View source for Rail transport in Ireland

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is a legitimate description when the title is already adequate; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox rail network
|name            = Ireland
|color           = 
|logo            = 
|image           = Drogheda 1.jpg
|caption         = An Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class [[Diesel Multiple Unit|DMU]] at Drogheda MacBride station
|nationalrailway =[[Iarnród Éireann]] ([[Republic of Ireland]]) <br/> [[NI Railways]] ([[Northern Ireland]]) 
|infrastructure  = 
|ridership       = 50 million (Republic of Ireland, 2019)<ref name=europaeu>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/pdfscache/7066.pdf|title=Railway passenger transport statistics|publisher=Europa EU|date=8 December 2019|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111141339/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/pdfscache/7066.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br />15 million (Northern Ireland, 2017)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.derryjournal.com/news/40-increase-in-rail-passengers-on-derry-line-1-8646340 |title=40% increase in rail passengers on Derry line |website=Derry Journal |date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425205118/https://www.derryjournal.com/news/40-increase-in-rail-passengers-on-derry-line-1-8646340 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|passkm          = 
|freight         = 
|length          = {{convert|2733|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|doublelength    = 
|ellength        = {{convert|53|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|freightlength   = {{convert|362|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|hslength        = 
|gauge           = {{Track gauge|1,600mm|lk=on}}
|hsgauge         = 
|gauge1          = 
|gauge1length    = 
|gauge2          = 
|gauge2length    = 
|gauge3          = 
|gauge3length    = 
|gauge4          = 
|gauge4length    = 
|el              = 
|el1             = 1500&nbsp;[[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]]
|el1length       = [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]] in Dublin
|el2             = 
|el2length       = 
|el3             = 
|el3length       = 
|notunnels       = 
|tunnellength    = 
|longesttunnel   = [[Cork railway tunnel]]
|nobridges       = 
|longestbridge   = [[Barrow Bridge]]
|nostations      = 147
|highelevation   = 
|highelat        = 
|lowelevation    = 
|lowelat         = 
|map             = [[File:IrishRailMapUpdated2023.png|250px]]
|mapcaption      = Active railways in Ireland, with locations of major airports and ports in proximity to rail lines
}}

'''Rail transport in Ireland''' (InterCity, commuter and freight) is provided by [[Iarnród Éireann]] in the [[Republic of Ireland]] and by [[Northern Ireland Railways]] in [[Northern Ireland]].

Most routes in the Republic radiate from [[Dublin]]. Northern Ireland has suburban routes from [[Belfast]] and two main InterCity lines, to [[Derry]] and cross-[[Irish border|border]] to Dublin.

The accompanying map of the current railway network shows lines that are fully operational (in red), carrying freight only traffic (in black) and with dotted black lines those which have been "mothballed" (i.e. closed to traffic but potentially easy to re-open). Some airports are indicated but none are rail-connected, although [[Kerry Airport]] and [[Belfast City Airport]] are within walking distance of a railway station. Both the [[City of Derry Airport]] and [[Belfast International Airport|Belfast International (Aldergrove)]] are near railway lines but not connected. Ports are marked, although few remain rail-connected. [[Dublin Port]], [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour]], [[Belview Port]] and [[Rosslare Europort]] are ports that are still connected.

Ireland's only light rail service, named [[Luas]], is in Dublin. No metro lines currently exist in Ireland, but there is a planned [[MetroLink (Dublin)|MetroLink]] line which would serve Dublin.

==History==
{{Main|History of rail transport in Ireland}}
[[File:Map Rail Ireland Viceregal Commission 1906.jpg|right|thumb|1906 railway map]]

The first railway in Ireland opened in 1834. At its peak in 1920, Ireland had {{convert|5600|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of railway; now only about half of this remains. A large area around the border has no rail service.

Ireland's first light rail line was opened on 30 June 2004.

==Rolling stock==
===Locomotives===
{{main|Diesel locomotives of Ireland|Steam locomotives of Ireland}}
Diesel traction is the sole form of motive power in both the IÉ and NIR networks, apart from the electrified Howth/Malahide-Greystones [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit]] (DART) suburban route in Dublin. Apart from prototypes and a small number of shunting locomotives, the first major [[dieselisation]] programme in CIÉ commenced in the early 1950s with orders for 94 locomotives of two sizes (A and C classes) from [[Metropolitan-Vickers]] which were delivered from 1955, with a further twelve (B class) locomotives from [[Sulzer (manufacturer)|Sulzer]] in the late 1950s.
Following poor reliability experience with the first generation diesel locomotives, in the 1960s a second dieselisation programme was undertaken with the introduction of sixty-four locomotives in three classes (121, 141 and 181) built by General Motors, of the United States. This programme, together with line closures, enabled CIÉ to re-eliminate steam traction in 1963, having previously done so on the CIÉ network prior to taking over its share of the Great Northern Railway. In parallel, NIR acquired three locomotives from Hunslet, of England, for Dublin-Belfast services. The Metropolitan-Vickers locomotives were re-engined by CIÉ in the early 1970s with General Motors engines.

The third generation of diesel traction in Ireland was the acquisition of eighteen locomotives from General Motors of 2475 h.p. output, designated the [[CIE 071 Class/NIR Class 111|071 class]], in 1976. This marked a significant improvement in the traction power available to CIÉ and enabled the acceleration of express passenger services. NIR subsequently purchased three similar locomotives for Dublin-Belfast services, which was the first alignment of traction policies by CIÉ and NIR.

A fourth generation of diesels took the form of thirty-four locomotives, again from General Motors, which arrived in the early 1990s. This was a joint order by IÉ and NIR, with thirty-two locomotives for the former and two for the latter. They were again supplied by [[Electro-Motive Diesel|General Motors Electro-Motive Division]]. IÉ designated their locomotives the GM 201 class; numbered 201 to 234 (the NIR locomotives were later prefixed with an 8). These locomotives are the most powerful diesels to run in Ireland, and are of 3200 horsepower (2.5 MW), which enabled further acceleration of express services. The NIR locomotives, although shipped in NIR livery, were repainted in 'Enterprise' livery, as were six of the IÉ locomotives.

The 071 class are now used on freight services. NIR's three similar locomotives are numbered 111, 112 and 113. There is seldom more than one of these serviceable at a time.

===Multiple units===
{{main|Multiple Units of Ireland}}

NIR and IÉ both run suburban services using diesel multiple units (DMUs) – these are termed railcars in Ireland (see [[rail terminology]]).

====Railcars in operation====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Routes operated
! rowspan="2" |Built
|-
!mph
!km/h
|-
|[[IÉ 2600 Class|2600 Class]]
|[[File:Fota 1.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan="6"|[[Diesel multiple unit]]
|70
|110
|8
|{{plainlist|
*Mallow–Cork–Cobh
*Mallow–Tralee (Sundays only)
*Cobh–Midleton
}}
|1993

|-
|[[IÉ 2800 Class|2800 Class]]
|[[File:Limerick 1.jpg|100px]]
|75
|120
|8
|{{plainlist|
*Limerick–Waterford
*Limerick shuttle
*Limerick–Ennis
*Limerick–Galway
*Mallow–Tralee
*Ballina–Manulla Junction
}}
|2000

|-
|[[NIR Class 3000|3000 Class]]
|[[File:Seahill (1) (cropped).jpg|100x100px]]
|90
|145
|23
|{{plainlist|
*Belfast–Derry~Londonderry
*Belfast-Portadown/Newry
*Belfast-Bangor
*Belfast-Larne
*Coleraine-Portrush
*Belfast-Dublin (Enterprise) {{ref|a|a}}
}}
|2003–2005

|-
|[[NIR Class 4000|4000 Class ]]
|[[File:Coleraine railway station 3.jpg|100x100px]]
|90
|145
|20
| {{plainlist|
*Belfast–Derry~Londonderry
*Belfast-Portadown/Newry
*Belfast-Bangor
*Belfast-Larne
*Coleraine-Portrush
}}
|2010{{ndash}}2021

|-
|[[IÉ 22000 Class|22000 Class]]
|[[File:Drogheda 1.jpg|100px]]
|100
|160
|{{plainlist|
*28 3-car
*25 4-car
*10 5-car sets
}}
|{{plainlist|*Dublin–Newbridge/Kildare/Portlaoise
*Dublin–Cork
*Dublin–Maynooth/M3 Parkway/Longford/Sligo
*Dublin–Rosslare/Galway/Westport
*Dublin–Dundalk
*Limerick shuttle
*Tralee shuttle
*Dublin–Belfast (Enterprise) {{ref|b|b}}
}}
|2007–2012

|-
|[[IÉ 29000 Class|29000 Class]]
|[[File:Dublin 1.jpg|100px|29000 Class DMU]]
|75
|120
|29
|{{plainlist|
*Dublin–Maynooth
*Dublin–Drogheda/Dundalk
*Dublin–M3 Parkway
*Dublin–Maynooth/Longford
*Dublin–Rosslare Europort
}}
|2002–2005
|-
| colspan="8"|{{ref|a|a}} Only 6 Class 3000 units are equipped with [[Continuous Automatic Warning System|CAWS]], which allows them to operate in the [[Republic of Ireland]].<br>{{ref|b|b}} Only 9 Class 22000 are equipped with [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]] and [[Automatic Warning System|AWS]], which allows them to operate in [[Northern Ireland]].
|}

