Despite plunging temperatures, frosty footpaths and a snowy forecast in some parts of the country this week, we are happy to confirm that spring has indeed arrived!  Although it may feel more like mid-December, the calendar begs to differ and it’s time to bid adieu to what many consider to be the most depressing month of the year!  But, while the start of the year may have been gloomy for many, if you were one of the countless happy couples who became engaged over the festive period, January was just the beginning of an extended celebration as preparations for the big day get underway! As Christmas and New Years engagements continue to increase in popularity, couples up and down the country have been celebrating their impending nuptials in January.  And ladies, if he didn’t pop the question over the New Year, don’t despair just yet! Tradition dictates that on the 29th February in a Leap Year a woman can ask a man to marry her, so now is the time to start plotting your proposal!  Of course, such a break from tradition is not everyone’s cup of tea, but some may view it as a golden opportunity that won’t come around for another four years, so you’ve got 26 days left to plan the surprise of his life ;)  Although planning your big day is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times of your life, it can also be one of the most expensive.  Here at Budget Bus, we offer affordable Dublin coach hire to get your guests from A to B in comfort and style without breaking the bank!  We’ve got a fleet of 40 coaches and minibuses for hire ranging in size from 16-49 seats, so we can cater for groups of any size.  For your no-obligation wedding bus hire quotation, simply call us on 01-8227265. Alternatively, email hello@budgetbus.ie or fill out a contact form and we do solemnly swear to get back to you asap!

Although it may seem a little early to be talking all things tinsel, here at Budget Bus we are firm believers in planning ahead!  So, with just over 9 weeks to go until Christmas is upon us, if you’re planning your office Christmas party this year now is the time to start booking your venue, accommodation and, of course, coach hire!  As always, Budget Bus offers superb low rates on coach hire and minibus hire in Dublin and, with 45 deluxe coaches, buses and mini buses available for hire, we can cater for groups of every size.  We provide quality, low cost coach hire to thousands of corporate groups, schools, universities, wedding parties and sports groups every year so you can rest assured you’re dealing with the experts in low cost Dublin bus hire. To get a no-obligation quotation for your Christmas party coach hire today, simply call us on 01-8227265, email hello@budgetbus.ie or fill out a contact form and we’ll get right back to you.  Ho, ho, ho!

Is it just us, or is there a serious chill in the air? As back to school weather kicks in and our alarm clocks are set earlier to beat the morning school rush, here at Budget Bus we’re waving a forlorn farewell to the long summer days that we’ve grown so fond of. There’s no mistaking the fact that the days are getting colder and darker, so it’s time to dust off those winter coats and tights folks! But it’s not all doom and gloom - after all, the colder weather gives us an excuse to scoff hearty winter food, sip hot port by the fire and, of course, exchange gifts with our loved ones as the festive season kicks in. And, although we may only be into our second week back to school, here at Budget Bus we’ve got lots of exciting things planned for the school year ahead. Fresh on the back of our successful summer school tour packages, we’re planning some exciting new tours which will be sure to keep the kids entertained and educated in equal measures! We’re also continuing to run our popular Croke Park and Stroll ‘n’ Bowl packages, so if you didn’t get the chance to enjoy these tours last year, or if you enjoyed them so much you simply have to go again, there’s never been a better time to book! And, as always, if you’re looking for excellent value coach hire or minibus hire for your school group, we offer 40 coaches and mini buses for hire in Dublin. Fill out a contact form, email hello@budgetbus.ie or call 01-8227265 for a quick quotation today. We’ll be adding new school tours very soon, so don’t forget to check the website or like us on Facebook for regular Budget Bus updates!  

As the world was greeted this morning with yet more images of burning buildings, looting and mindless violence in London, initial reactions of shock and incredulity are beginning to make way for anger and defiance as the big clean up begins. The riots that have taken place in the UK over the past three nights are nothing short of inexcusable. Perpetrated by yobs and exacerbated by modern day social media, the London riots have already caused damage in the tens of millions of pounds. Fortunately, it is the same social media which is today being used to spread the clean up message and thousands of Twitter users, including high profile celebrities such as Wayne Rooney, Jessie J and Piers Morgan, have taken to the micro blogging site to condemn the violence. Here at Budget Bus, we would like to extend our best wishes to any friends and colleagues who have been affected by the three days of rioting, which we hope will not continue into the week. If you’re in London, find out how you can join the clean up here!

