We are flying into Shannon in May, and our destination is Glengarriff. We don't want to rent a car, so how can we get there? Our thoughts are: Plan A - direct transportation, no stops. Plan B something that allows for a tour type of deal on the way? There are 7 of us. Your ideas/suggestions are very much appreciated.

I'm pretty sure you can get from Shannon to Glengarriff by bus, but the Journey Planner on the Buseireann site isn't working properly at the moment. You can check for yourself at www.buseireann.ie.

The Bus Eireann Journey Planner is working again. You can leave Shannon at 09:50, change in Cork, and arrive in Glengarriff at 16:20. Or you can leave at 14:20, change in Cork, and arrive at 20:40.

My Lonely PLanet Ireland guidebook says that Bus Eireann has service between Killarney and Glengarriff, but the Journey Planner only shows a route through Cork. Perhaps there is direct service during the tourist season. If that's true, then you could go Shannon-Killarney-Glengarriff, taking either the bus all the way or the train from Limerick to Killarney, whichever best fit your schedule.

Bus Eireann will basically be running winter schedules in May, so schedules will be the same as they are in November. The bus from Shannon to Cork will go via Limerick. There are also trains from Limerick to Cork though you normally have to change at Limerick Junction which is a station in the middle of nowhere (and not near Limerick). For train times, see www.irishrail.ie. Once you have worked out a route, you should think about stops for meals. You might, for example, go to Cork, then have a break for a walk around and lunch before getting a bus to Glengarriff.

I like GeoffHamer's idea of taking the train from Limerick to Cork. Trains run more frequently than buses on that route so you would have more choices for getting from Shannon to Cork and then taking the bus to Glengarriff.

Bus and rail transport in Ireland is very expensive, if there are 7 of you it would be cheaper to get a mini bus taxi to take u to Glengarriff if not try this,
Take a bus fron Shannon to Limerick, change get bus to Killarney then Kenmare and arrange pickup with local mini bus driver in Glengarriff only 30 mins away i have contacts for transport and Accommadation if u need it;.

Regards Paul in Glengarriff