On Trains & Buses

Introduction

The festive period brings public transport changes across Ireland’s other operators, complementing the arrangements already outlined for Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail. This guide covers how Go-Ahead Ireland, Luas, City Direct, JJ Kavanagh, Aircoach, Matthews Coach Hire, Wexford Bus and Dublin Coach will operate through Christmas and New Year, helping passengers navigate the varied approaches across these networks.

Go-Ahead Ireland Network-Wide Changes

Go-Ahead Ireland, which operates over 60 routes across the Greater Dublin Area, Kildare and Wicklow under contract to the National Transport Authority, follows a pattern similar to other Dublin operators. On Christmas Eve, services run until 21:00 across the network. Christmas Day sees a complete suspension of all routes, a standard pause mirrored across Irish public transport. St Stephen’s Day brings a return to service from 09:00, but on a Sunday timetable, meaning reduced frequencies and later starts than weekday schedules.

From 27^th to 30^th December, normal timetables resume, providing four days of regular service before the year’s end. New Year’s Eve operates as a normal day with services running until the standard early finish. New Year’s Day returns to the Sunday timetable once more, before everything settles back to the regular pattern on 2^nd January. Further details are available on the Go-Ahead Ireland website.

Luas

Dublin’s Luas tram network operates an extensive festive schedule including special late-night services in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. The service shows clear differentiation between the two lines and includes valuable late-night operations for those celebrating.

Night Luas Services: Special late-night services operate on Friday 12^th, Saturday 13^th, Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th December. On the Red Line, departures from Tallaght run at 01:00 and 02:00, from Saggart at 00:30 and 01:30, and from The Point at 01:00, 02:00 and 03:00. On the Green Line, departures from Brides Glen operate at 00:20, 00:50, 01:20, 01:50, 02:20 and 02:50, whilst from Broombridge services run at 00:36, 01:06, 01:36, 02:06, 02:36 and 03:06.

Christmas Eve (24^th December): Services operate from 05:30 to 20:00 on all routes except Saggart, which runs 05:42 to 19:52. This represents a significantly earlier finish than normal, allowing staff to reach home for the evening.

Christmas Day (25^th December): No services operate on any Luas line.

St Stephen’s Day (26^th December): Services resume at 09:00 across the network, running until 23:00 from Tallaght and Brides Glen, 22:53 from Saggart, 23:30 from The Point, and 23:17 from Broombridge. Note that Connolly Luas Stop is closed on this date.

27^th, 29^th and 30^th December: Extended hours operate with services running from 06:30 until midnight from Tallaght (last from Saggart at 23:49), 00:30 from The Point, midnight from Brides Glen, and 00:17 from Broombridge.

28^th December (Sunday): Sunday timetable operates with services running 07:00 to 23:00 from Tallaght and Brides Glen, 07:12 to 22:51 from Saggart, 07:00 to 23:30 from The Point, and 07:00 to 23:17 from Broombridge.

New Year’s Eve (31^st December): Extensive late-night services mirror the pre-Christmas pattern. Services begin at 06:30 and run until 02:00 from Tallaght (01:30 from Saggart), with services from The Point continuing until 03:00 (last departure 02:30), from Brides Glen until 02:50, and from Broombridge until 03:06. This represents one of the most comprehensive late-night public transport offerings for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dublin.

New Year’s Day (1^st January): Services operate on a Sunday/Bank Holiday timetable, running from 07:00 to 23:00 from Tallaght and Brides Glen, 07:12 to 22:51 from Saggart, 07:00 to 23:30 from The Point, and 07:00 to 23:17 from Broombridge.

Normal services resume from Friday 2^nd January. Passengers should note that Connolly Luas Stop is closed on both Christmas Eve (24^th) and St Stephen’s Day (26^th December). Full timetables and service updates are available at luas.ie.

JJ Kavanagh

JJ Kavanagh operates a diverse network across the southeast and midlands, with different service types following distinct festive arrangements. The company differentiates clearly between its main intercity routes, local services and specialised Local Links connections.

Main and Airport Routes

JJ Kavanagh’s approach to its main intercity and airport services differs markedly from urban operators. Routes 717 (Clonmel - Kilkenny - Dublin), 735 (Limerick - Nenagh - Dublin) and 736 (Waterford - Carlow - Dublin) pause only on Christmas Day itself. St Stephen’s Day sees full resumption of normal service, and crucially, these routes maintain normal operation throughout the New Year period without the Sunday timetable reductions seen elsewhere. This continuity makes them particularly valuable for airport access and intercity travel during the festive season.

Local Routes

The local routes operated by JJ Kavanagh follow a different rhythm. Routes 874 (Hacketstown - Carlow) and 871 (Urlingford - Kilkenny) finish earlier in the festive period, with final services running on Tuesday 23^rd December. Services resume on Monday 29^th December, providing a link through the post-Christmas period, but pause again on New Year’s Day before full resumption on Monday 5^th January.

