All go at Callinan Coaches

20/05/2024

These are exciting times at Callinan Coaches who have just started operating the contract for GoBus’ services from Galway to Dublin City and Airport and Ballina to Galway awarded by Citylink Ireland, who are part of the Comfort Delgro Group.

It follows Citylink Ireland’s acquisition of GoBus in 2022 and sees both the staff and fleet of GoBus come under Callinan Coaches’ wing. This amounts to 45 drivers and 15 coaches which Callinan Coaches plans to upgrade and replace the fleet in the near future.

“We took over two of the GoBus routes on December 1,” Emma Callinan of Callinan Coaches explains.

“We tendered for the GoBus services and were thrilled to be chosen as the main contractor by Citylink Ireland. We have endeavoured to make the transition for the staff from GoBus to Callinan Coaches as smooth as possible. We share the same core values as Citylink Ireland when it comes to quality of service, comfort and safety. Like us, they’re a Galway-based company who we’re delighted to be working alongside for the past 15 years.”

With the new contract, Callinan Coaches operates 19 daily return services from Galway to Dublin City and Airport and five daily services, including 12 stops, on the Ballina to Galway route. Its non-stop service gets you there stress-free, whether you’re heading to the city or want to avoid the hassles of airport parking.

Callinan Coaches’ latest contract with Citylink Ireland coincided with Citylink Ireland / GoBus winning the Livery & Corporate Identity Award at the 2024 Fleet Bus & Coach Awards at the Johnstown Estate Hotel in Enfield, Co. Meath on November 16 last. Fittingly, the prestigious accolade was jointly-presented to Frances Cahill, Citylink’s Regional General Manager and Tommy Callinan, Managing Director of Callinan Coaches.

Established in Claregalway, Co. Galway in 1995 by Tommy Callinan, Callinan Coaches is one of the leading coach hire companies in Ireland with a fleet of 138 buses made up of modern executive coaches and double-deckers, and over 250 full-time and part-time staff. At the heart of the family-run business is a commitment to deliver a professional, high quality, luxury coach service every time. As part of an ongoing replenishment programme, Callinan Coaches took delivery of nine new Van Hool EX16’s and one Altano as well asthree new Volvo 9700s and a Volvo 9900 in 2023. For 2024, Callinan Coaches will introduce 20 new Van Hools to the fleet, including an Altano and 19 of their new T range that are all wheelchair accessible.

“We’re running 88 executive coaches comprising 49-seat Van Hool TX16 and EX16s, and 70-seat Van Hool Altano inter-deckers. We have 50 Volvo Wright and Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 double-deckers fitted with 68 seats that are used as part of a Park & Ride service that we operate for a large construction project in the Dublin / Kildare area,” Emma says.

“Our primary base is still here in Galway city, with our accompanying workshop located on the outskirts of Galway city where our trained team of mechanics conduct all repairs and inspections. The fleet is maintained on a regular basis to ensure the fleet is kept to the highest standards. We have established great working relationships with our suppliers that play a helping hand in the maintenance of our fleet - Cronin Coaches in Cork, who supply us with our Van Hool coaches, Murphy Commercials and John Mannion Truck & Trailer Components, both based in Claregalway, Kevin Burke Tyres in Galway, Universal Graphics in Monaghan and Adtec in Navan to name but a few.

“We also have bases in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Castlebar. It goes without saying we are very lucky with the team we have – our Drivers, Mechanics, Cleaners, Operations Staff, Tour Manager and Office Staff. Without doubt, they are our greatest asset and are the driving force to providing the excellent service we are renowned for.”

All of the executive coaches are equipped with air-conditioning, restrooms, Wi-Fi, 220 Volt Sockets and USB Ports, DVD Player, Individual Reading Lights, Reclining Seats and Footrests for the convenience of Callinan's passengers. 

The bases in Galway and Dublin are ideally located for services across Ireland, the UK and internationally and the company consistently strives to make customers the priority, aiming to exceed their expectations by delivering a comfortable, safe and luxurious service every time.

For decades, Callinan Coaches has been a tour provider for CIE Tours, who provide a variety of high-quality coach tour options for international visitors into Ireland, showcasing the natural beauty of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Currently with 28 modern executive coaches dedicated to their CIE Tours fleet in order to provide the highest quality coaches and luxurious service that CIE Tours guarantee their customers. 

In 2009, Callinan Coaches started working for Citylink Ireland, which makes up a large part of the company’s daily activities. You will see its fleet wrapped in the distinctive blue and yellow livery of Citylink across major cities, towns and airports.

The routes covered are Galway-Dublin Airport, Limerick-Dublin Airport, Galway-Cork Airport and Galway-Clifden, while the company also provides direct express services to and from Dublin City Centre as well as Dublin Airport. A Citylink express journey from Galway to Dublin Airport takes just three hours, while the Eireagle express can get passengers to their airport terminal in just two-and-a-half hours.  In October 2023, Callinan Coaches began operating Citylink Ireland’s new Castlebar to Dublin City and Airport service that also services Claremorris, Tuam and Athlone along the way.

“On a daily basis with Citylink, we operate six return services with 11 stops from Galway to Clifden, nine return commuter services from Galway to Dublin City / Airport with 26 stops, 42 return services from Galway to Dublin City / Airport, 11 non-stop returns from Limerick to Dublin Airport and eight return services from Galway via Limerick City to Cork City / Airport. Since October we also began operating six return services from Castlebar to Dublin City and Airport,” Emma continues.

“We are very fortunate with the strong relationships we have built throughout the years. We have grown to be one of CIE Tours’ largest Irish and UK contractors. We also provide Park & Ride services for Bus Éireann for large events such as concerts, the Irish Open and the National Ploughing Championships.

"In the run up to Christmas, we run a Park & Ride on behalf of Galway City Council from Ballybrit Racecourse to Galway Bus Station. Throughout the soccer (Premier League) season, we provide coach services for Midland Travel and, during the winter and early spring, we transfer skiers from the UK to Ski Resorts in the South of France and Italy. and Throughout the year, we also provide private hire services for schools, groups, sports clubs etc.”

As Callinan Coaches continues to go from strength to strength, the company would like to take this opportunity to thank its passengers and suppliers for their continued support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.

Callinan Coaches Ltd
Kiniska,
Claregalway,
Co Galway.
Telephone: 091 798 324
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.callinancoaches.ie

First published in Irish Trucker magazine March/April 2024, Vol 27-1