IÉ DMUs operate all InterCity services apart from Dublin to Cork and some Dublin to Belfast services<ref>https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/dublin-belfast-boost-in-irish-timetable-recast/66799.article</ref>

==== Iarnród Éireann 22000 class InterCity railcars ====
{{main|IE 22000 Class}}
There are 234 22000 Class carriages in total, being formed into the following sets:
*Ten 5-car sets – Each set includes a 1st Class Carriage and a Dining Carriage. They are used on key InterCity services between Dublin and Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Westport and Tralee.
*Twenty-five 4-car sets – These mostly operate on their own or with a 3-car unit. They serve lesser-used InterCity services and most Dublin to Sligo and Rosslare services.
*Twenty-eight 3-car sets – These mostly operate in pairs. They serve lesser-used InterCity services and many Dublin Commuter services.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

Features of the InterCity railcar fleet include:{{fact|date=December 2024}}
*Automatic PA and information display systems
*Electronic seat reservation displays for web bookings
*Fully air-conditioned
*Internal CCTV system
*Sleek carriage design
*Advanced safety features throughout{{vague|date=December 2024}}

The primary DMU classes in operation include the 22000, 29000, 2800, 2600, 3000, and 4000 series.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

==== Iarnród Éireann 29000 class Commuter railcars ====
{{main|IÉ 29000 Class}}
Introduced between 2002 and 2005, the 29000 Class consists of 29 four-car sets built by [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles|CAF]]. These units primarily operate on suburban routes in the Greater Dublin area, offering a seating capacity of 185 per set.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

==== Iarnród Éireann 2800 class railcars ====
{{main|IÉ 2800 Class}}
The 2800 Class includes 10 two-car sets constructed by Tokyu Car Corporation in 2000. Initially deployed on regional services, these DMUs have been reassigned to various routes based on operational requirements, each set providing seating for 85 passengers.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

==== Iarnród Éireann 2600 class railcars ====
{{main|IÉ 2600 Class}}
Built by Tokyu Car Corporation and introduced in 1993, the 2600 Class comprises 17 two-car sets. These units were the first modern DMUs purchased for the network and were initially used on suburban services.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

==== NI Railways 3000 class railcars ====
{{main|NIR Class 3000}}
The 3000 Class DMUs, manufactured by CAF, were introduced between 2004 and 2005. This fleet consists of 23 three-car sets, each with a seating capacity of approximately 212 passengers.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

==== NI Railways 4000 class railcars ====
{{main|NIR Class 4000}}
The 4000 Class DMUs, also built by CAF, entered service between 2011 and 2012. The fleet comprises 20 sets, configured into both three-car and six-car formations. Each three-car set offers seating for 216 passengers, while six-car sets accommodate up to 442 passengers. These units feature enhanced seating capacity and fuel economy compared to earlier models. In 2018, an additional 21 vehicles were ordered to extend train lengths, facilitating longer formations and increased capacity.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

===Coaching stock===
{{main|Coaching stock of Ireland}}

====Mark 4 carriages====

[[Iarnród Éireann]]'s flagship InterCity fleet are the [[Mark 4 (Iarnród Éireann)|Mark 4]].

[[File:Heuston railway station.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Mark 4 InterCity at Dublin Heuston station with Mark 3 carriages in the background]]

Built by [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles|CAF]] of Spain in 2004–2005 they are formed into 8-car [[Push–pull train|push-pull]] sets.
Each set contains (in order):
*GM 201 class locomotive
*5 Standard class carriages
*1 restaurant carriage
*1 'Citygold' (first class) carriage
*Generator Control Car

The Mark 4 trains have blue tinted windows, which help to create a cool journey for the passenger, electronic route maps showing train progress, electronic seat reservation displays and power points for laptops, or recharging tablets, MP3 players or mobile phones. Citygold customers on this fleet have the added features of adjustable seating, greater room and comfort and in-seat audio entertainment. They are used exclusively on the Dublin to Cork route; operating an hourly service each way.

The Mark 4 trains are capable of speeds of up to {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, but are limited to a maximum speed of {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, due to the lines they run on and the locomotives that pull them.

====Enterprise services====
The Dublin to Belfast '[[Enterprise (train service)|Enterprise]]' service is operated jointly by IÉ and NIR with [[rolling stock]] from [[De Dietrich Ferroviaire|De Dietrich]], commissioned in 1997. Four Mark 3 Generator vans were introduced in September 2012. Until then, 201 Class locomotives were required to supply [[head-end power]] (HEP) for heating and lighting. Since late 2024, with a timetable change increasing services up to every hour on Enterprise,<ref>https://www.irishrail.ie/getmedia/e2b3c3ca-bcde-407b-b9d5-c41bcaf0c373/09-Dublin-Belfast_1.pdf</ref> [[NIR Class 3000|Translink Class 3000]] and [[IÉ 22000 Class|Irish Rail 22000]] Class trains have also began running on the Enterprise.<ref>https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/dublin-belfast-boost-in-irish-timetable-recast/66799.article</ref>

[[File:Iarnrod Eireann Class 201.jpg|thumb|250px|right|One of the 34 GM locomotives bought in the 1990s, IÉ locomotive 215 "[[River Avonmore]] – ''An Abhainn Mhór''", sits at Grand Canal Dock [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit|DART]] station.]]

====Previous stock====
NIR also had a number of refurbished [[British Rail Class 488|Class 488]] carriages acquired from the [[Gatwick Express]] service and converted to run on the [[5 ft 3 in gauge railways|Irish {{RailGauge|1600mm}} gauge]]. These were generally referred to as 'the Gatwicks'.{{by whom|date=April 2019}} They were in use from 2001 until June 2009.

==Passenger services==
[[File:Rail transport infrastructure map - Entire Ireland.svg|thumb|Map of Ireland's rail transport infrastructure, showing number of tracks, electrification and maximum speed.]]
Below is a list of all passenger routes on the island of Ireland. Please note the following when examining routes:

# Services below usually, but not necessarily always, involve a change of trains. Changing points are shown in '''bold type'''.
# Services at different times of day will serve a different subset of the stations shown below. The "stations served" lists all possible stops for any train on a given route. As an example, some services to Limerick do not involve a change at Limerick Junction, and some services to Cork may stop at Limerick Junction, Charleville and Mallow only.

===Republic of Ireland InterCity routes===
====Dublin to Cork====
{{main|Dublin–Cork railway line}}
Stations served on this line are
* [[Heuston railway station|Dublin Heuston]]
* [[Portlaoise railway station|Portlaoise]]
* [[Ballybrophy railway station|Ballybrophy]]
* [[Templemore railway station|Templemore]]
* [[Thurles railway station|Thurles]]
* '''[[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]]'''
* [[Charleville railway station|Charleville]]
* '''[[Mallow railway station|Mallow]]'''
* [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork Kent]]

This was known as the 'Premier Line' of the [[Great Southern and Western Railway]] (GS&WR), being one of the longest routes in the country (266&nbsp;km or 165 miles), built to a high standard and connecting to Galway, Limerick, Waterford and [[County Kerry]], as well as to [[Cork (city)|Cork]]. These other destinations all have their own services, although connections are offered to/from the Cork service at Limerick Junction (for Limerick) and Mallow (for Kerry).
As of 2019 the line is receiving a major upgrade focusing this year between Newbridge and Ballybrophy.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} There are possessions of most sections of the line every night to carry out relaying. There are also disruptions and cancellations on most weekends.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} All relaying is using a much heavier rail to give a much smoother ride on trains.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} The new track at 60&nbsp;kg, is the same that is used on the TGV in France. As the upgrading continues there are speed restrictions which are affecting punctuality of trains.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} A new platform is under construction at Limerick Junction on the down line which will reduce conflicts and reduce journey times by 3–5 minutes.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} A fourth track is planned between [[Park West and Cherry Orchard railway station|Park West-Cherry Orchard]] and Heuston which is also intended to further reduce journey times.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} As of 2019, 13 out of 29 services on the route daily are delivered in 2 hours 30 mins or under.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} 11 trains operate the service in between 2 hours 30 mins and 2 hours 35 mins, with all services 2 hours 40 mins or less. An early morning express service from Cork to Dublin makes the non-stop journey in 2 hours 15 mins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4758&ci=5&p=116&n=133&date_from=2013-01-01&date_to=2100-01-01|title=New Rail Timetable for 2013– Iarnród Éireann|publisher=Irish Rail |work=irishrail.ie|date=15 January 2013|access-date=31 January 2013|archive-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130102550/http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4758&ci=5&p=116&n=133&date_from=2013-01-01&date_to=2100-01-01|url-status=live}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=April 2019}}