Waterford City Services

Waterford’s city services, comprising routes 607, 617 and 627, operate with carefully timed finishes on Christmas Eve. The last service from Clock Tower to Dunmore Road departs at 18:15, while the previous service to Slieverue leaves the Quays at 17:45. After the Christmas Day pause, services resume fully on Friday 27^th December. As with the local routes, there is no service on New Year’s Day, with operations returning to normal on Friday 2^nd January.

Local Links Routes

JJ Kavanagh’s Local Links services each have distinct arrangements reflecting their varied passenger bases and route characteristics.

Route 139 (Naas - Blanchardstown) finishes at 21:00 on Christmas Eve and does not run on Christmas Day. It resumes from 09:00 on St Stephen’s Day and notably operates normally through both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, making it one of the few services maintaining New Year’s Day operation.

Route 815 (Tullamore - Athlone) runs normally on Christmas Eve but pauses on Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day sees most services resume, except for the 22:00 Tullamore to Athlone and 23:15 Athlone to Tullamore services. The route continues normally throughout the Christmas period, but again omits the late 22:00 and 23:15 services on New Year’s Day.

Route 858 (Portlaoise - Thurles) operates on Christmas Eve except for the 20:25 Portlaoise to Urlingford and 21:30 Urlingford to Portlaoise services. There is no service on either Christmas Day or St Stephen’s Day, with normal operation resuming on Saturday 27^th December. New Year’s Eve follows the Christmas Eve pattern, omitting the same evening services, and there is no service on New Year’s Day.

Route 891 (Fiddown - Kilkenny) runs normally on Christmas Eve, with the last service being the 20:15 - 21:39 to Kilkenny and the 18:45-20:07 to Fiddown. All bank holidays over Christmas, including St Stephen’s Day, operate on the Sunday and public holiday timetable. New Year’s Eve runs to the normal schedule, while New Year’s Day returns to Sunday timings.

Route 817C (Carrick on Suir - Grangemockler) takes a straightforward approach, running every day except Christmas Day. On all other public holidays, the route operates to the Sunday timetable.

Timetables and booking information for all JJ Kavanagh services can be found on the JJ Kavanagh website.

Aircoach

Aircoach, a major airport and intercity operator now part of FirstGroup, takes a notably simple approach to festive scheduling. All Aircoach routes operate every day of the year except Christmas Day. This includes all their main services: the 700 series Dublin Airport routes, 702 (Dublin Airport - Greystones), 704X (Cork - Dublin), 705X (Belfast - Dublin) and 706/706X (Dublin Airport - Maynooth/Celbridge).

The company’s website notes that services finish earlier than usual on Christmas Eve and St Stephen’s Day, with specific details published on their timetables page closer to the dates. This consistent year-round operation, with only the single Christmas Day exception, makes Aircoach particularly reliable for airport connections and intercity travel throughout the festive period. More information is available through Aircoach customer support.

Matthews Coach Hire

Matthews Coach Hire operates daily commuter services from Dundalk, Drogheda and Bettystown to Dublin all year round, with the sole exceptions of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. This makes their M1 corridor services particularly valuable for maintaining connectivity during the festive period when other operators reduce frequencies or pause services.

Based on previous years’ patterns, Christmas Eve sees reduced service with last departures around 20:00 from Dundalk and 21:30 from Dublin, though passengers should verify specific times closer to the date. The company’s straightforward approach of operating every day except the two main holidays provides useful continuity for commuters and those visiting family in the northeast. Full timetable information is available on the Matthews Coach Hire website.

Wexford Bus

Wexford Bus operates an extensive network connecting Wexford, Dublin, Waterford and surrounding areas, with detailed Christmas and New Year arrangements varying by route. The company has published comprehensive festive schedules for 2025/2026.

Route 740 (Wexford - Dublin City & Airport): Christmas Eve sees the last bus departing Wexford at 16:30 and Dublin Airport at 20:30, with Saturday timetable operation before these times. No service operates on Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day brings the first service from Wexford at 07:30 and Dublin Airport at 10:30, with Sunday/public holiday timetable thereafter (excluding the 18:30 ex Wexford and 11:30 ex Dublin Airport). Services operate to Saturday timetables on 29^th and 30^th December. New Year’s Eve mirrors Christmas Eve with last departures at 16:30 from Wexford and 20:30 from Dublin Airport. New Year’s Day follows the St Stephen’s Day pattern.

Route 740X (Wexford Direct - Dublin City & Airport): Christmas Eve sees limited services operating at 08:20 and 10:20 ex Wexford, with no southbound services. Christmas Day has no service. St Stephen’s Day operates limited services at 10:20 ex Wexford and 14:00 ex Dublin. Services run to Saturday timetable on 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December, with Sunday/public holiday timetable on New Year’s Day.

Route 740A (Arklow & Wicklow - Dublin City & Airport): Christmas Eve operates limited services from Gorey at 07:10, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40 and 15:40, with corresponding Dublin Airport departures. No service Christmas Day. Sunday/public holiday timetable operates St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day, with Saturday timetable on 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December.