As summer rolls on and the temperature soars (by Ireland’s standards anyway!), there’s never been a better time to get outdoorsy.  For the more active amongst us, the choices are endless. Whether you’re into sailing and surfing, hill walking and horse riding or climbing and camping, there’s no better place to enjoy an exciting activity break than here on our fair shores.  But, if the mere thought of spending a weekend climbing a mountain makes you break out into a sweat, fear not!  For those of us who would rather enjoy the great outdoors as a spectator, a horsey break is just the job.  All year round, Ireland is awash with equestrian festivals that enjoy a uniquely Irish flavour and what better time to enjoy all the thrills, spills and sartorial frills than at a summer race meeting?  From 25th July, the inimitable Galway Races kicks into life and festivities continue right up until the 31st July, while the Listowel Races will welcome visitors from all over Ireland and beyond from 11th to 17th September. So whether you fancy a flutter or you'd like to strut your stuff on Ladies Day, there’s fun to be had by all! If you’d rather stay closer to home, get your glad rags on for this year’s Dublin Horse Show, which takes place in the RDS from August 3rd to 7th. This Dublin institution is a celebration of Ireland's affinity with all things equestrian and showcases the best showjumping talent from all over the world. So, why not gather a group of friends and plan your outdoorsy trip today! And wherever you decide to go, why not let Budget Bus take the hassle out of getting there! We have 50 deluxe minibuses and coaches for hire ranging in size from 16-53 seats. Call us on 01-8227265 to book your Dublin coach hire today. Alternatively you can email hello@budgetbus.ie or fill out a contact form and we’ll get right back to you. 

With sales of wellies, two-man tents and waterproofs skyrocketing all over the country, it’s clear that festival season has made a welcome return! While we won’t hold our breath for this wet spell to end anytime this week, here at Budget Bus we have our fingers and toes crossed that the sun will come out in time for Oxegen 2011. The monster festival, voted Europe’s best, takes place this year in Punchestown from 8-10 July and once again the line up does not disappoint. This year, revellers will be treated to performances from rock royalty, including the Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and many, many more world-class acts. Hail, rain or shine, festival fans all over the country will descend upon Oxegen this year, so if you haven’t got your ticket to summer’s hottest festival yet, snap one up here today! And, as soon as you’ve got your ticket sorted, it’s time to think about how you’re going to get there. If you’re planning on travelling to the festival as part of a group, why not think about hiring a coach or a minibus with Budget Bus? We offer 40 buses and minibuses for hire, ranging in size from 16-53 seats, so we have a vehicle to suit every group size. Don’t forget, coaches get priority parking at Oxegen, so you don’t have to worry about trekking for miles laden with bags and tents – we’ll drop you close to the entrance!  To book your coach hire for Oxegen today, simply call us on 01-8227265, fill out a contact form or email hello@budgetbus.ie.    

We’re delighted to announce the launch of a brand new tour package for summer camps across Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Louth and Kildare! From July 8-12, Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo in association with HB Hazelbrook Farm is coming to Ireland and we’re calling on all summer camp organisers to bring their gang along to the RDS and see the show with a very special Budget Bus package! Erth - one of Australia’s best-loved and most innovative theatre companies - takes kids aged 4-400 on an extraordinary prehistoric journey with an incredible cast of dinosaurs that inhabited our world millions of years ago. Children can get up close and personal with these amazingly life-like creatures during this fun-filled show. What makes the show truly special is the interactive nature of the production. Kids are invited to gather around the stage where every effort is made to let them touch, feed and learn about these wonderful creatures. Children of all ages are allowed hands-on access to the dinosaurs and may even become part of the drama if one of the dinosaurs takes a fancy to them! The show takes place in Dublin’s RDS from 8-12 July and our tour package is open to groups from Dublin, Meath, Louth, Wicklow and Kildare. €23 per person (Dublin) and €25 per person (Meath, Louth, Wicklow, Kildare) includes deluxe coach transfer from your school/camp to RDS, where you’ll be greeted by Dale Treadwell of TV’s ‘Naturally Wild’ on arrival, admission to Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo and return coach transfer to your school/camp after the show. Read more about the tour here and email hello@budgetbus.ie or call us on 01-8227265 to book your Dinosaur Petting Zoo tour today! And don't forget, if you’re looking for discount Dublin coach hire or minibus hire for festivals, trips or events this summer, simply fill out a contact form for your budget bus hire quotation today! 

Love them or hate them, this week there was no getting away from them! Whether you’re an avid royal watcher or you quite frankly couldn’t give a monkey’s, you would have been hard pressed to find a television channel today that wasn’t covering the “wedding of the century”. Royal fever has gripped the UK over the last few weeks, culminating in the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton today at Westminster Abbey. Millions of well-wishers lined the streets of London to cheer on the happy couple and, whatever your feelings on the wedding, there’s no denying that the celebratory atmosphere is somewhat infectious! Although here in Ireland we’re not exactly dancing on the streets, we do think it’s always nice to have something to celebrate. And, with the first official day of summer now within touching distance, along with the three-day weekend ahead, there’s never been a better reason to break out the bubbly (any excuse, eh!). While we may not be officially celebrating the royal nuptials, we’ve still got plenty to look forward to, as festival season makes a welcome comeback this weekend. For music lovers, there’s the Rhythm & Roots festival in Kilkenny or the Dublin City Soul Festival later next month. Both are a must for fans of country, blues and soul. And, if you’re up for a laugh, then join the droves of comedy lovers that descend upon the Marble City every June Bank Holiday weekend. The Cat Laughs festival attracts some of the world’s best comedians and is not to be missed! Finally, for the foodies amongst us the Taste of Dublin festival in June offers the best of Dublin’s fine dining all in one place. Enjoy a glass of champagne as you sample the fare of some of the capital’s best eateries. Simply delicious! If you’re travelling to any of the fantastic food, music, literary or arts festivals taking place all over Ireland in the next few weeks, why not give us a call for discount coach hire in Dublin? We’ve got 40 deluxe coaches and minibuses for hire in Dublin at low rates, so fill out a contact form or call us on 01-8227265 for your Dublin coach hire quotation today! 