====Dublin to Limerick====
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Heuston Station|Dublin Heuston]]
* [[Sallins and Naas railway station|Sallins and Naas]]
* [[Newbridge railway station (Ireland)|Newbridge]]
* [[Kildare railway station|Kildare]]
* [[Monasterevin railway station|Monasterevin]]
* [[Portarlington halt|Portarlington]]
* [[Portlaoise railway station|Portlaoise]]
* [[Ballybrophy halt|Ballybrophy]]
* [[Templemore railway station|Templemore]]
* {{rws|Thurles}}
* '''[[Limerick Junction]]'''
* [[Limerick Colbert Station|Limerick Colbert]]

This service follows the Cork route as far as Limerick Junction. Limerick services leave the main line via a direct curve built in 1967, onto part of the former [[Waterford and Limerick Railway]] (W&LR). The former two hourly timetable operated by 22000 Class railcars was cut back in November 2009 when the number of direct trains was reduced to three from Dublin to Limerick and four from Limerick to Dublin. On Sunday there are 6 trains in each direction. The remaining Dublin-Limerick-Ennis services involve a change at 'Limerick Junction' from a Dublin-Cork or Dublin-Tralee service onto a [[Limerick Suburban Rail|local train]] for the remaining 30 minutes of the journey.

====Dublin to Galway====
{{main|Dublin–Westport/Galway railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Heuston Station|Dublin Heuston]]
* [[Sallins and Naas railway station|Sallins and Naas]] (peak times only)
* [[Newbridge railway station (Ireland)|Newbridge]]
* [[Kildare railway station|Kildare]]
* [[Monasterevin railway station|Monasterevin]]
* '''[[Portarlington halt|Portarlington]]'''
* [[Tullamore railway station|Tullamore]]
* [[Clara railway station|Clara]]
* [[Athlone railway station|Athlone]]
* [[Ballinasloe railway station|Ballinasloe]]
* [[Woodlawn railway station|Woodlawn]]
* [[Attymon halt|Attymon]]
* '''[[Athenry railway station|Athenry]]'''
* [[Oranmore railway station|Oranmore]]
* [[Galway railway station|Galway Ceannt]]

The present route, built by the GS&WR in competition with the MGWR, leaves the Cork main line just after Portarlington. The [[River Shannon]] is crossed at Athlone. Athenry, the second last station before Galway, became a junction once again in 2010 with the reopening of the line to Limerick and would do so again if the planned reopening of the line to [[Tuam railway station|Tuam]] proceeds in accordance with [[Transport 21]].  In February 2011 planning permission was obtained for a station at [[Oranmore railway station|Oranmore]] and opened 28 July 2013.
All services are operated by 22000 Class railcars.

As of 2019, journey times range between 2 hours 11 minutes to 2 hours 37 minutes. 8 services operate in 2 hours 20 mins or less Monday to Friday.
There are 9 direct trains in each direction Monday–Thursday. On Friday the 07:35 express Heuston goes to Westport instead of Galway but there is a connecting train to Galway from Athlone. For the college term there is an extra service from Galway to Dublin at 15:35.

====Dublin to Tralee====
{{main|Mallow–Tralee railway line}}
[[File:Farranfore train station.jpg|thumb|Railway tracks stretch into the distance from the [[level crossing]] at the eastern end of [[Farranfore railway station|Farranfore station]].]]
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Heuston Station|Dublin Heuston]]
* {{rws|Kildare}} (1 train on Sunday)
* [[Portarlington railway station|Portarlington]] (Sundays only)
* [[Portlaoise railway station|Portlaoise]]
* [[Thurles railway station|Thurles]]
* [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]]
* [[Charleville railway station|Charleville]]
* '''[[Mallow railway station|Mallow]]'''
* [[Banteer railway station|Banteer]]
* [[Millstreet railway station|Millstreet]]
* [[Rathmore railway station|Rathmore]]
* [[Killarney railway station|Killarney]]
* [[Farranfore railway station|Farranfore]]
* [[Tralee railway station|Tralee Casement]]{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

This relatively indirect route runs along what is in essence a branch line connected to the Cork–Dublin mainline at Mallow. Trains run to/from the south of Tralee. As of 2017 there were eight trains from [[Mallow, County Cork|Mallow]] to [[Tralee]] and nine trains the other way around. All services are operated by 22000 Class railcars, with the exception of the very early morning service from Tralee to Cork and some Sunday services (From Tralee to Cork via Mallow) which are operated by a 2-carriage 2600 Class Commuter set. There is one service a day from Dublin Heuston to Tralee in each direction Monday to Friday. On Sunday there is two trains from Heuston to Tralee and three from Tralee to Heuston. Journey times range from 3 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 53 minutes. On this line, Farranfore railway station provides a direct connection with [[Kerry Airport]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

====Dublin to Waterford====
{{main|Dublin–Waterford railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Heuston Station|Dublin Heuston]]
* [[Hazelhatch and Celbridge railway station|Hazelhatch and Celbridge]]
* [[Sallins and Naas railway station|Sallins and Naas]]
* [[Newbridge railway station (Ireland)|Newbridge]]
* '''[[Kildare railway station|Kildare]]'''
* [[Athy railway station|Athy]]
* [[Carlow railway station|Carlow]]
* [[Muine Bheag railway station|Muine Bheag]]
* [[Kilkenny railway station|Kilkenny MacDonagh]]
* [[Thomastown railway station|Thomastown]]
* [[Waterford railway station|Waterford Plunkett]]

Since Kilkenny is a stub station, reversal is necessary. Non Passenger trains such as the DFDS Freight train from Ballina to Waterford avoid Kilkenny by using Lavistown loop which joins both lines going into Kilkenny. Some passenger trains use the loop to reducing the journey time.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

====Dublin to Westport/Ballina====
{{main|Dublin–Westport/Galway railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Dublin Heuston]]
* [[Newbridge railway station (Ireland)|Newbridge]]
* [[Kildare railway station|Kildare]]
* [[Monasterevin railway station|Monasterevin]]
* '''[[Portarlington halt|Portarlington]]'''
* [[Tullamore railway station|Tullamore]]
* [[Clara railway station|Clara]]
* [[Athlone railway station|Athlone]]
* [[Roscommon railway station|Roscommon]]
* [[Castlerea railway station|Castlerea]]
* [[Ballyhaunis railway station|Ballyhaunis]]
* [[Claremorris railway station|Claremorris]]
* '''[[Manulla Junction]]''' ([[Foxford railway station|Foxford]]–[[Ballina railway station|Ballina]] or [[Castlebar railway station|Castlebar]]–[[Westport railway station, Mayo|Westport]])

The line is served primarily by a [[IE 22000 Class|22000 Class]] [[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]] on Dublin–Westport.  On the Manulla Junction – Ballina section a [[IE 2800 Class|2800 Class diesel railcar]] operates.
There are 3 services a day from Heuston to Westport and 5 From Westport to Heuston Monday to Thursday and on Friday the 07:35 Heuston to Galway goes to Westport and the 09:08 Athlone to Westport goes to Galway and then the 17:10 Heuston to Athlone is extended to Westport and there is 5 trains from Westport to Heuston. There is also 1 service daily from Athlone to Westport Monday to Thursday. Journey times range from 3 hours 6 minutes to 3 hours 44 minutes.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

====Dublin to Gorey/Rosslare Europort====
{{main|Dublin–Rosslare railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Dublin Connolly]]
* [[Tara Station|Tara Street]]
* [[Pearse Station|Dublin Pearse]]
* [[Dún Laoghaire railway station|Dún Laoghaire Mallin]]
* [[Bray railway station|Bray Daly]]
* [[Greystones railway station|Greystones]]
* [[Kilcoole railway station|Kilcoole]] (limited service)
* [[Wicklow railway station|Wicklow]]
* [[Rathdrum railway station|Rathdrum]]
* [[Arklow railway station|Arklow]]
* [[Gorey railway station|Gorey]]
* [[Enniscorthy railway station|Enniscorthy]]
* [[Wexford O'Hanrahan]]
* [[Rosslare Strand railway station|Rosslare Strand]]
* [[Rosslare Europort railway station|Rosslare Europort]]