Route 340 (Wexford - New Ross & Waterford): Christmas Eve sees last departures at 16:30 from Wexford and 18:00 from Waterford (Whitfield Hospital), with certain morning services cancelled. No service Christmas Day. St Stephen’s Day operates limited timetable with departures from Wexford at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30. Services operate to Sunday timetable on 28^th December (with 20:30 ex Wexford and 22:00 ex Waterford cancelled). New Year’s Eve mirrors Christmas Eve, with limited timetable on New Year’s Day.

Route 376 (Wexford - Carlow): Operates to Saturday timetable on Christmas Eve. No services on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day or 28^th December. Saturday timetable resumes 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December. No services New Year’s Day.

Full details for all Wexford Bus routes, including the 884 (Wexford - Gorey), WX1, WX2 and other local services, are available on the Wexford Bus Christmas schedule page.

City Direct

City Direct operates urban bus networks in Kilkenny, Galway and Portlaoise, with festive arrangements following similar patterns across locations but with some local timing variations. All services broadly mirror the Sunday timetable approach used by other urban operators during the holiday period.

Kilkenny City Services

City Direct’s Kilkenny operations mirror the Go-Ahead Ireland pattern seen in Dublin. Christmas Eve brings normal service until approximately 21:00, allowing for the predictable early closure. Christmas Day sees a complete halt across the city’s routes. St Stephen’s Day recovery begins at 09:00 with a Sunday timetable in operation, meaning reduced frequencies compared to normal weekday service.

From 27^th through to 30^th December, normality returns with the full timetable reinstated. New Year’s Eve ends early at around 21:00, echoing the Christmas Eve finish. New Year’s Day operates on the Sunday timetable from 09:00 before the city’s buses resume their usual pattern on 2^nd January.

Galway Urban Routes

Galway’s core City Direct routes (410, 411 and 412), which link Eyre Square with western suburbs including Knocknacarra, Cappagh Road and the Western Distributor Road, follow similar arrangements with slight timing variations. Christmas Eve sees normal service across all three routes, but everything winds up by approximately 21:15 from Eyre Square. Those travelling from the city centre for festive gatherings need to be mindful of these last departures.

Christmas Day brings a complete pause. St Stephen’s Day sees the familiar Sunday schedule cover all three city routes, providing core service levels without normal weekday frequency. From 27^th through to 30^th December, these busy arteries reclaim their standard operation. On New Year’s Eve, buses operate through the day but all finish with a last departure from Eyre Square at 21:15, echoing the Christmas Eve pattern. New Year’s Day brings a Sunday timetable once more, before all systems reset to normal on 2^nd January.

Portlaoise Routes PL1 and PL2

Routes PL1 and PL2 feature detailed timings with notable variations. On Christmas Eve, PL1 operates a full service up to 21:00, while PL2’s last bus leaves at 20:50, a small but potentially crucial difference for late evening users. Both routes pause on Christmas Day.

St Stephen’s Day features a Sunday timetable with staggered starts: PL1 commences from 09:00, while PL2 starts slightly earlier at 08:50. From 27^th to 30^th December, everything operates as per the normal timetable. New Year’s Eve repeats the Christmas Eve pattern, with early finishes of 21:00 for PL1 and 20:50 for PL2. On New Year’s Day, the Sunday timetable returns with the same staggered initial departures. Regular timetables resume for all services on 2^nd January.

Current information for all City Direct services can be found on the City Direct website and through Transport for Ireland.

Analysis and Practical Implications

The variation across these operators reveals different operational philosophies and service priorities. Luas stands out with its comprehensive late-night services on key dates, providing valuable connectivity for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations with services running until the early hours. This commitment to late-night operation contrasts sharply with most bus operators’ early finishes.

Aircoach’s decision to operate every day except Christmas Day represents the most consistent festive service among bus operators, reflecting its focus on airport connections where demand remains relatively stable. Matthews Coach Hire follows a similar pattern, pausing only on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, providing valuable continuity for northeast commuters.

JJ Kavanagh’s approach shows clear differentiation between service types: main and airport routes maintain full operation throughout (except Christmas Day), local routes take an extended break from 23^rd December to 29^th December, and Local Links services each follow carefully tailored patterns reflecting their specific communities’ needs. This varied approach recognises that different passengers have different festive travel requirements.

Wexford Bus demonstrates the complexity of managing a regional network with multiple route types, from high-frequency airport services to local town routes. Their detailed, route-specific arrangements balance maintaining connectivity with allowing staff time off during the holidays. The early finishes on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (16:30 from most origins) are notably earlier than many other operators, requiring careful planning from passengers.

Go-Ahead Ireland and City Direct follow the Sunday timetable approach familiar from other Dublin operators. Understanding this distinction becomes crucial for passengers, as Sunday schedules mean fewer buses and often later morning starts. The difference between a 09:00 start on a Sunday timetable and earlier weekday departures could leave passengers waiting longer than anticipated on chilly winter mornings.

