The railway in Ireland reaches all major cities, but not all places attractive to tourists. Trains in Ireland are fast, clean, punctual, but also more expensive than buses and train travel in Ireland is a good way to explore the country. Passengers can use Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART), commuter trains and Intercity trains. There are no night trains. The only international rail connection is Dublin – Belfast operated by Intercity trains.
Last updated: 09.02.2024
In 1834 the first railway line in Ireland was opened between Dublin Westland Row (present-day Pearse) and Dunleary (Dun Laoghaire) a distance of 10 km. The line was built to 1435 mm gauge. The line is consider earliest dedicated commuter railway in the world.
In 1839 the first section of the Ulster Railway from Belfast Lisburn opened. It was built to 1880 mm gauge. The Dublin and Drogheda Railway, opened in 1844, was buil to 1575 mm gauge.
In 1843 a gauge of 1600 mm was adopted for all new main line railways. The existing railways were regauged.
Many lines were closed in the 1950s and 1960s.
Train travel in Ireland – passenger services
Railway in Ireland is well-developed and well-maintained. Most routes in Ireland radiate from Dublin. Almost all railway lines are non-electrified (excerpt for Dublin Area Rapid Transit). Passenger trains are operated by Iarnród Éireann or Northern Ireland Railways (Dublin – Belfast). Passengers can choose between numerous discounts and special offers.
The main stations in Ireland are all named after heroes of the Irish 1916 Rising.
Dublin – Belfast train is the only passenger train running into and out of the European Union without any border controls and custom checks.
Useful websites:
Iarnród Éireann – official website, timetable, fares, online shop
Bus Éireann – buses timetable
National journey planner – national timetable
Map of railway network in Ireland (Wikimedia)
Most popular long-distance trains in Ireland:
Dublin – Cork
Dublin – Galway
Dublin – Limerick
Dublin – Waterford
Dublin – Sligo
Train travel in Ireland – tourist tickets
Iarnród Éireann has in its offer three very interesting tickets for tourists. You can travel also with an Interrail or Eurail pass instead of them.
Trekker Four Days – a network ticket (pass) for adults. Four consecutive days of unlimited travel on all Iarnród Éireann services in the Republic of Ireland from the date of issue on the ticket. Ticket can only be purchased in the selected ticket offices.
Explorer – a network ticket (pass) for adults and children. The ticket allows 5 days of unlimited travel out of 15 consecutive days on all Iarnród Éireann services in the Republic of Ireland.
Leap Visitor Card – a network ticket (pass) for tourists who want to travel throughout Dublin and surroundings area. Leap Visitor Card offers customers 1, 3 or 7 days unlimited travel on: Iarnród Éireann Dart and Commuter Rail services in the Short Hop Zone, Dublin Bus including Airlink 747, Luas (Light railway in Dublin) and Go-Ahead (buses).
Iarnród Éireann – More information about tickets.
Train travel in Ireland – Intercity trains
Ireland Railways operate suburban trains and Intercity trains. Intercity trains run between Ireland’s major cities and towns. Most popular are trains from Dublin Heuston to Cork and from Dublin Connoly to Belfast. Passenger can choose between Standard Class and First Class (domestic train) or First Plus Class (Dublin – Belfast trains). Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly train stations are linked by the light rail LUAS Red Line.
Standard class features in Intercity trains:
– onboard Wi-FI
– power sockets
– electronic audio and visual passenger information systems
– electronic seat reservation displays
– cCTV
– air conditioning
– luggage racks
– vacuum toilets
– some trains have buffet cars
First class in addition ergonomic electronically adjustable seats.
On most Intercity routes operate 22000 Class InterCity Railcar – diesel multiple units designed for Intercity routes. There are 3 car, 4 car and 5 car sets. All trains were manufactured between 2007 and 2011. Top speed is 160 km/h. The 3 and 4 car sets can be coupled together. All units were refurbished between 2019 and 2022. The fleet was built by a partnership between Rotem of South Korea, and Tokyu Car Corporation of Japan, responsible for the bogies.
Facilities on board:
– bike accommodation for two bicycles
– catering facilities
– wheelchair seating areas
– wheelchair accessible toilet facilities
– onboard CCTV
– seat reservation system with LED name displays above seats
– 220V power point sockets and USB sockets at every seat
– baby changing facilities
On the route Dublin – Cork operate Mark 4 push-pull sets built by CAF in Spain in 2004–2005. The operational speed is 160 km/h, but they are capable to speeds of up to 200 km/h. The set is usually formed into eight-carriage trains with 5 standard class carriages, first class carriage, buffet car and control vehicle. Each train can carry 422 passengers.
Dublin Area Rapid Transport
The Dublin Area Rapid Transport System (DART) is Dublin’s metropolitan railway connecting the city center with neighboring suburbs. DART is operated by Córas Iompair Éireann, a subsidiary of Iarnród Éireann.
The first line of the Dublin Area Rapid Transport System was officially opened in 1984. The first train ran from Bray to Dublin on July 23, 1984 at 8am.
All DART lines were electrified from the beginning, the connections are operated by electric multiple units owned by Iarnród Éireann. Interestingly, almost all vehicles operating in 1984 still carry passengers. The only exception are four trains that burned in the Fairview depot fire in 2001. In the coming years the rolling stock will be replaced.
Initially, the rolling stock consisted of 80 electric multiple units, in 1999 the number was increased to 154. Further trainsets were ordered.
DART trains are very popular and sometimes are overcrowded. DART trains carried the most passengers on July 4, 1966, when the American aircraft carrier JFK entered the port of Dun Laoghaire. 250,000 passengers traveled by train that day.
The DART Dublin – Dun Laoghaire section was created by the electrification of the first railway line in Ireland, opened in 1834.
There are plans to expand the suburban railway network. The plans include the construction of a line connecting Clongriffin station with Dublin International Airport. The second interesting investment is the construction of a 7.5 km long DART Underground Docklands – Inchicore railway line.
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