With the sun shining brightly and the unseasonably high temperatures we’ve been enjoying of late, it’s not surprising that here at Budget Bus we’re starting to plan our summer already! With just a few short weeks until summer officially begins, now is the time to get organising your well deserved break! Whether you’re planning a foreign getaway this year or you’d prefer to avail of some of the fantastic offers closer to home, now is the time to start bargain hunting for your 2011 summer trip. Here at Budget Bus, we love a good deal, so we’ll be scouring the web for the best bargains on trips abroad. If you’re looking for guaranteed sun in foreign climes, we suggest unpackaging your holiday. Although there’s a lot to be said for the convenience and often good value of the traditional packaged holiday, if you have the time (and patience!) to research your flights, transfers and accommodation separately, you may just find that your perseverance will translate into serious cash savings! And, if 2011 doesn’t see you hotfooting it to the airport to hop on the first Med-bound plane, all is not lost! Although Ireland has long had a reputation for being more than a little pricey, the past few years have seen hotels and restaurants dramatically lowering their rates, which is of course excellent news for those of us who choose to stay put this summer! So, why not take a trip to the West with your nearest and dearest and experience the best of Irish hospitality, or think about renting a cottage with your friends for a long weekend up North? For the more adventurous, hiring a camper van or even packing up a tent and going wherever the wind takes you is a great option (just make sure that tent is waterproof!).  Whatever your plans for summer 2011, don’t forget to contact Budget Bus for your coach hire! If you’re planning on taking a trip with your friends in Ireland, the UK or mainland Europe, travelling by coach is one of the most comfortable and cost effective options. We also offer great rates on airport transfers for groups and we have high quality coaches ranging in size from 16 to 49 seats. Contact Budget Bus for your Dublin bus hire and minibus hire on 01-8227265, fill out a contact form or email hello@budgetbus.ie and we will get right back to you!   

The sun is shining, the evenings are getting longer and, to top it all off, we’ve got Paddy’s Day to look forward to on Thursday (and a 4-day week)!  Okay, so it’s not quite shorts and sandals weather yet, but here at Budget Bus we’re just full of the joys of spring and, quite frankly, we’re even more excited by the prospect of a long hot summer (well, one can but dream)!  For us, St. Patrick’s Day seems to mark the true shift from the long dreary days and nights of winter, and the bright weather we’ve been enjoying for the last few weeks has really helped to put a spring (sorry) in our steps! This year, we’re going to celebrate our Irish heritage with gusto and, to help us along, there are plenty of gigs, films, parades and parties taking place across the capital in the next few days. Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival kicks off tomorrow and runs until 20th March, so why not get involved in the festivities this year and enjoy some traditional Irish ceoil, cultúir agus craic (that’s music, culture and fun to any non-Irish speakers!) in the city centre. There’s  something for everyone, so check out the full event line up here! And, of course, as the weather continues to brighten, now is the time to start planning your summer. So, whether you’re contemplating a trip to one of Ireland’s music or sports festivals this summer or you’re organising an Irish holiday with your friends and family, don’t forget to contact Budget Bus for your discount coach hire.  We are Dublin’s bus hire specialists, so if you’re looking for low cost coach hire or minibus hire in Dublin that won’t break the bank, give us a call on 01-8227265, email hello@budgetbus.ie or fill out a contact form today and we’ll get right back to you.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The King Tut exhibition in Dublin opens in just 4 days and we’re delighted to offer you an excellent value tour of this fascinating display for your school group! The exhibition opens its doors to Irish visitors for the very first time from 17^th February, so don’t miss your chance to book your school tour to this amazing attraction. Over 1,700,000 visitors all over the world have already visited the spectacular reconstruction of the Pharaoh’s tomb and its treasures and we are now offering a special school tour package for just €12 per person, which includes deluxe coach travel from your school to the exhibition in the RDS, a guided tour of the mysterious world of Egypt at the King Tut exhibition and return coach transfer to your school. The King Tut exhibition is open for a strictly limited run, so don’t miss your chance to visit the display of this international archaeological sensation! Read more about the tour here and email schooltours@budgetbus.ie or call us on 01-8227265 to book your King Tut tour today. And don't forget, if you’re looking for budget coach hire for your school tour or outing, just fill out a contact form for your coach or minibus hire quotation and we’ll get right back to you! 

