Dublin is Ireland's capital and by far its largest coach hire market. Dublin Airport (DUB), 12 kilometres north of the city centre via the M1 and M50, is Ireland's primary international gateway with direct services to North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Group airport transfers from DUB to the city centre hotels take 25 to 45 minutes in normal traffic; longer during the morning and evening peak.
Beyond the city, Dublin is the staging post for Ireland's most popular group excursions: Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains (55 kilometres south via the N11), the Newgrange megalithic passage tomb and the Boyne Valley (50 kilometres north via the M1), and the Cliffs of Moher via Kilkenny (a long but manageable full-day run of 235 kilometres each way). Ireland drives on the left; coach operators are licensed under the National Transport Authority.
Dublin Airport is 12 kilometres north of the city centre via the M1 motorway and the M50 ring road. The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 for most Aer Lingus, British Airways, and charter flights, and Terminal 2 for American Airlines, Delta, and the larger Aer Lingus transatlantic routes. Coaches drop off at the designated coach bays on the upper level of each terminal. Journey time from DUB to O'Connell Street is 25 to 40 minutes via the M1 and the N1, or 30 to 50 minutes via the Port Tunnel and the quays.
The main group visitor sites in Dublin city centre are within a 2-kilometre radius: Trinity College and the Book of Kells on College Green, Dublin Castle in the historic Liberties district, Kilmainham Gaol (5 kilometres west), the Guinness Storehouse at St James's Gate (2 kilometres west of the centre), and the Grand Canal Docklands (3 kilometres east). Coaches approach the city centre via the quays along the Liffey; the main coach drop-off areas are the Custom House Quay and the Christchurch Place car park. The city's tram (Luas) covers the southside and the northside; for groups staying in the outer suburbs, the motorway network is fast.
Glendalough (55 kilometres south-east via the N11 and R763, approximately 1 hour by coach) is a 6th-century monastic settlement in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, one of the most photographed sites in Ireland. The valley has two lakes, a round tower, and a heritage visitor centre; coach parking is in the main Glendalough car park at the valley entrance. Newgrange (50 kilometres north via the M1, approximately 50 minutes) is a 5,200-year-old Neolithic passage tomb older than Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids; the site is managed by the Office of Public Works with timed entry, so advance booking is essential for groups. The Wicklow Mountains National Park (50 to 70 kilometres south via the N11) is used for hiking and team-building programmes.
As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Dublin runs around 280 to 530 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 460 to 880 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 700 to 1,320 EUR per day. Dublin is the highest-priced coach hire market in Ireland: demand is strong year-round, with St Patrick's Day weekend (17 March) and the August bank holiday weekend as the two peak periods. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.
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