Travelling To Shannon

Shannon is located in County Clare on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland. It is approximately 140 miles from the capital, Dublin. The Republic of Ireland (also called Ireland or Eire) occupies most of the island and sits in the Northern Atlantic Ocean in Western Europe. It is an independent country with the northern portion (Northern Ireland), being part of the United Kingdom.

By car

Many of the attractions in the area are spread out, so hiring a car is the easiest way to reach them. Public transport can be erratic. If you are arriving from one of the ferry ports on the east coast, head towards Limerick and then take the N18, following signs for Ennis and Galway. At Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, follow the junction for Shannon.

Ireland has an extensive road system due to the large rural population that exists. Driving is on the left side of the road, so motorists without experience in left drive countries should be especially cautious. Tourists driving on the wrong side of the road are the cause of several serious accidents each year.

All of the major highways are in good condition and relatively congestion-free. Many of the country roads are narrow and winding, so extra care should be taken. Driving on these lanes can be a pleasure, with scenic treasures around every corner, but do not expect to get to your destination quickly. Motoring regulations and laws in Ireland are the same as in mainland Great Britain. Fuel prices are also similar.

By rail

Travelling within Ireland by train is a popular choice, as there is an extensive rail network. You can organise and book your journey through the InterRail service offered by Iarnrod Eireann, Ireland's national rail carrier. There are Channel services from Britain, including a ferry connection which takes you across the Irish Sea, both day and night.

Trains are usually comfortable and punctual by Irish standards. Iarnrd ireann's Explorer tickets offer discounted prices, should you choose to travel by train during your stay. To get to Shannon, take a train to Limerick, which is the nearest station, 15 miles away. From there, you can catch a bus to Shannon city centre. Tickets can be bought online at: www.irishrail.ie/home.

By bus

Coach services from Britain to Ireland are operated by Eurolines in conjunction with Bus Eireann. You can travel from over 1,500 locations within Britain and from over 400 destinations throughout Europe. Bus Eireann provides extensive services that link most towns. Once off the main routes, it's quite usual for small towns and villages to be served by only a couple of buses a week. Shannon is relatively small and easy to navigate on foot. Bus services are frequent to Limerick, from where you can connect to all major towns and cities.

By air

Shannon Airport is one of the main entry points for transatlantic flights, providing access to towns and cities across the south and mid-west of Ireland. It is located just one mile from the town centre. Local buses are provided by Bus Eireann, who have a desk in the Arrivals Hall. Taxis are available 24 hours from the taxi desk, which is also situated in the Arrivals Hall.

A single terminal handles all domestic and international flights. Facilities include a good selection of bars and restaurants, open 24 hours. Shannon is the birthplace of duty-free and the airport has some excellent shops as well as the normal banking facilities and a bureau de change. Short-term and long-term car parking is available nearby.

By ferry

If you are travelling by ferry, the easiest port to arrive at is Dublin, approximately 140 miles away. The quickest sailing takes 1 hour 50 minutes from Holyhead in Britain to Dublin Port, with Irish Ferries. There aare a number of other car and passenger ferry ports, both north and south of Shannon, with modern vessels sailing directly to and from both the continent (France) and the UK (Scotland, England and Wales).

Taxis

Shannon is well served by local taxi companies, both at the airport and in the town centre. They can be hailed in the street or pre-booked in advance by telephone.