In a mystery that has baffled experts across the country and beyond, the red squirrel is back less than a decade after it was declared extinct in Westmeath. Local wildlife ranger Andrea Webb confirmed that there have been several reported sightings of the elusive creatures, which had previously been declared extinct. The red squirrel has been found in Ireland since before the last ice age, but became extinct a number of times. One of the local reported sightings of a red squirrel was made by Belvedere House Gardens and Park, a 160 acre lakeside attraction steeped in history, nature, horticulture, exploration, architecture, restoration and drama. This year, Budget Bus are offering a fantastic value school tour programme combining Belvedere House & Gardens in the morning, followed by a trip to the Rock ‘n’ Bowl Leisure Centre in Mullingar in the afternoon. Students will have the opportunity to explore the gardens (and with a bit of luck spot a red squirrel!) in the morning and round off the tour in the afternoon with a fun bowling trip! The Stroll ‘n’ Bowl tour costs just €18 per student and includes pick up from your school in one of our deluxe coaches, entrance into Belvedere House & Gardens in the morning and Rock ‘n’ Bowl in the afternoon, and return coach transfer to your school!  Click here for more details about this fantastic tour, call us on 01-8227265 or email schooltours@budgetbus.ie to book today! And, as always, if you’re looking for discount Dublin coach hire for your school or sports group, contact us for a quotation today!  We offer 40 coaches to suit groups of all size including 16 seaters, 35 seaters and 49 seaters.  So whether you’re looking for minibus hire in Dublin for a small group or you need a large school bus for hire, we have got the right vehicle for you! 

Great news folks: our fantastic value school tour packages are back! Following the success of last year’s Titanic tour, we’re bringing you even more excellent value school tour packages this year! This week, we have launched a discount school tour package in conjunction with the GAA Museum at Croke Park. A visit to this museum is a must and students will learn about the GAA’s vast contribution to Irish sporting, cultural and social life through a captivating collection of artifacts. The Gaelic Athletic Association has a truly unique heritage, and this educational tour typically takes two hours and includes an exciting behind-the-scenes guided tour of the stadium, a short film, a chance to explore the exhibits in the newly refurbished GAA Museum and a visit to the interactive games area. Catering is also available by advance booking, or your group can bring lunch and enjoy it in one of our eating areas before or after their tour. We are now offering a rate of just €10 per person, which includes pick up from your school in one of our deluxe coaches, entrance to the museum and return coach transfer to your school after the tour. This offer will run until the end of March 2011. From April 2011 onwards the offer will be available for €12 per student.  This offer is available to schools in the Dublin and Meath areas. Click here to view full details of the tour, call us on 01-8227265 or email schooltours@budgetbus.ie to book your Budget Bus school tour package today! And, don't forget, we also offer low cost coach hire and minibus hire to all schools for tours, sports meets and all outings so contact us for your school bus hire quotation today!

It’s the dawn of a new year and here at Budget Bus we would like to wish our customers all the very best for 2011! If, like most of us over the festive period, you’ve piled on a few pounds whilst losing weight from your wallet at an alarming rate, why not make spending less your new year’s resolution for 2011? Yes folks, this year frugality is the new black!  And, to help you on your way, here are our top five money saving tips.  Put them into practice and you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.

eBay

There’s truth in the old adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, so why not go home, purge your wardrobe of anything you won’t wear and your home of anything you won’t use, and sell to someone who will! eBay provides us with a wonderful way to clear our lives of clutter and earn cash doing so, so start selling!

Stop smoking

Despite the obvious benefit of dramatically improving your health, any ex-smoker worth their salt will also tell you that quitting the weed will strengthen your bank balance.  Think about it; even if you’re a “part time smoker” who only puffs on 20 a week, you’ll save nearly €500 in a year.  And, if you’re on 20 a day, you’ll enjoy a massive saving of €3,000 per year.  It’s a no brainer really. 

Make your own lunch

If it sounds so simple, that’s because it is.  All it takes is a little bit of forward planning and your pocket will reap the benefits.   Rather than running to the shop for a ready meal every time you feel peckish, do a weekly shop and bring a packed lunch to work with you every day.  You’ll save hundreds every year and, with the added benefit of knowing exactly what’s going into your sandwich, you might lose a few pounds in the process!

Get outdoors

Why not consider giving up your gym membership in 2011 and enjoy the great outdoors instead?  Go walking with a friend, have a jog on the beach or cycle to work every day. Pack in your gym membership, get some fresh air and save hundreds this year! 

Secret Santa 2011

If, like many of us, your credit card took a battering this Christmas buying gifts for parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and everything in between, consider Secret Santa for 2011.  Not only does it reduce the stress of buying dozens of presents for friends and family, but buying a present with a set budget for just one person will keep the debt collectors from knocking on your door next Christmas. 

