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The Achill Explorer - a Bustitution Railtour

Niles
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On Saturday, 26th September, Táilte Tours CLG is proud to present The Achill Explorer, a tour of the former Westport to Achill branch line. The tour will be guided by historian Jonathan Beaumont, author of Rails to Achill.  https://www.tailtetours.com/event-details/the-achill-explorer-a-bustitution-railtour

We will be using the 08:03 Iarnród Éireann service from Kildare, arriving back in Kildare for 21:35.

We have been advised by Iarnród Éireann of engineering works taking place between Heuston and Kildare on the day. This will mean bus transfers between Dublin and Kildare, and earlier departure times/later arrival times as a result.

The bus transfer is leaving Dublin Heuston at 06:20, and is back for 22:40.

Our arrival in Westport just after 11:00. From here, we will board our chartered bus, which will take us on a journey up to Achill, calling at key locations served by the former Midland Great Western Railway branch line along the way, such as Newport and Mulranny, for a day of exploring. Opened in 1895, this branch line was closed by the Great Southern Railways as far back as 1937, but its history and folklore live on to this day.

We will also be picking up/setting down at Newport, (Grainne Uaille), for 11:20 (back by 18:00). Our bus will return us to Westport in time to make the 18:30 service train back to Kildare and Dublin Heuston. We have a number of ticketing options available, including rail travel from Kildare and a 'bus only' fare for those of you joining locally in Westport.

Tickets once purchased are strictly non-refundable.


Recommended Comments

Mol_PMB

Posted

A couple of quick admin questions. I will be starting at Heuston and have a Tailte ticket including rail travel. It's an electronic ticket with QR code.

  • Will there be a Tailte representative at Heuston or only from Kildare?
  • Will this Tailte ticket be accepted on the bus transfer?
  • Where at Heuston do the bus transfers leave from? 

Many thanks, 

Paul

Niles

Posted

On 23/9/2026 at 7:50 AM, Mol_PMB said:

A couple of quick admin questions. I will be starting at Heuston and have a Tailte ticket including rail travel. It's an electronic ticket with QR code.

  • Will there be a Tailte representative at Heuston or only from Kildare?
  • Will this Tailte ticket be accepted on the bus transfer?
  • Where at Heuston do the bus transfers leave from? 

Many thanks, 

Paul

Hi Paul,

 

@jhb171achill and I will be at Heuston's concourse in green jackets to guide passengers to the bus and yes it includes the transfer. See you then :)

  • Like 2
jhb171achill

Posted

There will be a small amount of railway books on sale on this tour, with profit to Táilte Tours.

Mol_PMB

Posted

@Niles, I think we’ve broken JB. At least he’s stopped talking, and I’ve never known him do that before 😂

IMG_4559.jpeg

  • WOW! 1

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