Mayo

By Air

If you’re flying to Ireland, choose the airport that best suits your travel plans. Each has connections to Castlebar (near ATU Mayo campus) by bus or taxi.

Ireland West Airport (Knock)

• Approx. 40 km via the N5 or 51.5 km via the N17/N60
• +353 (0)94 9368100
• www.irelandwestairport.com
• Direct Bus: Bus Éireann Route #440 to Castlebar

Dublin Airport

• Approx. 242 km via the N5 or 279 km via the M6
• +353 (0)1 814 1111
• www.dublinairport.com
• Direct Bus: Citylink Route #721 to Castlebar

By Sea

Ferry services from Britain and continental Europe arrive at:

Republic of Ireland Ports

• Dublin Port
• Dún Laoghaire Harbour
• Rosslare Harbour

Northern Ireland Ports

• Port of Belfast
• Port of Larne

Useful websites:

• www.directferries.ie
• www.stenaline.ie
• www.irishferries.com
• www.poirishsea.com
• www.dfdsseaways.co.uk

By Road – Car

Approximate driving times to Castlebar:

• Dublin: ~3 hours
• Athlone: <2 hours
• Galway: ~1 hour 15 minutes
  (Subject to traffic and time of day)

By Road – Bus

Several bus companies operate daily services to Castlebar. The ATU Mayo campus is a 5-minute walk from the main stop (across from Mr. Price in Castlebar town).

Key Routes

Dublin → Castlebar

• Bus Éireann Route #440
• Stops include: Dublin Airport, Athlone, Roscommon, Castlerea, Ballyhaunis, Knock, Kilkelly, Claremorris, Balla, Breaffy, Swinford, Bohola, Ballyvary

Galway → Castlebar

• Bus Éireann Route #456
• Stops include: Galway Bus Station, Clonboo, Headford, Shrule, Ballinrobe, Partry, Killawalla, Westport, Islandeady, Cloonken

Within Mayo

• TFI Local Link Route #792 & #10787
• Citylink Route #430
• Expressway Route #52

Major Bus Operators

A parking management system is in operation on ATU Mayo campus.

Invited Guests

Invited Guests may be permitted to use spaces marked Visitor, this should be prearranged with member of staff

Disability Parking

Disabled parking spaces are located close to the main entrances of the ATU campus. Users must display the EU Blue Badge. All regular disability users will be required to purchase an ATU parking permit for all spaces when available

Drivers unable to find a space within universally parking accessible bays may park in other available designated spaces, including Pay and Display, without display of a ticket. A valid “blue badge” must be displayed in this instance. Driver using these spaces displaying a Blue/Disability badge may park such that they are occupying more than one car parking space if disability requires.

A small number of pay and display spaces are reserved for visitors to the campus.

Visitors

Visitors on a business or courtesy visit can use the Pay & Display spaces. Charge is Euro 1.50 per hour. Pay by phone facility also available. Virtual P&D parking is available at Galwegians,. use of this facility is through Pay by Phone. Where invited visitors may be allowed to park in directorate area car park, arrangements for this to be made with person visiting. (note; where available ATU staff, even when visiting from other campus, should not use visitor parking.

Group or School Visits/Open Days

Event managers are required to give prior notification of at least 5 working days to carparking.galwaymayo@atu.ie. Event managers are expected to promote Public Transport , the use of parking at Galwegians, and make arrangements for off campus parking

Clamping

Vehicles not having applied for the appropriate permit for the designated parking space are liable to be clamped.

Cars parked inconsiderately may be clamped at all times (including when permits not available). Inconsiderate parking includes parking on grassed areas (including Galwegians) and along roadways.

Parking to grassed areas or non-designated parking areas may be clamped at any time.

The release fee for clamped vehicles is €50. An additional call-out fee of €30 is charged after 8pm.

ATU is assisted with the clamping of inconsiderately parked cars, and for Permits.  Clamping is carried out by a wholly independent company.

Clamped vehicle owners have the right to appeal.

Before appealing, drivers are encouraged to view details of their clamping on the APCOA website using the immobilisation number on their clamping ticket.

A permit system is in operation in the Galway City campus on the old Dublin Road (including Galwegians) and Castlebar, with a permit required between 08:30 – 18:00, Monday to Friday

Staff and students are required to apply for annual parking permits, these will be available from September onwards.

Student and staff permits are validated on campus after purchase for new applicants and can be arranged throughout the year. A permit costs €10 for students and €15 for staff, and can be amended during the academic year should applicants change vehicles or personal details. Validation is required to provide proof of being staff or student, this is automatic by use of ATU email address when setting up account,

The permit does not guarantee a parking space, but allows the bearer to park on campus if space is available.

Email will be sent to all with details of Permit Application Process.

Applicants will be required to provide proof of term time address, permits will not be issued for users with term time address within 1 km of campus. Confirmation of distance required at time of application.

Validation is by visual verification and no capture of data provided is required. On application users confirm they are commuting distances greater than 1 km, start/end of week commuting not relevant. Type of information provided will be registered with application, change in circumstance to be informed, permit holders will be informed of cancelled permit if incorrect information given, no refund.

Permits are Electronic, this utilises an electronic permit using the car licence plate number. Each successful applicant will have their licence plate number logged to a database. No physical permit is issued, as your permit is virtual.

Please note: 

• Parking Permits for 2025-2026 will be required, date for purchase will be informed in December 2025. Before commencement of sale, cars can be parked in permit car parks without previous purchase. Users are expected to park in correct zones
• Non Campus users using ATU car parks may have sanctions of warnings, clamp or Lift and Tow applied at anytime. Leaving campus and going elsewhere will be noted as being Non Campus Use
• If you park in a Pay & Display area the charge is €1.50 per hour.
• Electric Vehicle Charging is available in Pay and Display Area. Purchase of P&D ticket required at €1.50 per hour. Sign up to EV charging APP required, contact carparking.galwaymayo@atu.ie for details