The early finishes on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve across City Direct’s networks (21:00 in Kilkenny, 21:15 in Galway) mean those heading out for celebrations need alternative arrangements for return journeys. JJ Kavanagh’s Route 139 stands out as an exception, maintaining New Year’s Day service alongside its New Year’s Eve operation.

Route-specific variations demand careful attention. The few minutes’ difference between PL1 and PL2 start times, the specific evening services omitted on routes 815 and 858, the varied resumption dates across JJ Kavanagh’s local services, and Wexford Bus’s route-by-route arrangements all require checking individual timetables rather than assuming uniform patterns.

Conclusion

These additional operators complement the wider national network covered by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail, but their varied approaches reflect different service types and passenger needs. Luas provides exceptional late-night coverage for festive celebrations, particularly on New Year’s Eve with services running into the early hours. Aircoach and Matthews Coach Hire’s near-continuous operation provides valuable continuity for airport access and commuter corridors. JJ Kavanagh’s maintenance of intercity and airport links provides essential connectivity for longer-distance travellers, while Wexford Bus’s comprehensive network serves the southeast with carefully balanced festive arrangements.

The urban networks of Go-Ahead Ireland and City Direct follow patterns more typical of city transport operations, with Sunday timetables creating noticeable service reductions on key dates. The diversity of arrangements underscores the importance of checking specific operator details rather than assuming all services follow identical festive timetables.

Return to normality comes at different dates depending on service type and operator, with most urban services back to normal by 2^nd January, some local routes taking until 5^th January to fully resume, and certain routes operating altered timetables through early January. As always, the key to smooth festive travel lies in verifying arrangements with individual operators before setting out, recognising that Ireland’s transport network comprises numerous independent operators each tailoring their festive service to their specific circumstances and passenger base.

Bus Éireann has published its Christmas and New Year timetable alterations for 2025–26. While the broad pattern follows previous years, there are several exceptions worth noting, particularly for those relying on early morning departures on St Stephen’s Day or catching last buses on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24^th December 2025

City, town, commuter and rural services have their last departures at approximately 9pm, with any service starting before that time completing its full journey.

Expressway routes vary more substantially in their finishing times. Some routes finish earlier than others:

• Route 4 (Waterford–Dublin Airport): 14:45 from Waterford, 19:15 from Dublin Airport
• Route 13: 15:00 from Tralee to Limerick (the return journey runs until 19:35)

Later finishing routes include:

• Route 2 (Wexford–Dublin Airport): 17:00 from Wexford, 21:00 from Dublin Airport
• Route 30 (Dublin–Donegal): 21:30 from Dublin, 17:30 from Donegal
• Route 100X (Dublin–Dundalk): 20:41 from Dublin, 18:30 from Dundalk

Route 14 requires a connection. The last departure from Limerick to Killarney is at 17:35, with customers needing to connect in Abbeyfeale onto the 18:55 service to complete their journey.

Routes 51, 52, 55 and 64 will operate to their normal weekday schedules on Christmas Eve.

Route 40 maintains services across the southern corridor, with the eastbound route finishing at 19:30 from Waterford to Rosslare and the westbound at 19:30 from Waterford to Cork.

Christmas Day, Thursday 25^th December 2025

No services operate.

St Stephen’s Day, Friday 26^th December 2025

Services resume to a Sunday schedule. Most routes start at 09:00, with several notable exceptions.

Route 30 has its first departure from Donegal at 04:00, the earliest start of any route.

Other early starters include:

• Route 32: 04:30 from Letterkenny
• Route 23: 06:00 from Sligo
• Route 190: 05:20 from Athlone to Drogheda
• Route 270: 06:00 from Skibbereen to Killarney

Route 220 in Cork follows a different pattern. While Cork City services generally follow a Sunday timetable, Route 220 starts after 07:00, with specific early departures including 07:00 from Primary Care Centre to Ovens and 07:10 from Ovens to Primary Care Centre.

Routes serving Dublin from surrounding counties generally start between 06:00 and 08:00. Routes 109B (06:00 from Athboy to Dublin), 109X (06:15 from Dublin to Cavan) and 133 (07:00 from Wicklow to Dublin) are among those offering early options.

Routes 330 and 343 both start at 06:00 serving Shannon Airport. Route 456 from Castlebar to Galway starts at 06:00.

Routes serving Waterford and the southeast have early departures, with Route 355 starting at 07:42 from Clonmel to Waterford and Route 354 at 07:40 from Dunmore East to The Clock Tower.

Carlow town services CW1 and CW2 both start at 08:20.

Saturday 27^th December to Wednesday 31^st December 2025

Services revert to their normal patterns:

• Saturday 27^th December: Saturday timetable
• Sunday 28^th December: Sunday timetable
• Monday 29^th December to Wednesday 31 December: Weekday schedules

New Year’s Day, Thursday 1^st January 2026

Services operate to a Sunday schedule.

