News

The National Parks and Wildlife Service launches New “Yeats-Gregory Explorer” Shuttle Bus Service for Summer 2026

Date Released: Thursday, July 16, 2026

A new free hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service connecting some of South Galway’s most important literary, cultural and natural heritage attractions is now operating. The service was launched at Coole Park today (Tuesday June 2nd) by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney TD. 
Funded and operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the new Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle bus service will run daily until August 31, linking Gort town centre with Coole Park Nature Reserve, Kiltartan Gregory Museum, Thoor Ballylee, Kilmacduagh Monastery and Garryland Wood.
 Through this initiative the NPWS aims to support sustainable tourism by encouraging visitors to leave their cars in Gort and explore the wider Coole Park and South Galway heritage landscape at their own pace. The service also improves access for visitors arriving to Gort by rail and regional bus services.It was developed in close consultation with Galway County Council and Fáilte Ireland, whose support and collaboration helped bring the initiative to fruition.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, welcomed the initiative, saying:

“I warmly welcome the launch of the Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle bus service. This initiative is an excellent example of how sustainable visitor infrastructure can help people experience and appreciate Ireland’s natural, literary and cultural heritage while supporting biodiversity protection and more sustainable tourism.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney TD, said:

“The Yeats-Gregory Explorer is an innovative initiative that improves connectivity between some of South Galway’s most important visitor attractions while encouraging more sustainable travel choices. By linking public transport with heritage and tourism destinations, this service will help both visitors and local communities experience the region in a more accessible and environmentally responsible way.
“I am delighted to officially launch this new service and commend the National Parks and Wildlife Service and all partners involved for bringing this exciting project to fruition.
“By encouraging visitors to explore this unique landscape without relying on private cars, the service demonstrates how conservation, public engagement and local tourism can work together in a positive and practical way.”

Midwest Divisional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, William Cormacan, said:

“The Yeats-Gregory Explorer is a significant new initiative for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and for South Galway. This new service allows visitors to experience the remarkable landscape that inspired Lady Gregory, W.B. Yeats and many of the leading figures of the Irish Literary Revival, while also helping to protect that landscape.
“This project reflects the NPWS commitment not only to protecting biodiversity and natural heritage, but also to supporting public engagement with the landscapes, history and cultural heritage connected to these places. We are delighted to work with local partners to deliver this new visitor experience.”
The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society also welcomed the initiative:
“The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society welcomes the launch of this new initiative, which links many of the ecological, historic and cultural sites in the Gort area. The Society is working increasingly closely with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that the rich literary legacy of W.B. Yeats at Thoor Ballylee is secured now and for future generations. We congratulate the NPWS on this excellent initiative, and hope that the public embrace this free service, which enables them to explore the rich cultural history of South Galway.”

The Yeats-Gregory Explorer will operate as a flexible hop-on hop-off service with multiple daily departures from Gort Market Square.
Further information, including route maps and timetables, is available through NPWS and partner promotional channels.  Check out the website CoolePark.ie.

Further Information

shuttle bus at the official launch in Coole Park Nature Reserve.

The Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle bus was officially launched by Minister Seán Canney, pictured here, with Director Catríona Ryan and Regional Manager Rebecca Teesdale of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Councillor Paul Killilea, and Gerry Connolly and Marian Cahill-Collins of the The Wild Swan Theatre Group who played W.B Yeats and Lady Gregory.

the new Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle bus at the official launch in Coole Park Nature Reserve.

William Cormacan, Divisional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Minister of State Seán Canney admire the new Yeats-Gregory Explorer shuttle bus at the official launch in Coole Park Nature Reserve.

 

The Yeats-Gregory Explorer is a free hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service funded and operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The service operates daily from June 1 to August 31, 2026.
Stops include:

  • Gort town centre
  • Coole Park Nature Reserve
  • Kiltartan Gregory Museum
  • Thoor Ballylee
  • Kilmacduagh Monastery
  • Garryland Wood (back entrance to Coole Park Nature Reserve)