Ennis is due to gain two town bus routes on Sunday, 18 October 2026, following an announcement published by Clare County Council on 9 October. Both routes will reach the town centre and the bus and rail station. The change matters for people arranging a daily journey, but the launch date is still ahead: this is a guide to the announced service, not a report of buses already running. [1]

NS1 connects Ballymaley and Clarecastle, including Ennis Hospital. NS2 connects Tulla Road and Shanaway Road through the centre and Kilrush Road. The council describes a half-hourly service on each route, with a more frequent combined service along their shared central section. That combined frequency does not apply to every stop on either route. [1]

Check the first journey at stop level

Transport for Ireland lists separate timetables for NS1 and NS2 and different operating hours on Sundays. Use the timetable for the correct direction and day, then identify the stop nearest your actual destination. A route reaching the railway station does not guarantee that every bus connects comfortably with every train. [2]

TFI also lists a change for existing C6C passengers: its final operation is scheduled for Saturday, 17 October, with NS1 replacing it from Monday, 19 October. Its route page flags Cappahard stop 11813 and An Sean Dún stop 11810 on Tulla Road as unavailable. Recheck that notice before relying on either stop. [2]

Plan payment and connections together

The published adult fares are €2 cash and €1.50 with Leap. TFI describes a 90-minute interchange arrangement between NS1 and NS2 when using a valid Leap card; paying cash is a separate option. Check the current fare rules for children, students or Free Travel rather than applying the adult price to everyone. [2]

A useful trial journey has three checks: the outbound stop and time, the onward connection, and the return bus. Keep the official route page available while planning, especially during the service’s introduction. This guide does not confirm live running times, seat availability or a guaranteed connection.