And of course, let’s not forget that hiring a coach with Budget Bus in 2011 is another sure-fire way to save you money!  We are committed to keeping our prices low, so don’t forget to contact us for all your Dublin coach hire and minibus hire in 2011. We are offering 2010 prices on coach hire for schools, sports groups, weddings, events and corporate travel, so call us on 01-8227265 or email hello@budgetbus.ie for your low cost Dublin bus hire quotation. 

In a week that has seen sub zero temperatures wreak havoc on the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers who are making their way home for Christmas, we have our fingers and toes crossed that the big thaw will set in soon. Unseasonably cold conditions have gripped the country for the last month and the bitter weather is showing no signs of loosening its icy grip as we continue to shiver our way through December! However, despite lows of -16 degrees being recorded in some parts of the country last night, it’s not looking likely that we’ll see a white Christmas this year, as forecasts predict a rise in temperature on Christmas Day. This news offers little consolation to the thousands of passengers who are now stranded at airports all over the UK, Ireland and Europe. The timing couldn’t be worse for this latest cold snap but with a bit of luck (and a lot of waiting), all of those affected will make it home safely in time for the holiday. Here at Budget Bus, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our customers a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Sincere thanks for all of your custom in 2010 and don’t forget to contact us for coach hire and minibus hire for any concerts, weddings, school trips, sports outings or corporate events that you have planned in 2011 :)

Although I was tempted to write a post about the dreaded budget, I have opted to spare you all the depression of worrying about tax hikes and welfare cuts when we have only 17 days to go to Christmas. Instead, my friends, I am continuing my blog theme of optimism and today I would like to divert your attention from the doom and gloom to the 2011 Dublin New Year Festival! Let's face it folks, 2010 was a bit of a write-off in economic terms, so we can only hope that things will get a bit better in 2011 (well they can't really get any worse, can they?!). So, with that in mind, I am all for ringing in the New Year with smiles on our faces and a glass of Lidl's best bubbly in our hands. The Dublin New Year Festival looks like it's going to become an annual event (think Hogmanay in Scotland or the fireworks in Sydney... well, we might as well aim high!). Among the major events announced for the three day 2010/2011 programme are performances from world renowned street performers Jack Wise, Grant Goldie, Jack Flash and Pete Dobbing. Also featuring will be 'Solas', a family event at Dublin Castle which will be transformed into a wonderland of light and illumination. The Dublin Gospel Choir will also be performing a very special choral recital at the historic setting of Christ Church Cathedral and other events planned for the city include fun fairs, family circus workshops and 'New Year Live' at the Guinness Storehouse, with four floors of eclectic entertainment and bucketloads of Irish hospitality. So, let's all raise a glass in Dublin this New Years Eve and look towards 2011 with a dash of hope! And, as always, if you're looking for discount Dublin coach hire or minibus hire to take you and your friends into the city for this year's festivities and home again afterwards (have you ever attempted to get a taxi in Dublin on New Year's Eve? Not pleasant, folks!) then Budget Bus is the only place you need to contact! Call us today on 01-8227265 or email hello@budgetbus.ie for your low cost bus hire quotation!

The roars of the Celtic Tiger are now a distant memory and judging by the events of the last week, it will be quite a while before our country gets back on its feet.  It’s been an unsettling week for everyone and a week which has seen Ireland hit with more doom and gloom than you could shake a stick at. So, to take your minds off all the talk of financial ruin, we’ve compiled a list of things to do over the next month that will be sure to cheer you up!

Taste of Christmas  

This 3-day Christmas festival is taking place in the Convention Centre Dublin from 26-28 November and promises five floors of festivities, combining festive style, gourmet indulgence, dazzling design and exclusive gift shopping.  Granted, with tickets starting at €19 per person, it’s not the cheapest, but we think it will be a great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

Docklands Christmas Market

The fifth annual Docklands Christmas Market will be kicking off on December 3rd this year, running all the way up until December 22nd. Visit this market and soak up that magical festive feeling, where you can visit brightly decorated wooden huts and chalets selling an array of unique Christmas gifts. Enjoy the fresh aroma of roasted nuts & raisins and the delicious scent of lit beeswax candles as you sip a warming glass of mulled wine. Best of all, this Christmas Market is free to attend, so don’t miss it! 

12 Pubs of Christmas

Now's the time to gather up a group of your best mates and start planning your route for this year’s 12 Pubs of Christmas! The 12 Pubs Crawl is always something to look forward to over the festive season and although the pubs you choose to visit are entirely up to you, you can get some inspiration for your route here. If you want to remain standing by the end of the crawl, we suggest sticking to halves! And remember, ridiculous Christmas jumpers (think Mark Darcey in Bridget Jones Diary) are a must! 

Don’t forget if you’re looking for low cost Dublin coach hire and mini bus hire to take you from pub to party and home again over the festive season, look no further than Budget Bus.  We know that now, more than ever, times are tight for many, so we offer discounted bus hire and minibus hire in Dublin without compromising on quality.  Fill out a contact form, email hello@budgetbus.ie or phone 01-8227265 today for your low cost coach hire quotation! 

