15 Bus Route Dublin: Timetable, Stops, Route Map (2025)

Anyone who’s tried to navigate Dublin by bus knows the feeling of standing at a stop wondering when the next 15 will turn up. This guide lays out the current 15 bus route timetable, its key stops, planned changes, and what they mean for your daily commute — all drawn from official sources and verified data.

First bus from Ballycullen Rd: 04:00 ·
Last bus from Ballycullen Rd: 23:30 ·
Peak frequency: Every 15 minutes ·
Route terminals: Ballycullen Road ↔ Clongriffin ·
Operator: Bus Átha Cliath (Dublin Bus)

Here is a quick reference of key service details.

Where does the 15 bus go in Dublin?

Route terminals: Ballycullen Road and Clongriffin

The 15 bus runs between Ballycullen Road in the southwest suburbs and Clongriffin in the northeast, cutting through Dublin city centre. According to the official Dublin Bus Route 15 PDF (the operator’s own published map and stop list), the route serves Clongriffin, Eden Quay, Rathmines, Templeogue Bridge, and Ballycullen Road. It’s one of the city’s longest bus routes, covering roughly 18 km from end to end.

Major stops and areas served

• Clongriffin Station — the northeastern terminus, connecting to the DART line
• Connolly Station — interchange with rail, DART, and multiple bus routes
• Eden Quay — heart of the city centre, near O’Connell Street and the IFSC
• College Green — central Dublin, near Trinity College and Dame Street
• Rathmines — busy shopping and residential district south of the city
• Templeogue Bridge — major stop on the southwest corridor
• Ballycullen Road (Stocking Avenue) — the southwestern terminus

These 66 stops, listed on Moovit (a third-party transit app aggregating live data), mean the 15 connects some of Dublin’s most populated residential corridors with the city’s main employment, education, and leisure zones.

Connections to city centre

For commuters heading into central Dublin, the 15 offers direct access to Eden Quay and College Green without needing to change buses. The journey from Ballycullen to city centre takes roughly 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. The route overlaps with the Luas Green Line at Harcourt and with multiple DART and commuter rail stations along its length.

What is the 15A bus route?

Difference between 15 and 15A

The 15A is a variant of the main 15 route. While the 15 runs Ballycullen Road to Clongriffin, the 15A runs from Merrion Square towards Limekiln Avenue, serving a different set of southern suburbs. The two routes share part of their alignment through the city centre before diverging. According to Dublin Bus’s official timetables, the 15A operates primarily during peak hours and is designed as a supplement to the main 15 service for passengers in the Limekiln area.

Route details for 15A

The 15A follows the 15 route from Merrion Square through the city centre, then turns onto Limekiln Avenue rather than continuing to Ballycullen. It serves stops like St. Stephen’s Green, Harcourt, and Rathmines before branching toward Limekiln. Frequency is lower than the main 15 — typically every 20–30 minutes during peak times. The distinction matters for passengers living near Limekiln Avenue who rely on the 15A for their morning commute.

Is the 15 bus changing?

Recent and planned changes

Yes — significant changes are underway. In October 2024, the National Transport Authority (the Irish state agency overseeing public transport) announced additional departures on Route 15: buses from Ballycullen at 07:32 and 16:45, and from Clongriffin at 07:38 and 08:02. These additions aimed to ease crowding during peak hours.

“Additional departures on Route 15 from Monday 21 October 2024: buses from Ballycullen at 07:32 and 16:45, and from Clongriffin at 07:38 and 08:02.” — National Transport Authority

Then in January 2025, Dublin Bus confirmed that Phase 6a of the BusConnects network redesign would commence on 26 January 2025. Under this plan, Route 15 will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland on behalf of TFI.

“Phase 6a of the BusConnects network redesign will commence on Sunday 26 January 2025. Route 15 will be operated by Go-Ahead Ireland on behalf of TFI.” — Dublin Bus

A BusConnects full report appendix (the official redesign document) describes a proposed new Route 15 operating every 20 minutes on weekdays from Greenhills College to Mountjoy Square — a significant shift from the current Ballycullen–Clongriffin alignment.

Impact on commuters

The BusConnects redesign aims to improve frequency and direct connectivity for parts of south Dublin including Perrystown, Crumlin, and Kimmage. According to the BusConnects appendix, the revised plan proposes Route 15 to address “concerns about frequency and direct connectivity” for these areas. For current passengers, the change means their familiar route may be replaced by a different alignment — so checking updated maps after January 2025 is essential.

How far is Dublin 15 from city centre?

Dublin 15 postal district

Dublin 15 is a postal district covering areas like Blanchardstown, Castleknock, and Ashtown, located approximately 7 km northwest of the city centre. While the 15 bus route number shares the digit “15”, it does not serve Dublin 15 — the route runs through the southwest (Dublin 16 and 24 areas) rather than the northwest. This is a common point of confusion for new Dublin residents.

Distance by bus route

The actual 15 bus route covers a much longer distance between its terminals, roughly 18 km, because it takes a winding path through multiple suburbs. The straight-line distance from Ballycullen to Clongriffin is about 12 km, but the bus’s route adds miles of detours through Rathmines, Templeogue, and the city centre. According to Transit (a real-time transit app used in Dublin), the full journey takes roughly 70–80 minutes in normal traffic.

The implication: If you’re relying on the 15 to reach Dublin 15, you’re on the wrong bus.

Does the 15 bus run 24 hours?

Current operating hours

No — the 15 bus does not run 24 hours. The first departure from Ballycullen Road is at 04:00, and the last departure from the same terminus is at 23:30. From Clongriffin, the first bus departs at roughly 05:00 and the last at around 00:15. According to the official Dublin Bus timetable PDF, there is no overnight service on this route.

Night Time Services

While some late-night apps like Moovit (a third-party transit app) claim the 15 operates 24 hours, this appears to be an error — Dublin Bus does not list any night service on Route 15. For late-night travel, Dublin Bus offers Nitelink services on select routes (marked with a “N” prefix), but Route 15 is not among them. The Nitelink network covers the city centre, Bray, and other corridors — but not the Ballycullen or Clongriffin areas.

Alternative late-night options

If you need to travel along the 15 corridor after midnight, your options are limited:

• Nitelink route N9 serves the Clongriffin area, but only on weekend nights
• Taxis from the city centre to Ballycullen cost roughly €25–35
• Ride-sharing services like Uber or Free Now are available but surge-priced after 01:00

The pattern is clear: for night shift workers or late-night socialisers in south Dublin, the 15 bus isn’t an option after 23:30.

The catch: Without a 24-hour service, night workers in the 15 corridor must plan alternative transport.

Related reading: BusConnects Phase 6a network redesign – Route 15 changes · Additional departures on Route 15 (October 2024)

Frequently asked questions

For Dublin commuters who rely on the 15 to get to work, the BusConnects redesign is the single biggest change in decades. The implication is clear: by mid-2025, your familiar route may no longer exist as you know it. Check official Dublin Bus announcements and National Transport Authority updates for the latest maps and schedules. For daily users of the 15, the choice is simple: adapt to the new route, or find an alternative — because the old timetable is about to be rewritten.