Significant changes have been proposed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to bus routes in North Clare. A survey is being conducted locally by Kilfenora Development Community Group about bus provision, and answers to the questions below are requested by Monday 3 February in order to make representations to the NTA. The main changes – see the map below – are:
- removing the direct link between Corofin/Kilfenora to Ennistytmon, Lahinch, Miltown Malbay and beyond – the current 4 times daily bus 333 would now run directly from Ennis to Ennistymon duplicating the 350 service;
- instead a new route (338) would run from Ennis to Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna, and then terminate at Ennistymon – no details of frequency have been communicated;
- the 350 bus would now proceed more directly from Galway to the Cliffs of Moher via Corkscrew Hill, cutting out Fanore. A new 350C bus would now service Fanore and Newquay. (Fanore community rejected the NTA proposal fiercely at a recent public meeting; Cllr Joe Garrihy on Clare FM echoed community criticism of the NTA for not consulting locally. )
At the same time Clare County Council have issued an e-tender proposal for a shuttle bus to connect the Cliffs of Moher to Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna, with a possible additional link to Kilfenora and Miltown. However this would only run from June to August, and an entry ticket to the Visitor Centre must be bought.
This contrasts with comprehensive proposals for North Clare connectivity submitted by community representatives in September to a Council working party that would have left the 333 service as it is; connected Kilfenora to Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and the Cliffs on a year-round basis; provided a connection between the visitor centres at Kilfenora and Corofin via the National Park at Mullaghmore, to satisfy100s of walkers that come to the Burren Centre weekly expecting that service; and connected Ballyvaughan, Ailwee, Caherconnell & Poulnabrone to the bus stop at Lemenagh. Services would be more frequent in season, obviously. Users should be able to plan journeys easily using a phone app. There should be far more publicity to encourage greater use of improved public transport services, including marketing to tourists by Fáilte Ireland.
The aim was to provide both local and visitor users with a car/coach-free public transport service, reducing the traffic problems created by current policies and practices, serving environmental goals and making North Clare a more attractive place to visit and live in. (Minister Ryan similarly urged this in April 2024 on a visit to Clare.) The NTA describes the changes as enhancements and part of the “Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan”. You can judge whether what is proposed is actually an enhancement for local communities.
If you wish to submit views, please send an email to [email protected] by Monday 3 February responding to these questions. (Just copy and paste the questions into a document.)
Q1 Should the current 333 service be retained – ie connecting Corofin/Kilfenora directly to Ennistymon and beyond? (Yes/no and comment if desired)
Q2 Should a shuttle connect Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Cliffs of Moher as an all-year service not just 3 months (obviously frequency would vary seasonally)? (Yes/no, comment)
Q3 Should the National Parks bus run from Kilfenora to Corofin via Mullaghmore, not just from Corofin? (Yes/no, comment)
Q4 Should a seasonal shuttle link Ballyvaughan to the Q3 route and the 333 service to Ennis via Ailwee/Caherconnell/Poulnabrone and Lemenagh (Yes/no, comment)
Q5 Should the NTA. TFI, Failte Ireland and local Councils work together to facilitate and promote more public transport usage that connects rural and visitor locations and enables more car-free travel? (Yes/no, comment)
