Shoppers from all across the county can enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience at this year’s Local Food and Craft Gift Fair, thanks to the team at the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Galway.

Because 14 free bus routes will operate from towns all over Galway, taking groups to the extended six-day Christmas Fair at the Black Box Theatre at the end of this month.

Previously, the event took place over two days, showcasing the very best of the county’s artisan producers – but due to unprecedented demand, the organisers have significantly lengthened this year’s festival. It will now run for six days, beginning on Thursday, November 27, to Tuesday, December 2.

Coaches will serve Athenry, Ballinasloe, Carna, Carraroe, Claregalway, Clifden, Cloonboo, Dunmore, Furbo, Headford, Inverin, Loughrea, Maam Cross, Moycullen, Oughterard, Oranmore, Rosmuc, Rossaveal, Spiddal and Tuam. Shoppers will be able to spend a couple of hours at the Black Box, before being bussed back to the various collection points.

Head of Enterprise at LEO Galway, Caroline McDonagh, said the addition of bus routes this year will make the popular Fair even more accessible to all age groups. “As Christmas draws closer, we all know how stressful it can sometimes be to try to navigate Galway City traffic and parking. We have such an incredible line-up at this year’s Fair and we wanted to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to come along and experience the atmosphere, shopping and festivities, without any unnecessary headaches,” she said.

LEO Galway is advising those hoping to travel on the bus routes to book their tickets as early as possible. Bookings can be made by calling LEO on 091 509 090 or online at www.localenterprise.ie/Galway/.

“We have 14 buses scheduled over the long weekend and the seats will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Whether you’re thinking of travelling alone, with friends, or as part of a larger community group, the advice is to book as soon as possible,” Caroline added.

On Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2, the bus will leave Corrib Oil, Ballinasloe at 9.30am, with an additional stop at McInerney’s SuperValu in Loughrea at 10am. It will leave from the Black Box at 1pm, dropping shoppers back to the two collection points.

On Friday, November 28, a bus will collect at Northgate Street Car Park in Athenry at 8.50am and at Lidl Oranmore at 9.20am, returning from the Black Box at 12 noon.

On Monday, December 1, a second bus will cover the same route, with a 9.20am Athenry pick-up and a 9.50am collection in Oranmore. It will leave Galway at 12.30pm.

On Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2, there will be a 9am pick-up at the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas in Dunmore, 9.25am at the Ard Rí House Hotel in Tuam, and 9.55am at the Claregalway Hotel. It will depart from the Black Box at 12.30pm.

On Friday, December 28, there will be a bus from Tesco Car Park in Headford at 11.30am, stopping at Regan’s in Cloonboo at 11.50am, and leaving Galway at 2.30pm. The route will be served again on Monday, December 1, leaving Headford at 9.30am, Cloonboo at 9.50am, and picking up again at the Black Box at 12.30pm.

The other side of the county will be well served on Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2. On both days, there will be a 9am collection at Carna Church, 9.45am at Rosmuc GAA Pitch, and 10.30am from Spiddal Bus Stop. The buses will depart the Black Box at 1.20pm

On the same days, there will be a 10.30am pick-up at Carraroe Bus Stop, 10.45am at O’Shea’s Shop in Rossaveal, 11am at Inverin Church, and 11.30am at Furbo Bus Stop, leaving Galway at  2.15pm.

In addition, another bus will collect at 9.30am on Monday and Tuesday at Clifden Bus Stop, 10.10am at Peacocks in Maam Cross, 10.30am from Oughterard Bus Stop, and 10.50am from Moycullen Bus Stop. It will leave from the Black Box at 1.30pm.

Pictured: Exhibitor…Fiona Coyne of C Beauty with Fiona.