Free Park & Ride shuttle, enhanced bus services and special coaches from across NI for visitors heading to Newcastle, May 26 – 31
Translink is providing special transport arrangements for golf fans from Belfast heading to the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, May 26 – 31.

With tens of thousands of additional visitors expected to arrive in the busy seaside town, golf fans are being encouraged to plan their travel in advance and leave extra time for their journeys.
Translink Southern Area Manager Declan McGoran says there are many travel options available*:
“The Irish Open will be an unmissable sports event positioning Northern Ireland as a top visitor destination. We want to ensure everyone enjoys hassle-free journeys to Newcastle and the surrounding area, reducing traffic congestion as much as possible.
“We would strongly encourage all ticket-holders to think about how they will get safely to and from Royal County Down and have put in place attractive services and good value tickets to get people there with full details available online now at www.translink.co.uk/irishopen/.
“There will be enhanced bus services between Belfast Europa Buscentre and Newcastle running every half hour at peak times from May 26 – 31. Enhanced bus services will also run from Newry to Newcastle.
“Ulsterbus Tours will also operate special day return services from Belfast to Newcastle offering both travel and event entry or ‘travel only’ ticket options.

“A free Park & Ride shuttle bus service to and from the event will also operate from the dedicated Northfield site on the Castlewellan Road situated on the outskirts of Newcastle. This service will conveniently drop-off passengers near the Castlewellan Road Roundabout – a short five minute walk to the Irish Open Welcome Pavilion.
“We also plan to maintain existing normal services in the area but due to increased traffic congestion we would remind our customers to leave plenty of extra time for journeys.
“We have worked closely with The European Tour, Tourism NI, Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. Transport NI and the PSNI to devise a suitable transport plan for this high profile event and we are looking forward to bringing thousands of additional visitors to Newcastle and the surrounding area,” said Declan.
 
For further information and to buy travel tickets click www.translink.co.uk/irishopen/ or call the Translink contact centre on 90 66 66 30. For the latest travel updates and a chance to win Irish Open tickets follow @Translink_NI #smartmovers on Twitter.

Pictured announcing the Translink transport plans are l-r Kay Sharkey, Translink Service Delivery Manager, golf fans Mike Alexander and Tori Alexander, Martel Welsh, Translink Ulsterbus driver and Greg McKernan, Translink Ulsterbus Inspector