Pilot bus service to Wild Ireland from Buncrana and Muff launched

A new connecting bus service to the Wild Ireland ildlife sanctuary near Burnfoot is being piloted for the summer.

Launched on Tuesday, and running through July and August, the service will operate from Buncrana and Muff to Wild Ireland twice a week. 

Opened in 2019 on a nine-ace site, the wildlife sanctuary for rescued animals includes brown bears, wolves, lynx and wild boar.

Wild Ireland was the subject of a TV documentary, Return Of The Wild - The Bearman Of Buncrana first aired on RTé in 2020 and  later hit Netflix.

The pilot service will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays with a  fare of €2 return for all passengers and under fives travelling free. 

READ NEXT: ‘Great honour’ for Cllr Martin McDermott to be elected Mayor of Inishowen

Killian McLaughlin, director of Wild Ireland stated: "We’re thrilled to see the launch of this pilot shuttle service connecting communities across Inishowen with Wild Ireland. There’s been a serious lack of public transport options in this area, and we’ve worked hard behind the scenes to help change that.

"This service is about breaking down barriers — making our sanctuary more accessible to local families, schools, and visitors who might not otherwise be able to reach us. It also supports the wider goal of promoting Inishowen as a connected, inclusive destination. To celebrate, we’re offering free admission to anyone who uses the shuttle on Friday, 4th July — it’s our way of saying thank you and welcoming everyone to experience what Wild Ireland has to offer."

Cathaoirleach Paul Canning with Killian McLaughlin, Wild Ireland owner and John McCarter Donegal Person of the Year, invited guests and staff, raising a glass to official launch Inishowen Shuttle Service to Wild Ireland, organised by Go Visit Inishowen. Photo: Tom Heaney, NW Presspics

Niall McCaughan, manager of Go Visit Inishowen, the tourism agency for Inishowen stated: "We are delighted that funding has been secured for this trial service to operate a bus to Wild Ireland in Inishowen. We often think that most people have their own transport but of course many locals do not, as do many visitors to the region staying locally.

"We have a great tourism offer in Inishowen, but we have challenges in relation to infrastructure and making our tourism offer more accessible to all. Wild Ireland is one of our flagship projects and as this unique attraction grows, we need to ensure that people can actually get to it. We are excited about this new service, and hopefully it can be sustained and developed in future years.”