Wheeling in the Years – Bus Éireann celebrates the 70th anniversary of Busáras

Bus Éireann is celebrating 70 years since Busáras, Ireland’s central bus and coach station, first opened its doors.

Generations of Tipperary people and visitors have travelled there to access the city from Cashel, Clonmel, Cahir, Roscrea and other places. With the absence of a rail network in many Irish towns, the hub has served countless passengers through the years. 

Busáras, which welcomes over one million passengers annually, saw services commence on 19 October 1953. Bus Éireann worked on the project to redevelop Busáras for a future generation of Irish passengers and now the iconic building has transported millions of passengers since services commenced in 19 October, 1953.

Originally designed by the renowned Irish architect Michael Scott, it was awarded the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Gold Medal in 1955. 

The station is recognised as one of the first modern buildings in Dublin to integrate architecture and art. 

Following the amalgamation of various transport companies to form the state company Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), Busáras was conceived as a unique combination of architecture and art.

The station features ornate mosaic tiling designed by pioneering Irish artist Patrick Scott, bronze windows, Portland stone and Irish oak flooring.

Construction on Busáras began in 1945 and cost over 1 million pounds. The project was completed in 1953. Áras Mhic Dhiarmada also houses the offices of the Department of Social Protection.

Bus Éireann recently announced plans to redevelop Busáras in the coming years. Central to the redevelopment will be the preservation of the building’s history and a renewed vision for Ireland’s public transport infrastructure for the next 70 years.

In attendance at the milestone anniversary will be Minister for State for Transport Jack Chambers TD, renowned conversation architect Merlo Kelly, Scott Tallon Walker Architects managing director Ronan Phelan. Architecture firm Scott Tallon Walker was co-founded by the late Michael Scott. 

Stephen Kent, CEO of Bus Éireann siad: “Busáras stands as a legacy for how far public transport in Ireland has come in the past 70 years. It also challenges us to be ambitious for the future. 

“Bus transport has transformed over the past 70 years, but Busáras has remained as the central hub of Irish public transport. It is a place where journeys begin and end and is an essential thread in the fabric of Ireland’s social and transport history. Busáras is arguably the greatest Irish building of the 20th century.’

“Seven decades ago, it would have been impossible to imagine hybrid, electric or hydrogen buses on the streets of our cities, towns and villages, but this is now a reality.

“With 1,400 planned departures each week and serving 14 different routes across Ireland, Busáras is essential for Bus Éireann’s goal of becoming the most customer-centered and sustainable transport company in Ireland.”

Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers said: “I am delighted to be here today to mark the 70th anniversary of the iconic Busáras building, and to recognize its role in Irish public transport services over the decades.

“I welcome the recent announcement of Bus Éireann’s plans to build on this strong legacy by redeveloping Busáras over the coming years. This is undoubtedly necessary to best meet the changing needs of public transport passengers for the next 70 years and beyond.

“This is a level of ambition commensurate with the increasing volume of passenger numbers the station has to accommodate, while also enriching the important history of the building.”