TD tells of 'onerous' experience in accessing public transport from Castlebar to Mayo airport

A Mayo Oireachtas member has told of her 'onerous' experience in trying to access public transport from Castlebar to Ireland West Airport Knock.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh explained: "I wanted to get from Castlebar to Knock to get a flight from Knock Airport.

"I wanted to use public transport. Just trying to find out about the bus service that connects Castlebar to Knock proved to be an onerous task.

"I went to the bus stop to see what was displayed there.

"There was nothing whatsoever displayed on the bus stop in Castlebar.

"It is the small things like that which need to be addressed to ensure people avail of the services that are even there.

"I commend all the bus drivers. It was quite an experience.

"Getting on the bus to Knock, I saw that I could not tap my card. It does not take a card; you have to have cash.

"If you do not have cash, what do you do in that situation?

"Besides the security issues that arise for drivers who have to provide their own floats, that is not good enough in 2026.

"When we talk about overarching and high-level stuff, we need to get the lower-level stuff right.

"We need the stronger links. We need to get the basics right in tourism.

"We need transport providers that communicate with each other and provide integrated information and ticketing timetables.

"We need improved connectivity. It is not simply a tourism issue; it is a regional development issue as well.

"When we match up regional development with tourism, that is how we are going to get our maximum outcomes for what is needed."

The Erris-based representative added: "If we are to be serious about growing tourism, we must be serious about the connectivity and infrastructure that is needed to maximise the outcomes from the money that is invested in tourism, including money invested in advertising abroad to attract people here.

"Tourism cannot thrive if visitors cannot easily reach destinations, move between regions and access attractions.

"Too often, the government speaks about promoting tourism while failing to invest adequately in the transport networks and public infrastructure that underpin the sector.

"This is especially true in the west and north west. We cannot expect regions like Mayo to realise their full tourism potential when transport links remain inadequate and investment lags behind demand."

Her comments were addressed to Minister for Tourism Peter Burke.