Friday 2^th January 2026

Normal weekday services resume.

Summary

The festive timetable provides reduced but workable service levels. Early morning coverage on St Stephen’s Day is maintained across most routes, with Christmas Eve services finishing at 9pm for local services and varying times for Expressway routes.

As the end of the year approaches, preparations for 2025-6 Festive Season see inevitable changes to Dublin’s bus services. Alterations to timetables are nothing new during the festive season, and having clear information helps customers navigate family visits, shopping or late-night events. Efforts are being made to maintain as much service as feasible, balancing demand, staff availability and public expectation. What follows is a full summary of the bus arrangements for Dublin and surrounding areas in December 2025 and the early days of the new year, offering a sense of what will operate, when and where there will be deviations from the norm.

Quick Reference: Key Dates

• Christmas Eve (24^th December): Saturday service with additional early morning departures, last buses approximately 21:00, no Nitelink
• Christmas Day (25^th December): No service
• St Stephen’s Day (26^th December): Sunday service, no Nitelink
• 27^th-28^th December: Saturday and Sunday services respectively, no Nitelink
• 29^th-31^st December: Saturday services, full Nitelink available
• New Year’s Day (1^st January 2026): Sunday service, no Nitelink
• 2^nd January: Normal weekday services resume

Early December (11^th-13^th December)

Thursday 11^th and Friday 12^th December see the city’s routes running to regular weekday patterns, with the full Nitelink service present for those needing late connections, supplementing the network of existing 24-hour routes. Saturday 13^th December adopts the familiar Saturday pattern, again matched with Nitelink, reinforcing the sense that planners want to ensure mobility remains straightforward for most people through the heart of December.

Mid-December (18^th-21^st December)

The following Thursday and Friday, 18^th and 19^th December, continue with regular weekday services and full Nitelink operation. Saturday 20^th December maintains the standard Saturday timetable with Nitelink available.

On 21^st December, the first of the changes surfaces, with Sunday services across all routes accompanied by full Nitelink. Of note is the suspension of City Tours and Ghostbus Tours, so those hoping for some festive sightseeing or a different entertainment may have to wait.

The Critical Week (22^nd-28^th December)

22^nd-23^rd December

The same holds across the following two weekdays, 22^nd and 23^rd December, with the usual weekday service operating while the City Tours and Ghostbus Tours both remain on hiatus. Nitelink does not operate on these dates.

Christmas Eve (24^th December)

The heart of Christmas Eve on Wednesday 24^th December looks a little different, reflecting the tradition that most people are headed home or finishing work early. For this day, a Saturday service runs on all routes, though with additional early-morning departures for the busiest routes, ensuring that journeys are possible from the start of the day for those who need to get places before the last-minute dash.

Importantly, last departures are scheduled for around 21:00, a widespread adjustment that makes for a slightly earlier finish than usual. Many routes receive tailored arrangements for these final departures, so it pays to be alert to just when the last bus will run. Nitelink, City Tours and Ghostbus Tours do not operate at all that evening, so any late plans will need alternative transport.

Christmas Day (25^th December)

All Dublin Bus scheduled services take a break. This is customary and has been the case each year, so the advice is to plan well in advance, as no scheduled buses will run on 25 December.

St Stephen’s Day (26^th December)

Boxing Day, or St Stephen’s Day, Friday 26^th December, sees the network back running Sunday timetables across all routes. However, there are further caveats: Nitelink, City Tours and Ghostbus Tours will remain out of operation. The regular 24-hour service, however, continues where in place, ensuring some late-night mobility is sustained for those who need it most.

Weekend Recovery (27^th-28^th December)

Saturday 27 December resumes the usual Saturday timetable, with the reappearance of both City Tours and Ghostbus Tours for those wanting to venture out or sample some attractions. Nitelink does not operate. Sunday 28 December was set aside for the regular Sunday service, again with both the City Tours and Ghostbus Tours scheduled as normal, though Nitelink remains unavailable.

New Year Period (29^th December - 2^nd January)

The week between Christmas and New Year’s brings a slight departure from the everyday pattern. Monday 29^th, Tuesday 30^th and Wednesday 31^st December each adopt a Saturday service across all routes, paired with the full Nitelink offer for late-night demand. These days appear aimed at making it easy for people to travel, shop or visit right through the post-Christmas bustle and New Year’s Eve. Those familiar with recent years may see this as an effort to reduce confusion and avoid overly complex holiday scheduling.

New Year’s Day, Thursday 1^st January 2026, bears its own variations. All routes run on the Sunday schedule, but with Nitelink taking a break for this day, so alternative plans are required for late-night journeys. The 24-hour services continue, sustaining a basic level of provision, while City Tours do return for those looking for something to do on the bank holiday. Ghostbus Tours, on the other hand, remain suspended for the day.

By Friday 2^nd January, the bus network is back to the typical weekday service pattern, marking the proper end to the holiday period.