There are four end to end journeys in each direction Mondays to Fridays inclusive. There is a once-daily morning commuter service from Dundalk Clarke to Bray Daly and another from Drogheda MacBride to Bray Daly. In the evening, there is a once-daily commuter service from Dún Laoghaire Mallin to Dundalk Clarke, as well as a service from Bray to Drogheda MacBride.. On Saturdays and Sundays there are three end to end journeys each way plus a Gorey to Dundalk Commuter service. The 16:37 Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort Mondays to Fridays journey offers connectional opportunities into ships to Wales and France. Some peak services also stop at Lansdowne Road station as well and some services skip Kilcoole. This service has the slowest average speed at roughly 53 kilometres per hour. Services are either ICR's of 29000 commuter trains.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Rosslare Europort - Dublin - Valid from 14.10.2024 until further notice |url=https://www.irishrail.ie/getmedia/2eaa16f8-4645-4cd7-a1a2-83c1665f701b/08_dublin-rosslare.pdf |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=irishrail.ie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DART/Commuter Timetable |url=https://www.irishrail.ie/getmedia/a115d38e-ca09-4abc-9f1a-3fa6629346ab/4-_18-_dart_commuter.pdf |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=irishrail.ie}}</ref>

A resignalling project in Dublin increases the ability of Iarnród Éireann to run 12 to 20 trains per hour in both directions through the [[Howth Junction & Donaghmede railway station|Howth Junction]] to Grand Canal Dock line, which caters for Howth DARTs, Malahide DARTs, Northern Commuter trains, Belfast Enterprise services, Sligo InterCity and Maynooth Commuter services, as well as other services in the [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Connolly]] to Grand Canal Dock area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/city-centre-resignalling|title=Investment in Iarnród Éireann|publisher=irishrail.ie|date=31 January 2015|access-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217130751/http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/city-centre-resignalling|archive-date=17 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Dublin to Sligo ====
{{main|Dublin–Sligo railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Dublin Connolly]]
* [[Drumcondra railway station|Drumcondra]]
* [[Maynooth railway station|Maynooth]]
* [[Kilcock railway station|Kilcock]]
* [[Enfield (County Meath) railway station|Enfield]]
* [[Mullingar railway station|Mullingar]]
* [[Edgeworthstown railway station|Edgeworthstown]]
* [[Longford railway station|Longford]]
* [[Dromod railway station|Dromod]]
* [[Carrick-on-Shannon railway station|Carrick-on-Shannon]]
* [[Boyle railway station|Boyle]]
* [[Ballymote railway station|Ballymote]]
* [[Collooney railway station|Collooney]]
* [[Mac Diarmada railway station|Sligo Mac Diarmada]]

All services are operated by 22000 Class railcars with a service every 2 hours until 7&nbsp;pm.
The first Sunday service from Dublin is operated by 29000 Class railcars. This returns from Sligo at 6&nbsp;pm.

====Cork to Tralee====
{{main|Mallow–Tralee railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork Kent]]
* '''[[Mallow railway station|Mallow]]'''
* [[Banteer railway station|Banteer]]
* [[Millstreet railway station|Millstreet]]
* [[Rathmore railway station|Rathmore]]
* [[Killarney railway station|Killarney]]
* [[Farranfore railway station|Farranfore]]
* [[Tralee railway station|Tralee Casement]]

This is a three times daily service with two trains departing in the morning and one in the evening. The service is run by a [[IE 22000 Class|22000 Class]].

[[Farranfore railway station]] connects with [[Kerry Airport]].

====Limerick to Waterford====
{{Main|Limerick–Rosslare railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Limerick Colbert Station|Limerick Colbert]]
* '''[[Limerick Junction]]'''
* [[Tipperary railway station|Tipperary]]
* [[Cahir railway station|Cahir]]
* [[Clonmel railway station|Clonmel]]
* [[Carrick-on-Suir railway station|Carrick-on-Suir]]
* [[Waterford railway station|Waterford Plunkett]]

The Limerick–Waterford route is the only true non-radial (from Dublin) route still open in Ireland that is not a branch line. The route was commenced in 1848 by the Waterford & Limerick Railway and completed in 1854.

Timetabling, as of 2019, requires passengers to change at Limerick Junction.  There are two services per day, each way, with no service on Sundays or Public Holidays. Timetabled journey times vary between 2hrs35mins & 2hrs43mins.

====Limerick–Ennis–Galway====
{{main|Western Railway Corridor}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Limerick Colbert Station|Limerick Colbert]]
* [[Sixmilebridge railway station|Sixmilebridge]]
* [[Ennis railway station|Ennis]]
* [[Gort railway station|Gort]]
* [[Ardrahan railway station|Ardrahan]]
* [[Craughwell railway station|Craughwell]]
* '''[[Athenry railway station|Athenry]]'''
* [[Oranmore railway station|Oranmore]]
* [[Galway railway station|Galway Ceannt]]

This service started 30 March 2010 with the reopening of the [[Ennis]]–[[Athenry]] line. Direct trains now travel from [[Limerick]] to [[Galway]] with the Ennis commuter services have been subsumed into these.

All of the new stations are unstaffed. Gort has two platforms with lifts, bridges, ticket machines and a loop while Sixmilebridge, Ardrahan and Craughwell have just one platform each. In Gort the signal cabin has been restored and relocated and there is a small depot for permanent way crew. This reopening was the Phase One of the reopening of the [[Western Rail Corridor]]. It involved the relaying of 58&nbsp;km of track, rebuilding bridges, installation of signalling systems, level crossing upgrades and building the stations. The journey time between Limerick and Galway is just under 2 hours and there are 5 trains each way daily.

The line has seen some growth, with the ''[[Irish Times]]'' reporting that from 2013 to 2014, "the western rail corridor saw a 72.5 per cent increase from 29,000 to 50,000 journeys through the Ennis–Athenry section of the line", which was partly attributed to the introduction of online booking and promotional fares.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/iarnr%C3%B3d-%C3%A9ireann-passenger-numbers-up-by-1-million-1.2054550|title=Iarnród Éireann passenger numbers up by 1 million|first=Tim|last=O'Brien|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211222525/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/iarnr%C3%B3d-%C3%A9ireann-passenger-numbers-up-by-1-million-1.2054550|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Republic of Ireland commuter routes===

====Dublin Suburban Rail====
{{main|Dublin Suburban Rail}}

* ''[[Dublin Area Rapid Transit]] (DART)'' – [[Greystones railway station|Greystones]] to [[Howth railway station|Howth]]/[[Malahide railway station|Malahide]].
* ''Northern Commuter'' – [[Dublin Pearse railway station|Dublin Pearse]] to [[Drogheda MacBride railway station|Drogheda MacBride]]/[[Dundalk Clarke railway station|Dundalk Clarke]]
* ''South Eastern Commuter'' – [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Dublin Connolly]] to [[Gorey railway station|Gorey]].
* ''South Western Commuter'' – [[Dublin Heuston railway station|Dublin Heuston]]/[[Grand Canal Dock railway station|Grand Canal Dock]] to [[Hazelhatch and Celbridge railway station|Hazelhatch and Celbridge]]/[[Portlaoise railway station|Portlaoise]]/[[Newbridge railway station (Ireland)|Newbridge]].
* ''Western Commuter'' – [[Dublin Pearse railway station|Dublin Pearse]]/[[Docklands railway station|Docklands]] to [[Maynooth railway station|Maynooth]]/[[M3 Parkway railway station|M3 Parkway]]/[[Longford railway station|Longford]].

