Hi All,
I am thrilled to be going to a dinner and show to see Van Morrison in Newcastle, County Down on the 22nd of August. I have not been able to find reliable information on busses or trains leaving Dublin where I will be staying for the majority of my trip. I understand the train does not stop in Newcastle so unless a bus goes there directly, I may have to take a train and then a bus.
Any advice will be much appreciated.
Anita from Minnesota, USA
I see that trains run from Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast Central every two hours starting at 07:35, on Irish Rail, and indeed it looks like a bus from there, though not too long a ride at 1 hour 20 minutes or so. Going from Central Station Belfast, it stops at Ulsterbus Station on Railway Street, just a two-minute walk from the hotel where he's playing.
It may not show you availability on the bus calendar going several weeks ahead; when I entered dates in September for bus it returned nothing. It appears that buses make this run all day. You might consider going a day early since this could get crowded depending on the capacity of the venue. There may be a simpler way to do this that I'm not aware of...
To say that I envy you would be an understatement, that would be a tremendous show to see-enjoy!
Dublin to Belfast train:
Belfast to Newcsatle bus:
http://journeyplanner.translink.co.uk/web/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en
Thank you Dave. I'm from Orono, Minnesota just west of Minneapolis. This plan looks like it may work. I see the train also stops in Newry first and a bus leaves from the train station to Newcastle. It may not be as busy. I've been planning this trip since November and this has been the only part that has been confusing so I am thankful for this forum.
Anita
Thanks to all who responded!