Irish Buses in the 70's & 80's

Much maligned, and much altered during their lifetimes, the standard D and VanHool D were the backbone of the Dublin City Service in the 70s and 80s. Whilst mechanical failures were commonplace, "make do and mend" prevailed as an almost bankrupt country could not afford to buy new vehicles. How times have changed, with a report in the Irish Times today (11 July 2006) that Ireland is the second richest nation in the world.

Rounding D'Olier Street into College Green, Phibsboro's D4 (VZI 4)with red roundels heads towards Palmerston Park on the now defunct route 12

D68 (VZI 68) was commandeered from Cork to help solve a chronic shortage of vehicles in Dublin, hence the lack of a route number

D115 (VZI 115) at Townsend Street with Donnybrook blue roundels

D172 (VZI 172) on route 3 turns from College Green into Westmoreland Street. The AIB Bank behind is now the Westin Hotel

Conyngham Road's D282 (VZI 282) disgorges passengers at the Aston Quay stop in June 1978. The traffic on the Quays was to be reversed a year later as part of a major traffic plan for the city. Judging by the Ford Escort behind it, "make do and mend" also applied to car doors.

 Conyngham Road D287 (VZI 287) is pictured at the Oxmanstown Road terminus of the 72 on the route's last day of operation. Starting life with the Dublin United Tramways Company in 1928 as the 52, Dublin Bus route 172 now covers some of the same territory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another last day of operation, this time the 61. Donnybrook's D290 (VZI 290 ) poses at the Churchtown terminus

Waterford's D331 (VZI 331) at the old bus station on The Quays

Shortly before the demise of route 81, Ringsend's D368 (368 IK) passes Griffith Barracks (now Griffith College) on the South Circular Road on a January day in 1978. The lack of traffic on the road is amazing for a Saturday. It would most likely be gridlocked now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet another "last day" - this time the 47A to Churchtown (Landscape Road). Started in 1932 by the DUTC, from 1942 - 1948 it only operated from Rathgar to Churchtown. A smokey D407 (407 IK) from Donnybrook performed the last service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

D411 (411 ZD) and below, D412 (412 ZD), two of Waterford's finest.

Ds 490 and 56 in Limerick yard

D492 (492 ZD) in Limerick

 

Ringsend's D498 (498 ZD) heads into the city at Christchurch on the now defunct route 81

D535 (535 ZD) at College Green when the 34A was routed that way. It is not heading to Phibsboro Garage as the blinds suggest

 

Cork's D553 (553 ZD) at Broadstone garage having been overhauled in Inchicore Works