==== Mallow to Cork ====
{{Main|Cork Suburban Rail}}Stations served on this line are:

* [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork Kent]]
* [[Mallow railway station|Mallow]]

==== Cóbh to Cork ====
{{Main|Cork Suburban Rail}}Stations served on this line are:

* [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork Kent]]
* [[Little Island railway station|Little Island]]
* [[Glounthaune railway station|Glounthaune]]
* [[Fota railway station|Fota]]
* [[Carrigaloe railway station|Carrigaloe]]
* [[Rushbrooke railway station|Rushbrooke]]
* [[Cobh railway station|Cobh]]

==== Midleton to Cork ====
{{Main|Cork Suburban Rail}}Stations served on this line are:

* [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork Kent]]
* [[Little Island railway station|Little Island]]
* [[Glounthaune railway station|Glounthaune]]
* [[Carrigtwohill railway station|Carrigtwohill]] 
* [[Midleton railway station|Midleton]]

==== Galway to Athenry ====
{{Main|Galway Suburban Rail}}Stations served on this line are:

* [[Galway railway station|Galway]]
* [[Oranmore railway station|Oranmore]]
* [[Athenry railway station|Athenry]]

====Limerick to Ennis====
{{Main|Limerick Suburban Rail}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Limerick Colbert Station|Limerick Colbert]]
* [[Sixmilebridge railway station|Sixmilebridge]]
* [[Ennis railway station|Ennis]]

====Limerick to Nenagh and Ballybrophy====
{{Main|Limerick-Ballybrophy railway line}}
[[File:Castleconnell railway station.jpg|thumb|250px|Castleconnell Station, County Limerick]]
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Limerick Colbert Station|Limerick Colbert]]
* [[Castleconnell railway station|Castleconnell]]
* [[Birdhill railway station|Birdhill]]
* [[Nenagh railway station|Nenagh]]
* [[Cloughjordan railway station|Cloughjordan]]
* [[Roscrea railway station|Roscrea]]
* [[Ballybrophy railway station|Ballybrophy]]

The line branches from the Waterford line just outside Limerick at Killonan Junction. All trains on this line connect with Dublin trains at [[Ballybrophy railway station|Ballybrophy]].

Current services on the line consist of two return passenger trains a day from Limerick. Following a campaign by The Nenagh Rail Partnership founded by local politicians and community representatives and assisted by the Internet news group Irish Railway News, a market research survey was funded by local Government. The market research was carried out in the summer of 2005 and showed there existed a market for improved services on the line. As a result of this study IÉ has committed to allocating additional rolling stock to the line as part of its ongoing fleet replacement programme. This line is subject to many speed restrictions due to the need to replace several old sections of track.

In October 2007, following a meeting between Iarnród Éireann management and The Nenagh Rail Partnership, it was confirmed that the new commuter service would be introduced between Nenagh and Limerick on Monday 1 September 2008. This was launched as planned on Monday 1 September 2008.

A news report in January 2012 suggested that Iarnród Éireann might seek permission from the [[National Transport Authority (Ireland)|National Transport Authority]] to close the line,<ref>{{cite web |author=Seán McCárthaigh |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20178779.html |title=Iarnród Éireann may close rail service amid falling demand |publisher=Examiner.ie |date=2 January 2012 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=6 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606144408/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/iarnrod-eireann-may-close-rail-service-amid-falling-demand-178779.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but in February 2012 an enhanced timetable for the line was published, indicating that a decision to close has been deferred pending the outcome of the service upgrade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4483&p=116&n=237 |title=Nenagh, Limerick and Commuter service improvements – REVISED SCHEDULE, FROM 20TH MARCH – Iarnród Éireann |publisher=Irishrail.ie |date=16 March 2012 |access-date=24 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112090532/http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4483&p=116&n=237 |archive-date=12 November 2013 }}</ref>{{update inline|date=April 2019}}

===Northern Ireland routes===
{{Main|NI Railways}}
Services in Northern Ireland are sparse in comparison to the Republic or other countries. A large railway network was severely curtailed in the 1950s and 1960s (in particular by the [[Ulster Transport Authority]]). Routes now include suburban services to [[Larne Town railway station|Larne]], [[Portadown railway station|Portadown]]/[[Newry railway station|Newry]] and [[Bangor railway station (Northern Ireland)|Bangor]], as well as services to [[Derry ~ Londonderry railway station|Derry]]. There is also a branch from [[Coleraine railway station|Coleraine]] to [[Portrush railway station|Portrush]]. On Northern Ireland Railways distances are quoted in miles and metres.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/070718_R252007_Trooperslane.pdf | website = raib.ie | publisher = Rail Accident Investigation Branch | title = Rail Accident Report - Derailment at Trooperslane near Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland - 23 April 2006 | accessdate = 31 May 2021 | archive-date = 16 April 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090416155950/http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/070718_R252007_Trooperslane.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>

====Belfast suburban====
{{main|Belfast Suburban Rail}}

Three suburban routes run on 20-minute frequencies in and out of [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]], these routes then pass through [[Belfast Lanyon Place railway station|Belfast Lanyon Place]] before continuing onto destinations at Bangor, Derry and Larne
====Belfast to Derry====
{{main|Belfast–Derry railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]]
* [[City Hospital railway station|City Hospital]]
* [[Botanic railway station|Botanic]]
* {{rws|Belfast Lanyon Place}}
* [[York Street railway station|York Street]] (partial service)
* {{rws|Whiteabbey}} (partial service)
* [[Mossley West railway station|Mossley West]]
* {{rws|Antrim}}
* {{rws|Ballymena}}
* {{rws|Cullybackey}}
* {{rws|Ballymoney}}
* {{rws|Coleraine}}
* {{rws|Castlerock}}
* {{rws|Bellarena}}
* {{rws|Derry~Londonderry}}

The service to [[Derry]] has suffered from a lack of funding over recent decades.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} The existing line is not continuously welded and has speed restrictions in parts.  For some time the threat of closure hung over this route but a funding package of £20&nbsp;million was confirmed in December 2005.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} The same month saw the introduction of the new CAF railcars on the line and despite the fact that the service remained slower than the Derry-Belfast Ulsterbus service, the improvements saw a rise in passenger numbers to over 1 million per annum.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} However, these in 2007 when it was revealed that the £20&nbsp;million earmarked had not been spent while there had been a £20&nbsp;million overspend on the Belfast–Bangor line,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6477643.stm |title=Belfast-Bangor line |work=BBC News |date=22 March 2007 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=23 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023012337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6477643.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the "Into the West"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intothewestrail.com/wiki/pmwiki.php |title=Into the West |publisher=Intothewestrail.com |access-date=24 August 2012 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> rail lobby group had proposed extending the line cross border into [[County Donegal]] to [[Letterkenny]] and then on to [[Sligo]], thus releasing EU funding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://socialistenvironmentalalliance.org/cgi-bin/sea/aaSeaStatements/sea0605111_eu_rail_funding.pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809045318/http://socialistenvironmentalalliance.org/cgi-bin/sea/aaSeaStatements/sea0605111_eu_rail_funding.pl|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2007|title=S . E . A . - Rail group seek EU funding for NW rail network|date=9 August 2007}}</ref>
Currently,{{when|date=April 2019}} the department has partly completed a plan in place for Regional Development, for relaying of the track between [[Derry]] and [[Coleraine]] by 2013, which includes a passing loop, and the introduction of two new train sets. The £86&nbsp;million plan is expected to reduce the journey time between [[Belfast]] and [[Derry]] by 30 minutes and allow commuter trains to arrive in Derry before 0900 for the first time.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

====Coleraine to Portrush====
{{main|Coleraine–Portrush railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* {{rws|Coleraine}}
* [[University railway station (Northern Ireland)|University]]
* [[Dhu Varren railway station|Dhu Varren]]
* {{rws|Portrush}}

====Belfast to Larne Harbour====

{{main|Belfast–Larne railway line}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Great Victoria Street railway station|Belfast Grand Central]]
* [[City Hospital railway station|City Hospital]]
* [[Botanic railway station|Botanic]]
* {{rws|Belfast Lanyon Place}}
* [[York Street railway station|York Street]]
* [[Whiteabbey railway station|Whiteabbey]]
* [[Jordanstown railway station|Jordanstown]]
* [[Greenisland railway station|Greenisland]]
* [[Trooperslane railway station|Trooperslane]]
* [[Clipperstown railway station|Clipperstown]]
* [[Carrickfergus railway station|Carrickfergus]]
* [[Downshire railway station|Downshire]]
* [[Whitehead railway station|Whitehead]]
* [[Ballycarry railway station|Ballycarry]]
* [[Magheramorne railway station|Magheramorne]]
* [[Glynn railway station|Glynn]]
* [[Larne Town railway station|Larne Town]]
* [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour]]

===Cross-border routes===
====Belfast–Dublin and Dublin–Belfast====
{{main|Enterprise (train service)}}
Stations served on this line are:
* [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]]
* [[Lisburn railway station|Lisburn]] ''(1 Train each way on a Sunday)''
* [[Lurgan railway station|Lurgan]] ''(1 Train each way on a Sunday)''
* [[Portadown railway station|Portadown]]
* [[Newry railway station|Newry]]
* [[Dundalk railway station|Dundalk Clarke]]
* [[Drogheda railway station|Drogheda MacBride]]
* [[Dublin Connolly railway station|Dublin Connolly]]

This cross border service, named '''Enterprise''', is jointly owned and run by Northern Ireland Railways and IÉ.  Despite having some of the most modern InterCity [[rolling stock]] on the island, it has been dogged by numerous problems. An historical problem on this route has been disruption to services caused by security alerts (devices on the line, hoax devices, threats and warnings).  These continue to the present day.

