Please note: we are now in a house in Barr na Coille near Pollathomas (not Rossport). Contact the camp in advance to see if there are any lifts avaliable /people who need lifts. We can often help with places to stay on route (eg. in Dublin/Castlebar).
By Public Transport: Get a train or bus to Ballina. See: http://www.buseireann.ie for buses and http://www.irishrail.ie/ for trains. From those places you can get transport from a private bus company called McGraths (097) 87842 http://www.mcgrathcoaches.com. Get to the bus stop early to look out for a McGraths minibus and flag it down! Ballina- Minibus leaves at 5.10pm from outside Dunnes Stores, that is, from the carpark beside the Humbert Monument (15-20min walk from bus and train station). If you are coming from Castlebar- Minibus leaves from 5pm from beside the drop off point for the Bus Eireann buses. McGraths do not run on Sundays (return from graveyard 10.30 a.m. Monday to Saturday, 10 euro return, 8 euro single). They will drop you off at the graveyard. Walk up the hill & we are the first house on the left.
Hitching: You will find general information on hitching out of Dublin on Hitchwiki, generally your best of first getting to Ballina in the first place. When your there it's easier to get a lift on the N59 from Ballina to Belmullet, but the scenic coast road ( 'Killala' then 'Pollathomas') is much nicer.
By bike or car: From Ballina (50km): Take the N59, the road going to Belmullet. The first town you meet is Crossmolina. Continue on the N59, traveling in the direction of the village of Bangor Erris. Go through Bangor Erris until you see the Marian grotto. (On your left is Srahmore, this is the site Shell use to dump the peat during construction work.) Turn right at the grotto and go up the 'oil road' (because it was widened for Shell). At the end of this road you come to a T-junction, turn right (direction Ballycastle) and you're on the Ballinaboy road, where the refinery is. Take the second left sign posted for 'Poll a tSomais' (Pollathomas). Drive straight through Pollathomas. On your left you will see a graveyard with a steep road going up the middle. Take this road, we are the first house on the left.
The Coast Route has amazing views and is roughly the same distance but the head wind is strong on bad days! Take the R314 north out of Ballina in the direction of Killala, after Killala you come to the village of Ballycastle and then the hamlet of Belderg. You then go through the village of Glenamoy, you pass the right turn for Rossport and continue till you see a right turn for 'Poll a tSomais' (Pollathomas). Drive straight through Pollathomas. On your left you will see a graveyard with a steep road going up the middle. Take this road, we are the first house on the left.
How to get from Britain to the camp:
1. Just go to any train station & ask for a rail and sail ticket. Fares start at £26, no need to book in advance. http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/rail-and-sail/dun-laoghaire. Or check out coach from London-Dublin http://www.eurolines.co.uk/coach/index.aspx
It might be possible to offer you accommodation in Dublin-contact the camp.
2. Dublin to Ballina http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1233309217-22.pdf Cheaper if you book ticket online.
3. Ballina to the camphouse, Barr na Coille (about 50 km) McGraths Minibus leaves at 5.10pm from car park outside Dunnes Stores (15-20min walk from bus and train station) and drops you by the camp. On Fridays, the 17.30pm takes you to Belmullet which is about 10 miles from the camp. You can bring bikes on the train for free or by coach (may be a charge).
How to get from Scotland to the camp:
1. Fares are much cheaper for the rail and sail ticket if you book two days in advance, otherwise just turn up at the station. http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/rail-and-sail/scotland/ eg. Glasgow or Edinburgh £23 if booked two days in advance. It might be possible to offer you accommodation with Belfast- contact the camp.
2. Belfast to Ballina Expressway service www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1202290328-66.pdf Cheaper if you book ticket online. You can bring bikes on the coach.
3. Ballina to the camphouse, Barr na Coille McGraths Minibus leaves at 5.10pm from car park outside Dunnes Stores (15-20min walk from bus and train station) and drops you by the camp.
From further afield
Please try to avoid flying if possible. Check out http://www.seat61.com for travel options from Europe and beyond.
