By Bus in The West

Bus Éireann runs several expressway buses into the region from Dublin, Cork City, and Limerick City to Ennis, Galway City, Westport, and Ballina, the principal depots in the region. Expect bus rides to last about one hour longer than the time it would take you to travel the distance by car. In July and August, the provincial bus service is augmented by daily services to most resort towns. Outside these months, many coastal towns receive only one or two buses per week. Bus routes are often slow and circuitous, and service can be erratic. A copy of the Bus Éireann timetable (EUR 6 from any station) is essential. Citylink operates frequent buses, with up to 17 departures daily, between Galway City and Dublin and Dublin Airport. The trip costs EUR 19 one way. Citylink also makes five daily trips in each direction between Shannon Airport and Galway City, costing EUR 16 one way.

Bus Depots

Ballina Station (096/71800). Ennis Station (065/682-4177). Galway City Station (Ceannt Station. 091/562-000). Westport Station (098/25711).

Bus Lines

Bus Éireann (01/836-6111 in Dublin; 061/313-333 in Limerick; 021/508-188 in Cork. www.buseireann.ie). Citylink (Unit 1, Forster Ct., Galway City. 091/564-163. www.citylink.ie).