The punctuality on this service remains poor for other reasons. The InterCity route, despite being mostly high quality [[rail tracks|continuous welded rail]], is shared with suburban services outside both Belfast and Dublin.

A further problem was due to the locomotive and rolling stock arrangements. Unlike most other locomotive-hauled rolling stock in Ireland, generator vans were not part of the train – even the DVTs did not supply power. Thus the General Motors-built locomotives had to supply [[head-end power]] for lighting and heating throughout the train. Although many types of locomotive are well designed for this purpose, these particular locomotives had struggled under the extra strain. The wear on the locomotives and time out of service were unusually high. On at least two occasions locomotives had burst into flames while shuttling along the route. To avoid further damage, four Mark 3 Generator Vans entered service in September 2012.

The collapse of the [[Broadmeadow viaduct|Malahide Viaduct]] in late 2009 temporarily stopped all Enterprise services from Dublin to Belfast for 3 months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0821/rail.html |title=Bridge on Dublin-Belfast Line Collapses |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=21 August 2009 |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=17 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917111007/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0821/rail.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The viaduct was repaired and the line re-opened in November 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1116/rail.html |title=Dublin-Belfast Rail ReOpens |date=16 November 2009 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |access-date=24 August 2012 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024231436/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1116/rail.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Freight==
{{Main|Rail freight stock of Ireland}}

The following freight services operate in Ireland :
*Timber trains from Ballina to [[Port of Waterford|Waterford Port (Belview)]]
*Timber trains from Westport to [[Port of Waterford|Waterford Port (Belview)]]
*Zinc ore from [[Tara Mine]]s, Navan – [[Dublin Port]] (North Wall)
*International Warehousing and Transport chartered Liner from Ballina – Dublin Port (North Wall) (Started September 2009){{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

Rail freight in Ireland declined in the early 21st century,{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} and IÉ closed its [[Intermodal container|container]] rail freight business in July 2005, saying that the sector had accounted for 10% of its freight business, but 70% of its losses.{{fact|date=October 2021}} Container freight levels had dropped to c.35 containers on three trains per day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0610/D.0610.200511240020.html |title=Historical debates - Dáil Éireann - Volume 610 - 24 November, 2005 - Other Questions - Rail Services |publisher=Historical-debates.oireachtas.ie |access-date=24 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204043727/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0610/D.0610.200511240020.html |archive-date=4 February 2012  }}</ref> Yet Iarnród Éireann estimated that a minimum of eighteen 40-foot containers was needed for a commercially viable trainload.  The impact of this will be about forty more [[Semi-trailer|lorries]] a day, described by Iarnród Éireann as a 'drop in the ocean' when compared to the 10,000 lorries entering Dublin Port every day.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

Freight services no longer running include ammonia trains (from [[Shelton Abbey]], Wicklow–Cork due to the closure of a fertiliser plant),{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} nationwide bagged cement and beer keg freight,{{fact|date=October 2021}} gypsum loads ([[Kingscourt]]–Dublin), and bulk cement (from cement factories at Platin near Drogheda and Castlemungret near Limerick to silos at [[Sligo]], [[Athenry railway station|Athenry]], [[Cabra, Dublin|Cabra]], Cork, Waterford, [[Tullamore railway station|Tullamore]] and Belfast).{{fact|date=October 2021}}

Other losses included services carrying fertilisers, grain, tar, scrap metal, molasses and coal.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} The last bulk cement flow to operate in Ireland (Castlemungret – Waterford) ended in December 2009 along with the Kilmastulla Quarry – Castlemungret Shale traffic, despite making profits in the region of €1.3 million in 2006.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

Remaining freight traffic is supported by an agreement with [[Coillte]] to increase timber trains from Ballina to Belview from three to four weekly.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} This may{{original research inline|date=April 2019}} reflect the failure of the railway to dispose of its surplus [[IE 201 Class|Class 201]] locomotives made surplus by the retirement of the [[Coaching stock of Ireland|Mark 3 coach fleet]].{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

[[Bord na Móna]] operates an extensive {{convert|1930|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} [[narrow-gauge railway]]. This is one of the largest industrial rail networks in Europe and is completely separate from Ireland's passenger rail system operated by [[Iarnród Éireann]]. It is used to transport [[peat]] from harvesting plots to processing plants and power stations of the [[Electricity Supply Board]].

==Rail interest groups and museums==
{{directory|section|date=May 2021}}

{{Main|List of heritage railways in the Republic of Ireland|List of heritage railways in Northern Ireland}}
Ireland has a small heritage railway scene, with some substantial and long-running groups operating, while most are small affairs.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} There are a couple of railtour-operating groups, one {{convert|5|ft|3|in|mm|abbr=on|0}} self-contained railway, and a few groups with short lines.

===Heritage railways and bodies===
Heritage bodies in Ireland include the [[Railway Preservation Society of Ireland]] which is based in Whitehead, County Antrim and also has an operational base in Dublin. It runs preserved steam trains on several main lines around Ireland. Other bodies include the [[Irish Traction Group]], which preserves diesel locomotives including an example at [[Carrick-on-Suir railway station|Carrick-on-Suir station]], four at [[Moyasta]], and five at the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway|DCDR]].{{fact|date=October 2021}}

Heritage railways include the:
* [[Connemara Railway]], based at [[Maam Cross]], [[County Galway]], operating a temporary [[narrow gauge railway]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Connemara Railway|url=https://www.connemararailway.ie/|access-date=2022-01-25|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625072431/https://www.connemararailway.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]], the only self-contained full-size [[heritage railway]] in Ireland,{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} running trains along its {{Convert|4|mi|round=0.5}} of track in addition to its static museum.
* [[Fintown railway station|Fintown Railway]], which runs a former [[County Donegal Railways Joint Committee]] (CDRJC) railbus along the shore of [[Lough Finn]].
* [[Foyle Valley Railway]] in [[Derry]], which closed in 2015 but reopened in 2016.{{fact|date=October 2021}}
* [[Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway]], a recreation of the original [[Giant's Causeway Tramway]]. Steam running ceased at the railway in 2012 with the arrival of a new-build tram.
* [[Lartigue Monorail#Listowel and Ballybunion Railway|Listowel and Ballybunion Railway]], a section of the [[Lartigue Monorail]] system, has been restored for visitors in [[Listowel]], [[County Kerry]]
* [[Stradbally Woodland Railway]], run by the [[Irish Steam Preservation Society]].
* [[Tralee and Dingle Light Railway]], in [[County Kerry]].
* [[Waterford Suir Valley Railway]], which runs {{Convert|10|km|abbr=on}} of {{Track gauge|3ft}} gauge line between [[Kilmeadan]] and [[Waterford]].
* [[West Clare Railway]], with a collection of {{Track gauge|5 ft 3 in}} and {{Track gauge|3ft}} stock based in the restored '[[Moyasta]] junction' station.

===Interest and record groups===
The Irish Railway Record Society has a library of Irish railway documents at [[Heuston railway station|Heuston station]] and charters an annual [[railtour]]. The Modern Railway Society of Ireland promoted interest in modern-day Irish Railways and charters occasional railtours, before it was wound up in 2024.
* [[Irish Traction Group]] based at [[Carrick-on-Suir]].
* [[Railway Preservation Society of Ireland]] based at [[Whitehead, County Antrim|Whitehead]].

===Museums and historical displays===
There are a number of museums, most concerned with the {{convert|3|ft|mm|abbr=on|0}} gauge, and restored railway stations around Ireland:
* [[Belturbet railway station|Belturbet Railway Station]], County Cavan, which is restored as a museum and has several items of rolling stock.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discoverireland.ie/cavan/belturbet-heritage-railway-museum | title=Visit Belturbet Heritage Railway Museum with Discover Ireland | access-date=13 July 2023 | archive-date=13 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713124746/https://www.discoverireland.ie/cavan/belturbet-heritage-railway-museum | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Castlerea Railway Museum]], formerly Hell's Kitchen Railway Museum, in [[County Roscommon]].
* [[Cavan and Leitrim Railway]], which has {{Convert|0.4|km|abbr=on}} of {{Track gauge|3ft}} gauge track and a small transport museum, located next door to Iarnród Éireann's [[Dromod railway station]].
* [[Clonakilty#Tourism|Clonakilty Model Railway Village]], County Cork, which has a Ruston diesel and two Park Royal carriages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://modelvillage.ie/,%20https://modelvillage.ie/|title=Home - West Cork Model Railway Village}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=August 2023}}
* [[Donegal Railway Heritage Centre]], a museum dedicated to the [[County Donegal Railways Joint Committee]] housed in the former [[Donegal railway station]].
* [[National Transport Museum of Ireland]], mostly holding wheeled road vehicles but also with trams.<ref name="NTMI_tram_RTE">{{Cite web |title=Howth Tram Restored |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0223/854827-howth-tram-restored/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=RTÉ Archives |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727005922/https://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0223/854827-howth-tram-restored/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Ulster Folk and Transport Museums|Ulster Folk and Transport Museum]], a major museum which contains various railway and tramway vehicles of numerous gauges from across Ireland.

