We will have FREE buses going to the Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat 2026!
All buses will travel to Newbridge, Co. Kildare from across Ireland on Friday 11th of December and return on Sunday 13th December 2025.
To book a seat on the free bus:
- Look below to find the collection point which will work best for your location and schedule.
- Pre-register for the festival HERE, if you have not already.
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Fill out the form to request a seat HERE
- You will receive an email to confirm your place within 3 working days – your seat IS NOT reserved unless you have received this email. If you have any questions or have not received a return email please get in touch by phone on 01 675 3690 to ensure we have received it. (If you are U.18, the named legal guardian on your retreat booking will receive the confirmation email
- In the last few days coming up to the retreat keep an eye on your email and text for a final confirmation of your booking and collection times or any issues or changes in the unlikely event they are necessary – please REPLY that you have received it and understood all the details. It is very important that you let us know if you no longer need a seat as there may be people on a waitlist who need it!!
- On the day, it is essential that you have your ID ready to show the bus leader as you board ( and your signed booking form if you are u.18). We would not want to have to turn someone away! Please be punctual and patient along the journey.
IF YOU WISH TO TRAVEL ON ONE OF OUR BUSES IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU PRE-REGISTER/FOR THE RETREAT BEFORE YOU BOOK A PLACE ON THE BUS. Your place on the bus is only confirmed when you receive official confirmation email.
All buses will be led by vetted and trained Youth 2000 volunteers.
We have done our best to prioritise a couple of stops on each route which are local or regional public transport hubs so as many people as possible can avail of the free bus from their part of the country to the Christmas Retreat We have listed some of the connecting areas in brackets.
BUS BOOKINGS WILL CLOSE WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER AT 6PM
ULSTER
Route 1: Ulster/Leinster
| Time of Departure | Location |
| 14.30 | Letterkenny – Mr Chippie |
| 15.00 | Derry – Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty |
| 16.30 | Omagh – Spar Filling Station @ B 48 Roundabout off the A5 |
| 18.00 | Monaghan (Includes a 30 min break. Arrives at 17.30 and departs Monaghan at 18.00 sharp). Sam’s Diner opposite Four Seasons Hotel |
| 18.30 | Carrickmacross – South by-Pass Bus Stop |
| 20.15 (arrival) | Newbridge College |
Route 2: Ulster/ Leinster
| Time of Departure | Location |
| 15.00 | Toomebridge – Park & Ride |
| 15.30 | Belfast – Catholic Chaplaincy, Elmwood Ave |
| 16.30 | Newry – McDonald’s Car Park |
| 17.40 | Dundalk (Arrives at 17.00 for 40 min break. Departing Dundalk at 17.40 sharp) KFC Car Park |
| 19.25 | Drogheda – KFC @ Donore Road Retail Park |
| 20:40 (arrival) | Newbridge College |
Route 3: Connaught/ Leinster
| Time of Departure | Location |
| 14.30 | Sligo – McDonalds, Sligo Retail Park |
| 15.30 | Knock Forde’s Cafe Shop |
| 15.45 | Claremorris Bus Stop on Main Street (Connected to lots of public regional routes around Mayo / Connaught you can use to get here.) |
| 16.15 | Tuam N 17 Plaza |
| 16.45 | Oranmore Town Centre Bus Stop (Easy public bus connections from Galway City, Limerick, Clare you could use to get here). |
| 16.50 | Oranmore Train Station (Easy train connection Galway City, Athenry etc… you can use to get here) |
| 18.20 | The Galway Plaza -Kiltullagh (includes 50 min break – arrives 17.30, departs 18.20 sharp) |
| 18.55 | Athlone McDonald’s Dublin Road, Kilmacuagh |
| 20.30 (arrival) | Newbridge College |
Route 4: Munster/ Leinster
| Time of Departure | Location |
| 15.00 | Cork, Blackpool McDonald’s, Commons Rd, T23 Y821 |
| 17.00 | Waterford McDonald’s, Cork Road |
| 18.50 | Gorey Circle K, M11 Service Station, Y25 V8F8 (Includes 30min break – arrives at Circle K at 18.20, departs 18.50 sharp) |
| 19.50 | Carlow, McDonald’s, off M9, Rathcrogue, R93 N2X8 |
| 20.45 (arrival) | Newbridge College |
Route 5: Munster/ Leinster
| Time of Departure | Location |
| 14.30 | Tralee Manor West Shopping Centre (Public transport connections with Killarney) |
| 15.45 | Newcastle West , Bus stop opposite The Longcourt Hotel (Public transport connections with Tralee, Listowel etc) |
| 17.05 | Limerick , Castletroy Town Centre (includes 40min break. arrives at 16.25 and departing at 17.05) |
| 18.05 | Nenagh, Circle K, Limerick Road |
| 18.40 | Roscrea, Circle K, Parkmore Heights |
| 19.30 | Portlaoise, Applegreen, Dublin Road |
| 20.20 (arrival) | Newbridge College |