Christmas Eve: Special Arrangements

Additional Early Morning Departures

Within these headline changes, there are layers of detail for those catching buses at sensitive times or working unsocial hours. Additional early morning departures play a key role, especially on Christmas Eve. Extra buses operate specific early services on several of the larger, busier routes. Timings are exact and intended to align with shift patterns or early-morning demands, with some buses leaving as early as 04:35 and spanning a wide range of corridors, such as from Howth Dart Station, Mountjoy Square, Ballycullen, Charlestown, Dublin Airport, Clarehall, Balbriggan, Blanchardstown and other major gathering points. Access to the city centre is notably prioritised from outlying areas, reflecting the need for staff to reach retail or hospitality work in good time.

Full details of additional early morning departures are available on the Dublin Bus website.

Last Departures

Specific mention is warranted for last departures on Christmas Eve, always a topic of concern for those making critical journeys home or to other gatherings. The overwhelming pattern here is for the final buses on each route to run between 19:30 and 21:00, though some services do see their final departure as early as late afternoon, for example, Skerries to Abbey Street on Route 33 at 17:11.

For most city and suburban routes, the final runs are efficiently spaced to clear demand before a full stop is applied for the evening. City centre corridors such as Abbey Street, Aston Quay, Parnell Square and Hawkins Street feature as hubs for many final buses, suggesting a concerted effort to keep the network interconnected for as long as practical. Some suburban routes finish slightly before 21:00, so anyone depending on public transport in the evening needs to plan ahead with particular care, allowing for earlier departures to avoid disappointment.

Complete information on last departures for all routes is available on the Dublin Bus website.

Specialist Services Throughout the Period

Nitelink

Nitelink, which for many years has helped people get home after late nights out, is only suspended at the most critical points in the season. Across most of the lead-up to Christmas and from 29 December through to New Year’s Eve, Nitelink supplements the 24-hour routes. The key exceptions to this are 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th, 25^th, 26^th, 27^th, 28^th December and 1 January, days when the combination of early finishes, full closures or public holiday schedules renders the late-night runs less essential.

Wherever Nitelink does operate, it is available alongside the regular 24-hour services, adding further capacity for those who need to travel at less usual times.

Nitelink operates:

• 11^th-13^th December
• 18^th-21^st December
• 29^th-31^st December

Nitelink does not operate:

• 22^nd-28^th December
• 1^st January 2026

City Tours and Ghostbus Tours

Throughout the season, the City Tours and Ghostbus Tours, favourites for both locals and visitors, follow an on/off pattern. They do not operate on the last few days before Christmas, nor on 25 and 26 December, but return for the weekend that follows. On New Year’s Day, only the City Tours resume, with the Ghostbus remaining suspended.

City Tours and Ghostbus Tours do not operate:

• 21^st-26^th December

City Tours and Ghostbus Tours resume:

• 27^th December onwards

New Year’s Day exception:

• City Tours operate
• Ghostbus Tours do not operate

24-Hour Routes

The regular 24-hour services (Routes 15, 39a, 41, 80, C1, C2, C5, C6, E1, E2, F1, F2, G1, G2 and N4) operate throughout the Christmas period, including Christmas Day, providing continuous mobility across twelve routes seven days a week.

Conclusion

The emphasis throughout the Christmas period is on balancing festive demand with the operational realities of public transport. Adjustments serve both as a recognition of the city’s core routines and its seasonal differences. By running a patchwork of weekday, Saturday and Sunday schedules interwoven with special early morning departures, Dublin Bus aims to make the season as seamless as possible for its many users, from shift workers to shoppers to families reuniting after a long year.

For precise times and departures, consulting the latest operational updates or real-time information will be essential, as there is scope for slight adjustment closer to the day if warranted.

For more information:

• Dublin Bus Festive Arrangements 2025-2026
• Additional Early Morning Departures
• Last Departures on Christmas Eve
• Transport for Ireland Christmas Services

A recent announcement from Iarnród Éireann describes changes to the national train timetable, taking effect from Sunday, 14th December. Introduced following approval from the National Transport Authority, the revised schedule offers a mix of direct connections, revised timings and the end of autumn-specific operations that had been in place since late September.

At the heart of the December timetable revision is the introduction of direct services running between Mallow and Cobh/Midleton, operating through Cork via the newly established platform six at Kent Station. The platform, which opened officially in April 2025, represents a significant addition to rail infrastructure in the region and enables the through-running services that commence with this timetable change.

For regular commuters and occasional travellers alike, these changes affect travel routines whilst forming part of ongoing investment in rail services.

Direct Services Transform Cork Commuter Routes

The new services see direct departures linking Mallow with Cobh and Midleton at key times across the morning and evening, benefiting anyone travelling across north Cork towards the east and harbour towns.

The most immediate impact lies in the consolidation of services that previously would have required a change in Cork. The 06:50 Mallow to Cork and the 07:15 Cork to Midleton have been combined into one, departing from Mallow at 06:48 and travelling directly to Midleton. This pattern repeats throughout the day, with similar through services at 07:48 and 08:48 heading for Midleton, as well as new direct evening services from Cobh to Mallow.