=== Former heritage railways and interest groups ===
* [[Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway]], which closed in 2008.
* [[Shane's Castle|Shane's Castle Railway]], County Antrim, which ran from 1971 to 1994/5, and was partly reused at the Giant's Causeway.
* [[Tralee and Dingle Light Railway|Tralee and Blennerville Railway]], which closed in 2006, and again in 2013, though the line still exists.{{fact|date=October 2021}}

==Planned and potential developments==
===Routes===

==== All Island Strategic Rail Review ====
A public consultation for a cross-border review of the inter-city railway network was launched jointly by the Irish Minister for Transport and Northern Irish Minister for Infrastructure in November 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |title=All Island Strategic Rail Review |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/61e8b-all-island-strategic-rail-review/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=www.gov.ie |date=29 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407105318/https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/61e8b-all-island-strategic-rail-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with over 8,000 responses to the consultation. A draft report of the Rail Review was published on 25 July 2023.<ref name=RAILREVIEW>{{Cite web |title=PDF.js viewer |url=https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/265178/a839ee26-16c4-407d-bd5b-327ce0e067f5.pdf |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.gov.ie |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725220045/https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/265178/a839ee26-16c4-407d-bd5b-327ce0e067f5.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The review recommended the reopening of many lines, and the creation of new lines, particularly in the northwest. It also recommended doubling and electrifying numerous stretches of track, and the creation of [[Quadruple-track_railway|quadruple track]] and alternative routes to separate intercity from suburban services close to Dublin and Belfast. The review envisages the reopening of an alternative route from [[Belfast]] to [[Derry]] via the old “[[Portadown, Dungannon and Omagh Junction Railway|Derry]] [[Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway|Road]]”, as well as the Portadown to Mullingar line in the medium term.<ref>{{Cite web|title=All-Island Strategic Rail Review makes 30 proposals to develop railways in Ireland|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/all-island-strategic-rail-review-makes-30-proposals-to-develop-railways-in-ireland/64592.article|access-date=2024-04-21|date=2023-07-26|work=Railway Gazette International}}</ref>

==== Western Rail Corridor ====
The first stage of the reopening of the [[Western Railway Corridor|Western Rail Corridor]], between [[Ennis railway station|Ennis]] and [[Athenry railway station|Athenry]], was completed in 2009. The section between Athenry and [[Claremorris railway station|Claremorris]] is recommended to be opened under the All Island Strategic Rail Review, and has been proposed by the Government as part of the [[Trans-European Transport Network]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/12/06/boost-for-mayo-as-rail-line-gains-approval-for-eu-funding-consideration/|title=Boost for Mayo as rail line gains approval for EU funding consideration|work=The Connacht Telegraph|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-date=29 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229214102/https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/12/06/boost-for-mayo-as-rail-line-gains-approval-for-eu-funding-consideration/|url-status=live}}</ref> The section between Claremorris and [[Collooney railway station|Collooney]] was not included under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.<ref name=RAILREVIEW/>

====Dublin-Navan railway line====
Phase One of the [[Dublin–Navan railway line]] was completed by Iarnród Éireann in September 2010, with Dublin's Western Commuter services travelling as far as [[Dunboyne]] and the [[M3 Parkway railway station]]. Phase Two of the line, connecting M3 Parkway to Navan via [[Dunshaughlin railway station|Dunshaughlin]] and [[Kilmessan]], was deferred following the [[Post-2008 Irish economic downturn]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2015-01-31 |title=Navan Railway Line |url=http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/navan-railway-line |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416002211/http://www.irishrail.ie/about-us/navan-railway-line |archive-date=2015-04-16 |access-date=2015-04-02 |website=Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail |publisher=Irish Rail}}</ref> The status of this proposal was downgraded from “implementation” to “review” in August 2019.<ref name="chronicle">{{cite web|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2019/08/26/4178700-planning-minister-asks-that-navan-rail-line-priority-be-downgraded/|title=Planning minister asks that Navan Rail line priority be downgraded|website=Meath Chronicle|date=26 August 2019|access-date=10 October 2019|archive-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010183952/https://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2019/08/26/4178700-planning-minister-asks-that-navan-rail-line-priority-be-downgraded/|url-status=live}}</ref> Construction of line was included under the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, 2022-2042.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.nationaltransport.ie/planning-and-investment/strategic-planning/greater-dublin-area-transport-strategy/ |title=Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, 2022-2042 |date=2023-01-24 |publisher=National Transportation Authority |access-date=2023-04-07 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407105321/https://www.nationaltransport.ie/planning-and-investment/strategic-planning/greater-dublin-area-transport-strategy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Waterford to Rosslare (closed)====
{{main|Limerick–Rosslare railway line}}
Prior to 2010, there was a single service each way from Waterford to Rosslare stretch, operated by 2700 Class railcars taking just over 1 hour. The service closed for passenger services on 18 September 2010. 
The reopening of the line is recommended to be opened under the All Island Strategic Rail Review,<ref name=RAILREVIEW/> and has been proposed by the Government as part of the [[Trans-European Transport Network]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/news/rosslare-waterford-railway-line-to-feature-in-ambitious-eu-plan/a79462427.html|title=Rosslare-Waterford railway line to feature in ambitious EU plan|work=The Irish Independent|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-date=29 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229214101/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/news/rosslare-waterford-railway-line-to-feature-in-ambitious-eu-plan/a79462427.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====DART and DART Underground====
{{Main|DART Underground}}
A proposed tunnel, connecting Heuston Station and Pearse Station and onwards to the Northern Commuter line, referred to as the DART Underground, is not planned to see any development until sometime "after 2042",<ref>{{Cite news |first=John |last=Kilraine |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2021/1109/1258759-metrolink/ |title=MetroLink postponed for ten years - NTA draft strategy |date=9 November 2021 |publisher=[[RTÉ News]] |website=rte.ie |accessdate=10 November 2021 |archive-date=9 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109154706/https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2021/1109/1258759-metrolink/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="convincedWillGoAhead">{{cite web | url = http://www.thejournal.ie/dart-underground-dublin-delays-2-3609701-Sep2017/ | publisher = TheJournal | title = 'We won't let go': Irish Rail is convinced the long-delayed Dart Underground will go ahead | date = 21 September 2017 | access-date = 28 February 2018 | archive-date = 28 March 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190328014402/https://www.thejournal.ie/dart-underground-dublin-delays-2-3609701-Sep2017/ | url-status = live }}</ref> but is recommended as a long-term intervention under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.<ref name=RAILREVIEW/>

====Foynes Port====
The [[Shannon Foynes Port]] Company has been seeking reinstatement of the [[Limerick to Foynes Railway Line]], which last operated in 2000,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fears-over-closure-of-foynes-rail-link-are-allayed-1.1048009|title=Fears over closure of Foynes rail link are allayed|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=20 January 2020|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924145611/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fears-over-closure-of-foynes-rail-link-are-allayed-1.1048009|url-status=live}}</ref> as part of their expansion plans. The route is under reconstruction and is due for reopening for freight in early 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/1303934/strides-made-in-reopening-foynes-to-limerick-rail-line-for-freight.html|title=Strides made in reopening Foynes to Limerick rail line for freight|work=Limerick Leader|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-date=29 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229214846/https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/1303934/strides-made-in-reopening-foynes-to-limerick-rail-line-for-freight.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Passenger services on the route are envisaged under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.<ref name=RAILREVIEW/>

====Dublin Metro====
{{Main|MetroLink (Dublin)}}
MetroLink is proposed to run from a stop, Estuary, near [[Swords, Dublin|Swords]] north of Dublin to the [[Beechwood Luas stop]] south of the city centre, via [[Dublin Airport]] and [[St. Stephen's Green]]. Its route proposes mainly elevated tracks in the greater Swords area, with a tunnel running from north of Dublin Airport to Charlemont. As of July 2022, the project was proposed to begin construction in {{update after|2026|1|1|text=2025}} and that, "all going well" it could be in operation by 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Long-delayed Dublin Metrolink to cost €9.5bn with first trains running by 2034 |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/long-delayed-dublin-metrolink-to-cost-95bn-with-first-trains-running-by-2034-41812666.html |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=independent |date=4 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416005508/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/long-delayed-dublin-metrolink-to-cost-95bn-with-first-trains-running-by-2034-41812666.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Luas====
There have been, at various points, plans or proposals to extend Luas to Swords, Dublin Airport, Lucan, Bray, and Old Fassaroe.