According to a survey of iPhone users, the average female Brit looks most like Charlotte Church and the average male is akin to Peter Kay.  The Celebalike app for iPhone measures your facial features and creates a celebrity comparison based on your proportions. This app delivers compliments and insults in equal measures. On one hand, you’re revelling in the comparisons to serious hotness. Surely if this app says you look like Heidi Klum or Angelina Jolie, who are you to argue? On the other, and considerably more depressing, hand, comparisons to Pete Burns and Jackie Stallone could leave you running for the hills with a paper bag over your head. So, my verdict on this is app is... epic fail!  Of course, if you’re bored on the train or delayed in the airport, there are worse ways you could while away a few minutes but, for anyone who a) already has an ego the size of a small country or b) is easily offended, give this one a miss. If you have already taken the plunge with this app and experienced less than favourable results, why not cheer yourself up with a day of pampering? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that City Deal is the amazing website that delivers massive discounts straight to your inbox every day. Today, you can get a €40 beauty treatment for just €14 at the Retreat Beauty Salon.  Snap it up here! And lest you forget, if you’re looking for discount coach hire, Budget Bus is the only place you need to call so don’t forget to contact us for all your coach and minibus hire quotations!

With the festive season just around the corner and the recession still in full swing, Christmas has come early for Dublin’s Jervis Shopping Centre in the last few weeks. Staff and shoppers alike will be delighted with the addition of two new retail giants to the centre’s portfolio, with UK high street fashion retailer New Look opening its largest store in the world at the centre on 5th November. A reported 120 jobs have been created as the store opens its doors and Girls Aloud beauty Kimberly Walsh was there on the day to add a bit of glamour to proceedings. And, the Jervis Centre again welcomes a newbie to the club today with the launch of US fashion titan Forever 21!  This is the brand’s first foray into the European market and will generate no less than 250 new jobs. The launch of both stores is great news for jobseekers and fashion fanatics alike, while bargain hunters will no doubt be delighted with the very attractive price tags, so snap up your festive party frocks today! A year of doom and gloom it may have been, but there are always bargains to be found so Christmas shopping doesn’t need to be too stressful. When you’ve finished raiding the Jervis Centre’s newcomers for affordable trends, try picking up a few festive finds at Kildare Village or bag a bargain north of the border in The Outlet. And, if you’re planning a Christmas shopping trip with a few of your friends, why not leave the car at home and consider minibus hire with Budget Bus?  Make a day of it and gather a few of your BFFs for a day out, enjoy a leisurely lunch (and perhaps a drink or two!) and let us worry about driving. Call us today or email hello@budgetbus.ie for your Dublin coach hire quotation today!  

Doesn’t Christmas seem to start earlier and earlier every year?  Between Christmas party ads on the radio when we’re in the middle of a heat wave and Brown Thomas launching their festive shop halfway through August, it’s beginning to border on the ridiculous! London’s Christmas lights were last night switched on by superstar Rihanna in front of hordes of adoring fans, but here in Dublin we’re leaving it a bit later, with the official lighting-up ceremony penciled in for 21st November.  Whether you’re a fan of the early Christmas festivities or not, there’s no doubt that they are difficult to escape!  And, as the strains of “Fairytale of New York” make their way on to the airwaves, the notorious office Christmas party is also fast approaching.  For some, it’s a time to enjoy a drink and some down time with colleagues.  But for others, the Christmas party will result in memory loss, verbal diahorrea and a level of mortification that will not fade until at least mid January!  You can’t beat an office party for a good laugh (even if it is at the expense of your inebriated colleagues), but here at Budget Bus we think it’s all a bit of harmless fun as long as you don’t tell your boss what you really think of them or, worse, follow them around with a sprig of mistletoe and your best “come hither” smile!  Whether you’re planning your office party in one of Dublin’s top hotels or venturing further afield with a trip out of the capital, don’t forget to call Budget Bus for your low cost coach hire and minibus hire. We promise to pick you up in one of our luxury coaches or mini buses and get you home safe and sound after the party ends.  We just can’t promise to help with your sore head the next morning!  Call us today on 01 8227265 for the best Dublin bus hire rates or email hello@budgetbus.ie for a quick quotation. 

Look no further than Budget Bus for your low cost Dublin coach hire and mini bus hire!  We offer low rates for bus and minibus hire for schools & universities, sports groups, corporate travel, weddings parties and events.  Not only that, but we always provide top quality coaches for hire, ranging in size from 16-50 seats.  All of our coaches have air conditioning, seat belts and PA system as standard and most coaches have WC and DVD.  So, if you’re planning your office Christmas party, school tour, business trip or wedding contact us today for the lowest coach hire rates. Put simply, you will not find a better coach hire deal in Dublin!  Email hello@budgetbus.ie, fill out a contact form or simply call 01-8227265 for your coach hire quotation today!

