Dublin Bus route 161, operated by Donnybrook Garage operates from Nutgrove Shopping Centre via Whitechurch to Tibradden & Rockbrook.
The route was introduced in April 1999, initally operating from Nutgrove Shopping Centre car park using Mercedes Benz 811D with Leicester Carriage Builders bodywork. Attempts to use full length AD class DAF SB220's didnt last long due to the very narrow & twisted road network from Whitechurch to the outer terminus.
The service was introduced to replace the former & long remembered 47 group. Direct services to the City Centre were maintained by a new route 15C ( operated by Ringsend Garage ) operating from Ringsend Garage, using two transfered Leyland Olympians from Donnybrook, RH 92 & 93
More modern 814 Vario minibuses were introduced onto the route following the withdrawl of the Leicester Carriage Builders design & the MV class continued to operate the route.
Following the withdrawl of the MV class, Donnybrook introduced Wright bodied Crusader 2 Volvo B6BLE's onto the route, this WV class from buses received from both Ringsend & Clontarf Garage. This allowed for the conversion of the route to low floor & with increaed capacity .
The terminus however in the grounds of the car park has been relocated to outside the Shopping Centre on Nutgrove Way at the bus shelter due to the narrow confines of the car park.
Wright bodied Crusader 2 Volvo B6BLE, fleet number WV 4 ( 99 D 60004 ) is seen at the 161 terminus at Rockbrook in the Dublin Mountains Saturday 10th September 2005.
Just past the roundabout in the rear of the photo on the Tibradden Road, the M50 skirts along on its way to Ballinteer & beyond. Route 161 uses this roundabout to turn back & terminate at this stop. Marley Park & the beginning of " The Wicklow Way " trail through the Wicklow Mountains.
From the terminus here, route 161 meanders along the Tibradden Road, offering spectacular views of below, before heading down onto Edmondstown Road. This point is again popular with hillwalkers & also not far from Larch Hill, campsite for the CBSI Scouting. The route continues along Taylors Lane before a routing into Whitechurch Estate & then along the Grange Road ( former 47B terminus ) towards Nutgrove Shopping Centre. As the route low longer operates into the car park, it loops around Nutgrove, via Barton Road, Beaumont Avenue & Nutgrove Avenue.
WV 4 ( 99 D 60004 ) at the 161 terminus at Nutgrove Shopping Centre.
WV 4 was originally delivered to Ringsend Garage in 1999 in batch WV 1- 10 for route 150 to Rossmore, in City Imp livery.
The WV class are ideal for operating a wide range of Dublin Bus services, not requiring full size single /deckers. The also have the added bonus of being low floor & accomadating a wheelchair space. They are well designed internally, with plenty of seating & space at ground level before steps towards the rear.
Donnybrook uses its WV allocation on such routes as the 44B, 59, 111 & 161.
Route 161 operates 7 days a week, with a trip time of about 25 minutes, using just one bus.
