Travel with Bus Éireann to see some of Ireland’s Magical Christmas Markets

Customers can enjoy seeing some of Ireland’s magical Christmas markets with ease this festive season with Bus Éireann. The fragrance of mulled wine, the aromas of cinnamon and clove, the smell of roasted chestnuts and sweet gingerbread makes Christmas markets a wonderful experience.

Bus Éireann has a wide range of commuter and inter city services to the following Christmas markets taking place across the country. 

For the second year in Eyre Square, the Galway Continental Christmas market will run until the end of December. Wooden chalets, food, drinks and goods from all over Europe are some of the things that can be expected. There is also a ‘Santa Grotto’ for the children to give Santa their all important requests. Another Christmas market will be trading off Eyre Square in Church Lane by St Nicholas Church. This magical Christmas market will run until Christmas Eve. For commuters looking to avoid the Christmas traffic rush, Bus Éireann will be providing bus services to and from the Park & Ride at Ballybrit Racecourse to the city centre every 15 minutes.

The Grand Parade in Cork City has been transformed into a Christmas Market with plenty of festive decor, Christmas trees and twinkly lights. It is open every weekend until 22 December and features a new “Rockin Robin” themed illumination in Bishop Lucey Park with live music, entertainment, carol singers and face painting for the kids amongst much more.

At Cornmarket Row in Limerick the all-weather Christmas market takes place every Thursday to Sunday until Christmas Eve. It features sixty stalls filled with food, arts, crafts and gift surprises. Every Friday a free lunchtime Christmas Concert will take place, which is an ideal place to meet family and friends.

The Waterford Christmas market this year features all Christmas favourites from wooden ornaments, food, drinks, toys, cosmetics, gifts and much more. For the kids there will be a traditional carousel onsite and a Santa Express train with a carol service for the adults in Christ Church Cathedral. The market promises to fulfil all your Christmas shopping needs with something to suit every age.

For the seventh year running, Killarney has embraced an open air festive market that features a wide selection of handmade crafts and food products, which promises something to suit all tastes and palates. The highlight of the market is the Killarney Jaunting Sleigh Ride, which costs €10 for two adults and two children.

The Docklands Christmas market in Dublin runs until 23 December at the George’s Dock, IFSC. Brightly decorated wooden huts and bright lights along the waterside with fairground attractions are some of the features to see at the Docklands. Without forgetting the 7UP Winter Wonderland at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which runs until the 8th of January and promises to be Ireland’s newest and biggest winter park.  For more information on services and timetables, please visit www.buseireann.ie.

“The Christmas markets are a truly wonderful experience. For decades people had to hop on a plane to visit a Christmas market but now customers can enjoy all the festivities by using our services and travelling to their nearest Christmas market,” said Andrew McLindon, Media and PR Manager, Bus Éireann. 

For more information on Christmas markets around Ireland please visit: www.discoverireland.ie/festive

Monday, 12th December, 2011