There’s an exciting evening ahead for all the Man United fans out there, as Dublin’s brand new Aviva Stadium plays host to the Premier League stars with a kick-off against Airtricity League XI tonight. Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Javier Hernandez are among the players to have been confirmed for tonight’s game, with Waterford native John O’Shea looking likely to captain the squad. This historic encounter is the first soccer clash at the brand new stadium and fans look set to flock to the ground for this evening’s 7.45 KO. The launch of the new Aviva stadium is great news for pubs, hotels and restaurants in Dublin 4, with a stadium seating capacity of 50,000 translating into a fair few pre and post match pints! And, no rest for the publicans this week, as another Dublin 4 sporting event takes place today. That’s right folks; the five-day Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show has opened this morning at the RDS, Ballsbridge. This annual international event is an absolute must for equine enthusiasts, so get your glad rags on and try your luck at Ladies Day tomorrow, or drop in on Friday to watch top international show jumpers compete at the Nations Cup competition. If you haven’t managed to nab yourself tickets for tonight’s game in Aviva, you’ve got a week to beg, steal or borrow your way into the grounds for Ireland’s inaugural game at the stadium against Argentina. Tickets are still available for the 11 August clash, so why not make an evening of it and gather a few friends to watch the friendly against Carlos Bilardo's side?  Grab a bite to eat and a few pints in one of the local pubs and let Budget Bus be the Designated Dessie! Fill out a contact form or give us a call us today for the best Dublin coach hire rates!

With the last bank holiday of the summer coming up this weekend (I know, very depressing), we’re determined to make the most of the three day break come hail, rain or shine! The choices are endless really. You could kick off your shoes, put the feet up and enjoy the mini-break from the comfort of your own sofa (back to back episodes of The Wire, anyone?), enjoy a few bevvies in the local with your nearest and dearest or indulge in a spot of retail therapy if you’ve got the bottle to brave the Dundrum Centre crowds on a Saturday. Although all of these options sound tempting, we’re going to make the most of the banker and leave the big smoke behind for a few days at one of the many festivals taking place across Ireland. There are literally dozens to choose from, so whether you’re after a family day out, a trip to the races or a feast of music and art, you’ll definitely find something to whet your appetite! 

Here’s our pick of the bunch:

Castlepalooza: 31 July – 1 August

Killarney Summerfest: 16 July – 1 August

The 3 Irish Open Killarney: 19 July – 1 August

Waterford Spraoi Festival: 30 July – 1 August

Ballyshannon Folk Festival: 30 July – 1 August

For a full list of festivals and events taking place across our fair isle this weekend, point your mouse in this direction. And, if you’re looking for great value travel to your chosen festival, then Budget Bus is your only man! We’ve got budget coach hire and mini bus hire in Dublin so fill out a contact form, email hello@budgetbus.ie or call 01-8227265 for your budget coach hire quotation today!

So, the beautiful game’s biggest competition has finally reached its conclusion, with jubilant scenes across Spain as the team enjoyed a hero’s welcome in Madrid following their victory over The Netherlands on Sunday night. It’s been an exciting competition, with lots of thrills, spills and a nice dollop of controversy to top it all off. Although it will be hard to bid a fond farewell to the endless evenings of football (anyone sensing the sarcasm?), for me, parting with Paul the Octopus will be the hardest part of it all. Was anyone else developing a worrying affection for the instinctive invertebrate? Didn’t you all watch in amazement as he correctly predicted no less than eight World Cup match results? And aren’t you all as upset as I am to hear that his spokesperson has announced his retirement after an unbeaten record that has baffled us all? Although it’s good to see Paul go out in a blaze of glory, I frankly had high hopes for his future career as a tipster and it is with great disappointment that I say goodbye to my tentacled friend. I’ll really miss that guy. However, we must now put the World Cup behind us for another four years and look ahead to the next sporting events on this summer’s calendar! Galway Races, anyone? Although we won’t have Paul to give us a helping hand with the winners (sob!), I’m going to muddle along without him and enjoy one of the best racing festivals in Ireland from 28-30 August and you'll also find me trying my luck at this year’s Listowel Races! Punters will be travelling to Kerry to enjoy this festival from 12-18 September and it might just be our last chance to soak up that festival feeling before we have to bid our summer adieu, so let’s make the most of it! Why not get a group of your mates together and consider coach hire or minibus hire with Budget Bus? It’s a long ol’ drive from Dublin to Galway or Kerry, so let someone else worry about navigating those bends! If you’ve got a small group, we’ve got 16 seater minibuses to rent or if you’re one of those popular types with 800 friends on Facebook, we’ve got lots of 49 seater coaches to cater for larger groups! If you’d like a quote for coach hire, simply fill out a contact form, email hello@budgetbus.ie or just call us on 01-8227265 and we’ll get right back to you.