The morning services combined are:

• 06:50 Mallow to Cork and 07:15 Cork to Midleton become 06:48 Mallow to Midleton
• 07:50 Mallow to Cork and 08:15 Cork to Midleton become 07:48 Mallow to Midleton
• 08:50 Mallow to Cork and 09:15 Cork to Midleton become 08:48 Mallow to Midleton

In the opposite direction, evening departures from Mallow are merged with onward services to Cobh:

• 17:27 Mallow to Cork and 18:00 Cork to Cobh become 17:30 Mallow to Cobh
• 18:25 Mallow to Cork and 19:00 Cork to Cobh become 18:30 Mallow to Cobh
• 19:25 Mallow to Cork and 20:00 Cork to Cobh become 19:30 Mallow to Cobh

Additionally, three new evening services run from Cobh to Mallow at 16:30, 17:30 and 18:30, reducing the need for connections when travelling between these points.

These combined services improve flexibility and cut connection times, whilst supporting modal shift, one of the stated strategic goals for the Irish rail network. By making time savings and removing the need for changes, the system becomes more competitive against private car use.

Timing Adjustments Across the Network

The new timetable also affects routes throughout the country, with changes to departure times reflecting the operational requirements of managing a national rail network.

Dublin–Cork and Dublin–Portlaoise

The Dublin–Cork and Dublin–Portlaoise lines see journey times and intermediate station departure times revised. The earliest Portlaoise–Heuston service now departs a few minutes earlier at 05:30, whilst later services shift marginally.

Key changes include:

• 05:33 Portlaoise to Heuston now departs at 05:30
• 08:12 Portlaoise to Heuston now departs at 08:13
• 09:19 Portlaoise to Heuston now departs at 09:20
• 09:43 Hazelhatch to Heuston now departs at 09:44
• 10:26 Newbridge to Heuston now departs at 10:27
• 12:26 Newbridge to Heuston now departs at 12:25

On Sundays, the morning train departs at 11:30 instead of 11:25, whilst some evening trains at the weekend now depart earlier, with the 16:33 Portlaoise to Heuston now departing at 16:25 and the 18:50 service moving to 18:25.

Dublin–Waterford

Those using the Dublin–Waterford line will notice the 16:10 Friday Heuston departure leaving five minutes earlier at 16:05, and the 13:05 Waterford–Heuston service being nudged back to 13:00. In the evenings, the 20:20 Waterford–Heuston run has seen certain stops between Hazelhatch and Parkwest dropped, meaning a faster journey for longer-distance travellers but affecting those using these intermediate stations.

Limerick Routes

Limerick routes see adjustments including the 08:10 Limerick Junction to Limerick service now departing at 08:11. The Galway–Limerick 18:48 Galway to Ennis service moves to 18:50.

Dublin–Galway

On the Dublin–Galway line, the early morning Tullamore–Galway service now departs at 07:28, whilst in the opposite direction the Athlone–Heuston departs at 05:15.

The 17:20 Galway–Heuston service now skips Kildare and Newbridge, with alternative commuter trains from Portarlington serving these stations. The Sunday 17:00 from Galway calls at both stations.

Dublin–Westport

On the Dublin–Westport line, adjustments include Ballina connecting services at Manulla Junction. Several Athlone–Westport departures move forward by a few minutes:

• 07:08 Athlone to Westport now departs at 07:10
• 09:10 Athlone to Westport now departs at 09:15
• 21:08 Athlone to Westport now departs at 21:09

The evening Westport–Heuston journey now departs at 18:30.

Dublin–Maynooth–Longford

The Dublin–Maynooth–Longford stretch receives adjustments including the earliest Longford to Pearse service now continuing to Grand Canal Dock. The 08:04 Pearse–Maynooth starts from Grand Canal Dock at 07:59.

A new stop at Broombridge has been added to the Connolly–Longford service. The evening Maynooth–Connolly train now departs at 20:15 instead of 20:10.

Return to Pre-Autumn Schedule

For those depending on the DART network, the autumn timetable comes to a close, replaced by the pre-autumn schedule. The autumn timetable, which ran from 22nd September, was introduced to make time allowances for the impact of leaf fall in the DART and commuter area, the first time such a seasonal adjustment had been implemented on Ireland’s rail network.

Autumn leaf fall causes low rail adhesion, with leaves, especially in damp and wet autumnal conditions, creating a greasy layer on the rail that is the equivalent of black ice on roads. The autumn schedule allowed extra margin for slower running conditions and is now being withdrawn.

