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New Free Bus Service for the Burren National Park to commence this bank holiday weekend

· 'A perfect time to visit one of Ireland's magnificent national parks' - Deenihan

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht's National Parks and Wildlife Service is delighted to announce the recommencement of the Free Bus Service for the Burren National Park, Co Clare, for the 2014 season. From Saturday 3rd May until Friday 29th August the bus service will operate between the Burren National Park Visitor Information Point located in the village of Corofin, Co. Clare and the National Park.

A sixteen-seater bus will operate, at approximately hourly intervals, beginning at 10.15a.m.at the park’s visitor information point, until 6.00p.m., seven days a week. It will drop off and pick up visitors at set locations around the National Park.

This service gives visitors the opportunity to explore the five scenic way-marked walking trails found within the park. Visitors may enjoy the unique Burren landscape at their leisure, before re-joining the bus at a later time and/or a different place and returning to Corofin.

The service is in its third year of operation. In addition to providing a unique visitor experience, it is also expected that the service will help boost tourism in North Clare and support local service providers. The Burren National Park Visitor Information Point in Corofin was opened in May of 2012 by Minister Jimmy Deenihan. Its aim is to provide information and interpretation to visitors to the National Park. A program of events, including guided nature walks and Art-in-the-Park activities, are provided from April until September by the guides who operate from the information point.

Commenting on the service, Minister Deenihan said:

“The recommencement of this free bus service at the Burren this bank holiday weekend makes it the perfect time to visit one of Ireland's magnificent national parks. I am delighted that this free bus service will be available for the summer from this bank holiday weekend. The Burren is one of our great natural resources, and is home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna. With this free bus service, I hope that greater numbers of people can enjoy the natural beauty of Burren National Park this summer.”