This is the bus ticket stand outside Terminal 1. IF you come out of Terminal 1, (see below for Terminal 2) then look for the buses to your left upon exit, and get a ticket from the Aircoach stand. They will ask you were you need or want to go. You want to go to Drumcondra Train Station. It cost €7.00 for one way OR €9.00 for flexible return. The return is good for a return within 6 months. You can also buy a ticket on the bus from the bus driver, with a credit card.
This is what the bus looks like. There will likely be more than one of these buses lined up, so make sure you are at the right stand, There is plenty of room for baggage, just give it to the bus driver, Be sure to collect your baggage when you get off the bus.
This is were you wait for your 700/700X bus at Terminal 1. You willl notice Drumcondra is the first stop listed. This is the first stop off the airport. The bus will also stop at Terminal 2 for passenger pickup. The bus runs every half hour (20 after and 10 till).
Terminal 2: As you head out of the baggage hall you see this bridge and signage. Follow the signs to Zone 20.
Find the ticket booth or stand, buy your ticket, or buy it on the bus from the driver, with a credit card. The bus will stop and the driver will query everyone to make sure your getting on the right bus. You want the 700 or 700x bus to Drumcondra Train Station.
Drumcondra Bus Stop
Here is the walking map from the Drumcondra bus stop to the train station. It’s a total of 415 feet. If you look down the street, in the direction the bus was travelling, you will see the train tracks crossing the street in the form of a bridge. Be sure to collect your baggage and walk the same direction the bus is/was going towards the crosswalk. Cross the street and continue to walk in the same direction as you were.
The train, the train……
The train station entrance is highlighted with yellow arrow, just to the left of the Centra Store. Hopefully you bought your ticket online in advance. As last minute tickets are the most expensive ticket, but if not, stop and purchase your ticket at the machine when you walk in. Your destination for the train is Ballymote.
In all likelihood, you should be waiting on Platform 2 for the Sligo train. If you have large luggage you will want to use the elevators. To get to platform 2, take the elevator that is located in the left back corner of the ticketing / turnstyle area. Take the elevator to the second floor. Cross the bridge and take that elevator down to the ground / 0 floor.
The ‘A’ Coach is general reserved, so plan on any coach except ‘A’, which is either the first or last coach, unless you reserved your seat. In that case find the correct coach and seat and enjoy a relaxing 2 hour 30 minute train ride.
Luggage racks are located at one end of the coach. If you don’t see them, try the other end of the coach your in, or the next coach closest to you. Do not put anything above the seats (glass shelf area) greater than 20 lbs, this is for under your seat type backpacks. As you board the train, keep in mind that there are some tickets that allow you to select your seat. You will notice an LCD display at each row of seats, if there is a name or number listed, that seat has been reserved and you MAY get bumped out of it. Now you can relax for 2 hour and 30 minutes. You may want to set an alarm to wake you up prior to the Ballymote scheduled arrival time, available at https://irishrail.ie
The Ballymote station is relatively small, so grab yout bags, exit the train, exit the station, and meet your driver (me) who will whisk you off to Ballynaraw House, a 8km (5 mile) drive.