With the return to the pre-autumn timetable, adjustments have been made to some Greystones-bound runs leaving Bray. Services from Howth to Greystones see their departure from Bray running a minute or two later:

• 11:55 Howth to Greystones departs one minute later from Bray
• 13:55 Howth to Greystones departs two minutes later from Bray
• 15:56 Howth to Greystones departs one minute later from Bray
• 18:25 Malahide to Greystones departs one minute later from Bray
• 21:47 Howth to Greystones departs three minutes later from Bray

Network Development and Context

The changes are intended to smooth operations, reduce delays and ensure smoother connections. They reflect a return to normal running now that autumn and the associated issues of leaf fall are drawing to a close, particularly relevant on DART and commuter lines where track contamination can cause time losses and schedule drift.

Within the ongoing context of investment in rail, including infrastructure upgrades such as the new Kent Station platform, these changes support longer-term reliability and operational flexibility. The altered schedules over the festive season and into the New Year period are already open for booking.

The timetable revision streamlines and interconnects services, reflected in the new direct travel between Mallow and the Cork harbour towns. Previously, passengers would have had to change at Cork, often with waits and the risk of missing onward connections. Now a trip from Cobh to Mallow can be completed directly.

Looking Forward

The rollout of new infrastructure like Kent Station’s platform six forms part of ongoing network development. Improvements such as new through services from Mallow, revised timings at intermediate stops and the withdrawal of the autumn timetable work towards higher reliability in rail travel.

The success of these changes depends on how they bed in, both for operational staff and for users adjusting to new train times. These steps represent ongoing efforts to create a service that is easier to use, more integrated and more consistently dependable.

Iarnród Éireann has announced its festive timetable changes for Christmas and New Year, featuring late night services, revised schedules and complete service suspensions on key dates. Full details are available on the Iarnród Éireann website.

Service Status Overview

Essential Planning Information

Journey planning: All timetable changes are available on the Iarnród Éireann journey planner. Check your specific service before travelling, particularly on 24^th December, 29^th-30^th December and 1^st January when many alterations apply.

Fireworks: For information on New Year’s Eve fireworks displays at Howth and Dún Laoghaire, visit the New Year’s Festival Dublin website.

Late Night DART and Commuter Services

Late night services operate on two occasions during the festive period: the three weekends leading up to Christmas and on New Year’s Eve.

Pre-Christmas weekends (same times apply to all three weekends):

• Thursday 4^th, Friday 5^th and Saturday 6^th December
• Thursday 11^th, Friday 12^th and Saturday 13^th December
• Thursday 18^th, Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th December

New Year’s Eve: See New Year’s Eve section below for specific times.

All late night departure times and routes:

• To Howth: 00:30 and 01:30 from Pearse (all stations)
• To Greystones: 00:35 and 01:35 from Connolly (all stations)
• To Dundalk: 00:40 and 01:40 from Pearse (serving Tara St, Connolly and all stations from Howth Junction including Clongriffin, Portmarnock and Malahide)
• To Maynooth: 00:27 and 02:10 from Pearse (all stations)
• To Kildare: 23:55 and 01:58 from Pearse (all stations to Drumcondra, then all stations from ParkWest)

Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24^th December)

Travel advice: Services finish much earlier than usual. If travelling on InterCity routes, aim to depart before 17:00 to ensure availability. Expect high demand throughout the day.

InterCity: Weekday service with cancellations and alterations on certain routes. Last services depart between 18:00 and 20:30.

DART and Commuter: Saturday timetable with final departures between 19:25 and 21:00.

Phoenix Park Tunnel: Reduced service (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) until approximately 19:45.

Cork Commuter: Saturday service until approximately 20:00 to 21:00.

Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day (25^th and 26^th December)

No train services operating anywhere in the country.

Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th December

Normal weekend services with some InterCity cancellations and alterations.

Monday 29^th and Tuesday 30^th December

InterCity: Revised and reduced services.

DART and Commuter: Saturday timetable (including Cork and Portlaoise Commuter).

Phoenix Park Tunnel: Revised timetable.

New Year’s Eve (Wednesday 31^st December)

InterCity: Weekday service with cancellations and alterations on certain routes.

DART and Commuter: Saturday timetable with additional services to and from Howth and Dún Laoghaire for the 19:00 fireworks displays.

Phoenix Park Tunnel: Revised services.

Cork Commuter: Saturday service.

Late night services after New Year celebrations:

Late night services operate with adjusted times compared to pre-Christmas weekends:

• To Howth: 01:30 and 02:30 from Pearse (all stations)
• To Greystones: 01:35 and 02:35 from Connolly (all stations)
• To Dundalk: 01:40 and 02:40 from Pearse (serving Tara St, Connolly and all stations from Howth Junction including Clongriffin, Portmarnock and Malahide)
• To Maynooth: 01:20 and 03:05 from Pearse (all stations)
• To Kildare: 00:55 and 02:58 from Pearse (all stations to Drumcondra, then all stations from ParkWest)

Normal fares apply and season tickets are valid at no extra charge.

New Year’s Day (Thursday 1^st January 2026)

InterCity: Revised and reduced services.

DART and Commuter: Sunday timetable (including Cork and Portlaoise Commuter).

Phoenix Park Tunnel: No service.

Friday 2^nd January 2026

Normal services resume on all routes.