World famous golfers, well-known celebrities and prominent businessmen have all teamed up this week for a charity golf tournament hosted by Irish billionaire JP McManus. The Pro-Am, which teed off at Adare Manor earlier this week was founded in 1990 and has raised a massive 55 million Euro for charity since its inception! The Pro-Am always attracts the crème de la crème of the rich and famous, and this year is no exception, as legendary golfer Tiger Woods makes his first public appearance outside the United States since his spectacular fall from grace last December.  Whatever your thoughts on the disgraced golfer, there’s no denying that his success in the sport is unrivalled. This success, however, has been eclipsed by the scandal surrounding his personal life and Tiger growled his way through a press conference earlier in the week, as he tersely batted away probing questions about his private life and rumoured $100 million divorce from estranged wife Elin. The backlash from his repeated infidelities is proving to be an expensive business for the golfing star, with a costly divorce and millions of dollars in lost endorsement deals putting a significant dent in Woods’ enormous fortune. Not only that, but it appears that personal pressures may be taking their toll on Tiger’s game, as he has failed to show a return to the form of his glory days in the months following his comeback. Despite his apparent fall from public favour, however, Tiger has certainly been shown a warm welcome here in Ireland as a massive 20,000 supporters lined the course five-deep to watch his every shot at Adare Manor Golf Club earlier this week.  At Budget Bus, we think that there’s life in the big cat yet! As the dust settles and the scandal becomes yesterday’s news, we think everyone will see a re-emergence of the focused, driven Tiger that we all once knew and loved! For those of you who fancy yourselves as a bit of a Tiger in the making, why not plan a golfing trip with your mates? Some of the world’s best golf courses are right on your doorstep here in Ireland, so pack up your clubs and hop on one of our purpose designed Mercedes Euro LX golf coaches. We’ll take you to the golf course (or courses) of your choice and get you back home again in the comfort of one of our luxury minibuses. So, if you’d like to hire a coach with us for your golfing trip, just fill out a contact form or call us on 01-8227265! 

If reports that have surfaced this week are to be understood, Ireland has finally moved out of recession and good times lay ahead! The reality is a little less rosy. While the figures do indeed point to a move away from the current downturn, with a 2.7% growth in the economy, we’re not exactly running out of the woods with wallets bursting at the seams just yet. Although this growth is undoubtedly welcome news to all and sundry, the figures for unemployment in this country remain alarmingly high and it will take time for the general public to feel the effects of any growth as we are still reeling from the recession that has knocked us sideways over the last couple of years. Here at Budget Bus HQ, we are thrilled with the news of our baby steps towards economic recovery. If there’s one good thing to be said about the recession though, it’s the emergence of better deals for consumers. Rip off Ireland is dead and buried now as companies everywhere are lowering their prices to make goods and services more affordable to the Irish public. This is exactly what we’ve done at Budget Bus with our low cost coach hire service in Dublin. We know that everybody is feeling the pinch these days, so we’re doing what we can to offer you coach hire and mini bus hire without the hefty price tag. With Oxegen just around the corner now, we’re offering cheap minibus and coach hire for your festival group, so get in touch with us today for our best rates. You know you want to!  

Well, we’re one week in to the World Cup and despite Ireland’s failure to qualify at the hands of Les Bleus, we’re still getting into the spirit of things! Irish fans all over the country are feeling more than a little smug today, as France got their just desserts last night in a crashing 2-0 defeat against Mexico. Whatever your opinion on the French and their controversial World Cup qualification, there’s no denying that Mexico were the better team last night and it’s now a near certainty that we’ll be saying Au Revoir to France and donning our sombreros as we cheer our new favourite country into the next round! Here at Budget Bus, we think the first week of games was a little slow and teams were playing it safe, but the pace certainly seems to be picking up as the competition progresses. Tonight sees England face Algeria and Capello’s men will definitely need to up their game following their underwhelming performance against the USA last week. With another three weeks of World Cup action to go, we’re looking forward to seeing some magic football from some of the best teams on the planet, so vuvuzelas at the ready folks! Don’t forget, if you’re looking for low cost coach hire for your sports club or team, contact Budget Bus for your quotation today! 

Yesterday might have been a bit of a washout in Dublin, but here at Budget Bus we’re feeling more than a little summery! Festival fever has well and truly set in and, with so many brilliant events to look forward to this summer, there’s really no need to leave the country this year! Ireland plays host to some of Europe’s biggest and best music festivals, not least the mammoth Oxegen Festival, which kicks off in Punchestown from 8-11 July. Revellers are in for a treat this year, as some of the world’s biggest artists hit the stage. For those of you seeking something a little different, Ireland has some amazing boutique festivals, including the Sea Sessions in Donegal which takes place from 25-27 June. Finally, Electric Picnic, which is arguably one of the best festivals on the circuit, gets underway on 3^rd September. This three day extravaganza of music, food, comedy and drama is a real favourite and we’re counting down the days, so pack your willies and get involved this year! If you’re looking for a stress-free way to travel to your chosen festival, why not consider coach hire or mini bus hire with Budget Bus? We’ve got coaches ranging in size from 16-49 seats, so we can cater for groups of any size. Sit back, relax and enjoy the trip with your mates without the stress of driving!