One of seven buses in Burren and Cliffs Explorer fleet at the Cliffs of Moher Experience. Photograph: Eamon Ward
ENNISTYMON and Fanore’s inclusion is among the big learnings for the pilot Burren and Cliffs of Moher Explorer shuttle bus to take on board if it is to become a long-term success in North Clare.
On Saturday, the free hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service concluded its pilot run which lasted from the beginning of May until the end of September. It was a joint initiative of Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), supported by Fáilte Ireland.
Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Kilfenora, Doolin, Liscannor, and Lahinch were among the stops for the Explorer with Lisdoonvarna and Miltown Malbay serving as the key hubs where parking was available. The service linked to key attractions in North Clare such as the Burren National Park, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, Aillwee Burren Experience, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Michael Cusack Heritage Centre, The Burren Visitor Centre, and Caherconnell Stone Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations.
Exact detail on the amount of service users during the three-month period has not been collated, a spokesperson for Clare County Council confirmed. “The data has not been fully correlated as yet, but details will be available in due course,” a spokesperson for the local authority told The Clare Echo.
Cllr Shane Talty (FF) previously criticised the manner in which the shuttle bus bypassed Ennistymon. “The issue I have is and it is particular to Ennistymon not being on the service. To my mind it is the first tourism product launch led by Clare County Council that produces an illustrated map of North Clare and Ennistymon is not on the map, I support 100% trying to spread the benefit but it is an own goal”. He added, “We have a neon sign in Inagh encouraging visitors to turn left, after twenty five years of failing to deliver on Blake’s Corner and improve accessibility, solution now seems to be we have an outer bypass in Inagh”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo this week, Cllr Talty stressed the importance of crunching the data to determine how the shuttle bus can be made bigger and better next season. “The feedback from several communities and in particular small business operators in accommodation and visitor attractions have given positive feedback. It is critical that clear data be circulated on each particular route and that consultation take place to allow for learnings and changes for 2026 to build on the progress of this initiative”.
According to Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG), both Ennistymon and Fanore need to be added as stops next year. “We need to take on board all the learnings and feedback to ensure it is even better and will continue beyond 2026. Integrating this with the great new routes by Local Link and Bus Eireann linking to and from North Clare along with getting each unique story and experience across our towns and villages, attractions fully ready and aligning for 2026 is critical work now needed. My long-held view is that pre-booking from key hubs and locations to the Cliffs of Moher will be necessary to make this a success with some charge for the shuttle service. Consideration of how to include Ennistymon, Fanore and other key routes for 2026 is also required”. Importance of the service in bringing extra football to towns and villages to support small businesses was flagged by Cllr Garrihy.
