By CAROL BYRNE
THE new Dublin Coach service which started motoring recently from Ennis to the capital will result in up to 50 permanent jobs when the company wheels out its new Quicktours packages from Ennis.
Speaking at the launch of the newly extended service, Dublin Coach owner and Kilrush native John O’Sullivan said he views Ennis as a “tourism hub”.
At the event held at the Templegate Hotel on Thursday it was highlighted that the route created a gateway between Ennis, Limerick, Kildare and Dublin enabling the free flow of visitors and greater partnership between each location.
“Ultimately this service provides Ennis and Clare with the platform to maximise on the increased arriving into Shannon and Dublin Airport but equally the domestic consumer who is responsible for the greatest volume,” a spokesperson for Dublin Coach.
It is envisaged that the new service will result in up to 50 permanent jobs when the company rolls out their new Quicktours packages from Ennis.
“In addition to our commuter service, we do believe through our Short break brand – Quicktours with your cooperation we can Build Great Tourism Experiences via Ennis linking to greater attractions across Clare and the West of Ireland or The Great Atlantic Way. Tourism is a competitive business. Travel is high on people’s list of desires and the relatively cheaper ways to travel have made the world a smaller place. Dublin Coach view Ennis as core to creating such,” said Phil Donnely of Dublin Coach.
“However we wish to create these packages and experiences under our Quicktours in cooperation with you. Tourism is very much a team game. In any region in which tourism is a major economic force, the common thread is the degree of cooperation between all the people in the region, ultimately leading to building great tourism experiences,” he added.
The service is running every 30 minutes during peak hours with 24 services in both directions every Friday, Sunday and bank holiday Mondays.
Since the official commencement of its newly extended service, on December 10, 2013 private bus company, Dublin Coach has said it has “been overwhelmed with the very positive reaction and support received from customers, businesses and local government across Ennis”.
The company was granted the license from the National Transport Authority last November to extend its service from Dublin Airport to include Ennis.
A native of Kilrush, Mr O’Sullivan, stated the company views Ennis as tourism hub from which to base bus tour services to Clare and the West of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations.
“In addition to its commuter services, Dublin Coach also operates high quality tours to popular tourist attractions around Ireland under QuickTours.ie. Another key influencing factor for Dublin Coach in choosing Ennis, was the fact that it is the first town in Ireland accredited with the prestigious International Purple Flag Award proving Ennis’ claim to be the Friendliest Town in Ireland.
“ In the few weeks since the service commenced, the company received a very positive response from commuters and pledged to continue to providing a superior quality service,” he concluded.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.