2, shuttles will depart Eyre Square West from 11am as required, and will return after the second last race, until 8:30pm.
Bus Éireann will bring racegoers even closer to the racecourse as all buses will be routed through the tunnel entrance, dropping customers off within 50 yards of the Ballybrit course.
Adult tickets for the Bus Éireann Special Shuttle Service are priced at €6 single and €9 return. Tickets for children are priced at €3 single and €5 return. No reservations are necessary, just pay on the day.
Customers should be aware that all city services will operate as normal during the Racing festival, with the exception of Route 403 and Route 409, which will terminate at Briarhill Junction on the following dates and times:
Between 3pm and 5pm on July 27 and 28; between 12.30pm and 4pm on July 29; between 11.30am and 3.30pm on July 30; between 4pm and 6pm on July 31.
On August 1 and 2, the 5.45pm express Galway to Castlerea (Route 429 ) will be deferred to 6pm. The 4.25pm Galway to Longford service (Route 425 ) will be deferred to depart at 5.15pm.
Bus Éireann regional manager west, Brian Connolly, said: “The Galway Races is Ireland’s biggest and most famous racing festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of customers from all over Ireland and abroad.
“We are always delighted to play our part in helping race-goers experience the fun and excitement by offering a frequent shuttle service for the festival. Customers can sit back, relax, enjoy the journey, and forget about the hassle, stress, and cost of car parking,”
