261 Bus Timetable Cork – Schedules, Stops and Frequencies

Bus Éireann route 261 connects Cork Bus Station with Ballinacurra South via Midleton, serving commuters and visitors across the eastern corridor of Cork city and county. The service operates daily with a journey time of approximately 40 minutes, stopping at 20 locations including Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune, and Little Island.

While some travellers search for connections to Ballincollig, route 261 serves the Midleton area rather than the western suburbs. Direct services to Ballincollig operate on separate routes such as the 220. The 261 remains a critical link for residents between the city centre and the eastern townlands.

Timetables vary significantly between weekdays and weekends, with frequencies tightening during morning and evening peaks on Monday to Friday. Passengers should consult official PDF schedules or real-time apps before travelling, as holiday periods may affect service patterns.

What is the 261 Bus Timetable in Cork?

Key Service Insights:

1. Weekday first departure: Cork Bus Station sees the first outbound bus at 07:50, while Ballinacurra South starts at 07:20.
2. Final services: Monday through Saturday, the last bus leaves Cork at 22:50; Sunday service terminates earlier at 22:05.
3. Peak efficiency: Frequencies tighten to roughly every 22 minutes during weekday peaks.
4. Weekend spacing: Saturday and Sunday intervals widen significantly, ranging from 43 to 192 minutes depending on the time of day.
5. Documentation: Official PDF timetables remain valid through November 2025, providing printed reference for offline planning.

*Sunday morning service from Cork starts around 07:50 with limited subsequent departures. Verify real-time apps for exact Sunday scheduling. Sources: Moovit, Bus Éireann PDF

What are the Stops and Route for the 261 Bus in Cork?

Eastbound Journey: Ballinacurra to Cork

The route begins at Ballinacurra South, proceeding through Ballinacurra North (served twice), Saint Mary’s Road, and the Jameson Distillery. From there, the bus enters Midleton, stopping at Market Green and Knockgriffin before continuing through Waterock and Carrigtwohill. The journey passes Church Lane, Maryville, and Ida Carrigtwohill, then reaches Glounthaune Station and Glounthaune Church. After Little Island Station and Kilcoolishal, the route passes Tivoli Gardens and Water Street before terminating at Cork Bus Station.

Westbound Journey: Cork to Ballinacurra

Departing Cork Bus Station, the service travels via Cork Kent Station on Lower Glanmire Road, continues through Tivoli Gardens, and stops at Lotamore House and North Esk Junction. The route serves Little Island (opposite the rail station) before heading east toward Glounthaune and Carrigtwohill. Midleton acts as the major intermediate hub before the final stretch to Ballinacurra.

How Often Does the 261 Bus Run in Cork?

Service frequency fluctuates dramatically based on the day and time. Monday through Friday, buses run as often as every 22 minutes during peak commuting hours, though midday and evening gaps can extend to nearly two hours. Saturday schedules relax further, with intervals ranging from 43 to 172 minutes.

Sunday service operates at the lowest frequency, with waits potentially stretching to 192 minutes between buses. Specific Sunday departures from Cork toward Ballinacurra include limited services at 11:30, 13:00, 15:30, 16:15, 17:15, and 21:30 on select dates, though travellers should verify current displays as these patterns may shift seasonally.

Where to Find the Latest 261 Bus Timetable for Cork?

Official documentation remains available through multiple channels. Bus Éireann publishes PDF timetables covering distinct validity periods—one applicable from June 2024 and an updated version effective November 2025. These documents specify exact pickup and drop-off notes, such as the 17:20 departure from Cork Bus Station on certain weekdays.

Digital platforms offer more dynamic access. The Transport for Ireland network map provides visual route context, while third-party applications aggregate live data. For passengers researching Fisher Price Little People – History Safety Best Sets Guide during their journey planning, mobile connectivity along the 261 corridor remains generally stable through urban and suburban segments.

261 Bus Fares and Tracking in Cork

Fares for segments such as Midleton to Cork start at approximately €6, with final pricing dependent on the specific journey length and payment method. The TFI Leap Card offers integrated ticketing across the network, typically providing slight discounts over cash fares.

Real-time tracking capabilities exist through two primary applications. Moovit provides live vehicle positioning on a map interface, offline PDF downloads, and service disruption alerts. The TFI Live App delivers real-time departure information and journey planning across the national network, including route 261. Bus Éireann’s website integrates with these systems rather than offering standalone route-specific trackers.

How Do Weekday and Sunday Services Compare?

The operational rhythm shifts substantially between standard weekdays and rest days. Monday through Friday, the service maintains a steady pulse aligned with commuter patterns, while weekend schedules prioritise reduced operational costs over convenience.

What is Definitive About the 261 Service?

How Does the 261 Bus Fit Into Cork’s Transport Network?

Route 261 serves the eastern transport corridor, distinct from western suburban services. While Ballincollig residents often search for this route number, they actually require route 220 or other western services for direct access. The 261 connects with Irish Rail at Glounthaune and Little Island, creating multimodal possibilities for commuters.

The route passes significant employment sites including the Jameson Distillery and retail centres at Market Green. For those interested in Members of One Direction – Complete List and History while travelling, the 40-minute journey allows adequate time for mobile browsing before reaching city centre terminals.

Sources and Documentation

All scheduling information derives from official Bus Éireann publications and verified third-party transport aggregators. Route mapping data originates from Moovit’s transit database, while fare estimates reference Rome2Rio’s segment analysis.

Services operate daily with varying schedules: Monday-Friday first bus from Ballinacurra at 07:20, from Cork at 07:50; last bus 22:50.

— Bus Éireann Timetable PDF, valid from 23.11.2025

Summary of 261 Bus Cork Service

Route 261 provides essential connectivity between Cork city centre and the eastern settlements of Ballinacurra and Midleton. Operating 20 stops over approximately 40 minutes, the service runs daily with frequencies ranging from 22 minutes on weekday peaks to nearly three hours on Sunday evenings. Passengers should download current PDF timetables or use real-time apps to navigate the significant variation between weekday and weekend schedules. While Members of One Direction – Complete List and History may occupy some travellers during the commute, attention to departure times remains crucial given the reduced Sunday and bank holiday services.

Frequently Asked Questions