April - GB Bus Group

Bus Spotting Locations
Dublin (Jeff Hall)
On March 26 th 2006 the wife and I ventured over to Dublin for a four day break. As with Edinburgh we
managed to secure a Hotel room overlooking a bus route – in this case Parnell Square. For those interested
the Hotel’s name was Jury’s Inn.
The principal operator in Dublin is Dublin Bus (Bus Atha Cliath) who seemed to operate all the city routes
with Bus Eireann operating services in and out of Dublin. Air Coach operate a frequent Cork to Dublin
Airport service.
The principal operating areas for buses on the north side of Dublin are –
Parnell Square – the buses operate in a clockwise direction around the square, with those coming into the
city stopping in Parnell Square East whilst those going out in Parnell Square West. Vehicles will also lay
over in Parnell Square West.
O’Connell Street is a two way street being divided by a central walkway. Buses travelling to and from
Parnell Square will travel along O’Connell Street crossing O’Connell Bridge to the South side of Dubin. A
good spot to view the buses is the junction between O’Connell Street and Abbey Street, as this is both where
Dublin Trams cross O’Connell Street and where Bus Eireann vehicles leave the street for Connolly Bus
Station.
Central Bus Station can be found close to Connolly Railway Station with the tram line running past it and
terminating at Connolly Railway Station. Follow the tram line east from O’Connell Street and you will reach
the Bus Station. The principal operator in the Bus Station is Bus Eireann with Dublin Bus operating services
past it .
On the south side of the city we have
Wellington and Aston Quay which are adjacent to the River Liffey provide the principal route out the city
for Bus Eireann. The route in to the Central Bus Station, for those vehicles not travelling along O’Connell
Street, is on the opposite side of the River.
St Stephen’s Green reputedly the largest Green in Europe, serves a shopping centre and a Dublin Tram
terminus. A lot of these services only serve the south side of the city so will not travel along O’Connell
Street.
College Green / Burgh Quay, situated on the southeast side of O’Connell Bridge, are close to Tara Street
and Pearse Street Railway Stations and once again principally serve routes on the south side of the city.
Airport Services are provided by Dublin Bus as Circular Express Services. The 747 operates to the Central
Bus Station via O’Connell Street returning by the same route, whilst the 748 runs to the Central Bus Station
via the North Star Hotel then crosses the River Liffey runs west to Heuston Station then back along the north
side of the River Liffey to the Bus Station and on to the Airport.
City Sightseeing is provided by Dublin Bus, Dualway and Guide Friday all operating open top double
deckers.
Like most cities Dublin also attracts many Tour Operators most of which seem to travel along O’Connell
Street taking in the Landmarks.
All in all it was a very enjoyable visit and we shall certainly be returning for more of the same. Next month I
will publish a log of the vehicles observed and in the meantime will be posting photographs to our web site at
www.gb-bg.co.uk.
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