There have also been [[Cork Light Rail|proposals to create a Luas-style system]] in [[Cork City]]. These include plans by [[Cork City Council]], published within the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy document in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/take-the-opportunity-to-get-a-look-at-draft-transport-plan-for-cork-38161878.html |title=Take the opportunity to get a look at Draft Transport Plan for Cork |newspaper=[[Irish Independent]] |date=1 June 2019 |access-date=1 February 2024 |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608090539/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/take-the-opportunity-to-get-a-look-at-draft-transport-plan-for-cork-38161878.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Northern Ireland Railways====
The potential to reopen a number of railway lines in Northern Ireland has included speculation on such lines as the line between [[Antrim railway station|Antrim]] and [[Castledawson railway station|Castledawson]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/new-lines-proposed-in-northern-ireland-rail-strategy.html|title=New lines proposed in Northern Ireland rail plan|last=Barrow|first=Keith|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085211/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/new-lines-proposed-in-northern-ireland-rail-strategy.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/new-lines-proposed-in-northern-ireland-rail-strategy.html|title= New lines proposed in Northern Ireland rail plan|publisher= railjournal.com|date= 3 May 2014|access-date= 3 May 2015|archive-date= 24 September 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085211/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/europe/new-lines-proposed-in-northern-ireland-rail-strategy.html|url-status= live}}</ref>

The reopening of the [[Triple-track railway|third line]] between [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]] and [[Adelaide railway station (Northern Ireland)|Adelaide]] is suggested.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Third track at Adelaide - a Freedom of Information request to Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/third_track_at_adelaide#incoming-2820407 |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=WhatDoTheyKnow |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2020, during a [[North/South Ministerial Council]] meeting, it was proposed to undertake a feasibility study on a possible high-speed line between Belfast and Cork via Dublin.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Finn|first=Christina|title=Irish and NI governments to examine the possibility of a high-speed Belfast-Dublin-Cork rail line|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/high-speed-train-dublin-cork-belfast-5165066-Jul2020/|access-date=2020-08-01|website=TheJournal.ie|date=31 July 2020 |language=en|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802045739/https://www.thejournal.ie/high-speed-train-dublin-cork-belfast-5165066-Jul2020/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Station changes===
In February 2018 the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' reported that the [[National Transport Authority (Ireland)|National Transport Authority]] favoured building four new DART stations, three linked to a new DART operation from [[Heuston railway station|Heuston]], including near Cross Guns Bridge in Cabra, within [[Glasnevin railway station|Glasnevin]], and at a Docklands location, along with a new station north of Bray, at [[Woodbrook railway station|Woodbrook]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/new-dart-plan-backs-away-from-underground-route-36638480.html|title=New Dart plan backs away from underground route|work=The Irish Independent|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043409/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/new-dart-plan-backs-away-from-underground-route-36638480.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Calls to open or reopen stations on existing lines have been floated over the years, including [[Kishoge railway station]], which was structurally completed in 2009 but only opened in August 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2024/0826/1466736-kishoge/ | website = rte.ie | title = West Dublin train station opens 15 years after being built | date = 26 August 2024 }}</ref>

In Northern Ireland, Translink have opened new transport hubs in both Belfast (2024) called [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central Station]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Translink |url=https://www.translink.co.uk/usingtranslink/stationguide/belfastgrandcentralstation |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.translink.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.translink.co.uk/corporate/media/improvementsandprojects/thehub|title=The Hub|access-date=25 July 2021|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725063642/https://www.translink.co.uk/corporate/media/improvementsandprojects/thehub|url-status=live}}</ref> and Derry (2021) called the [[Derry ~ Londonderry railway station|Northwest Transport Hub]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=North West Hub |url=https://www.translink.co.uk/corporate/media/improvementsandprojects/northwesthub |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.translink.co.uk}}</ref>

===Stock changes===
In 2017, increasing demand led [[Iarnród Éireann]] to issue tenders for the refurbishment of 10 [[IE 2700 and 2750 Classes|2700 class]] sets, which had been held in storage for 6 years with the intention of planned use around [[Limerick, Ireland|Limerick]] from early 2019. The displaced trains are intended for use in the [[Transport in Dublin|Greater Dublin Area]].<ref name="Ode2a2700">{{cite news|title=Iarnród Éireann to refurbish 28 carriages after six years out of service|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/iarnrod-eireann-to-refurbish-28-carriages-after-six-years-out-of-service-799559.html|date=26 July 2018|access-date=9 September 2018|work=Irish Examiner|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909185446/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/iarnrod-eireann-to-refurbish-28-carriages-after-six-years-out-of-service-799559.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of early 2018, Iarnród Éireann announced plans to procure new DART trains capable of operating on both diesel and electric power. In 2021, supported by the National Transport Authority, Iarnród Éireann partnered with Alstom to develop new electric and battery-electric trains, which are scheduled to enter service in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rail |first=Irish |title=Iarnród Éireann News |url=https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/first-of-new-dart-trains-unveiled |website=Irish Rail |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DART+ DART+ Fleet |url=https://www.dartplus.ie/en-ie/projects/dart-fleet |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.dartplus.ie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/irish-rail-plans-bi-mode-train-order-for-dart-expansion.html|title=Irish Rail plans bi-mode train order for Dart expansion|last=Barrow|first=Keith|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=4 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404145147/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/irish-rail-plans-bi-mode-train-order-for-dart-expansion.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2018, NI Railways had plans to invest in a third wave of new trains to meet growing demand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways/also-on-ni-railways/ni-railways-50th-anniversary/|title=NI Railways 50th Anniversary – Translink|publisher=Translink|website=translink.co.uk|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409044620/http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways/also-on-ni-railways/ni-railways-50th-anniversary/|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{update inline|date=June 2020}}

As of 2018, a campaign was underway to preserve four 80 Class vehicles at the [[Downpatrick and County Down Railway]], with hopes of bringing them to the heritage railway by the end of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.downrail.co.uk/donate/dcdr80class/|title=Save an 80 class! {{!}} Downpatrick & County Down Railway|website=www.downrail.co.uk|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408141524/http://www.downrail.co.uk/donate/dcdr80class/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2018, one of the two [[Cavan and Leitrim Railway]] steam locomotives, No. 3 <nowiki>''Lady Edith''</nowiki>, was proposed to be repatriated by the [[West Clare Railway]] (from the [[New Jersey Museum of Transportation]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/steam-railway-uk/20170421/281883003212770|title=PressReader - Steam Railway (UK): 2017-04-21 - US TAXMAN WANTS a CUT OF LADY EDIth's REPATRIATION|via=PressReader|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816063735/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/steam-railway-uk/20170421/281883003212770|url-status=live}}</ref>{{update inline|date=June 2020}}

==See also==
{{colbegin}}
* [[List of heritage railways in Northern Ireland]]
* [[List of heritage railways in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[Irish Sea Tunnel]]
* [[Rail Users Ireland]]
* [[Rail gauge in Ireland]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Michael H. C. |title=Irish Railways: The Last 60 Years |series=World Railways Series, Vol 4 |date=2022 |publisher=Key Publishing |location=Stamford, Lincs, UK |isbn=9781802821642 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmPwzgEACAAJ |access-date=15 April 2023 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415050506/https://books.google.com/books?id=DmPwzgEACAAJ |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last1=Pritchard |first1=R. N. |title=Irish Railways: Locomotives, Multiple Units & Trams |series=European Handbook, No. 7 |date=2020 |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |location=Sheffield |isbn=9781909431461 |edition=4th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kTj9zQEACAAJ |access-date=15 April 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506022252/https://books.google.com/books?id=kTj9zQEACAAJ |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Rail travel in Ireland}}
{{commons category|Rail transport in Ireland}}
* [http://www.irishrail.ie Website of Iarnrod Éireann (Irish Rail)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130620110141/http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/NI-Railways/ Website of Northern Ireland Railways]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040703060946/http://www.rpa.ie/ Railway Procurement Agency]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060111183507/http://www.dto.ie/platform.pdf Platform For Change (Dublin Transportation Office)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061108125034/http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/3230-0.pdf Strategic Rail Review 2003 (Department of Transport)]
* [http://www.railusers.ie/ Rail Users Ireland – Ireland's National Rail User organisation]
* [http://eiretrains.com/ Eiretrains – Irish Railways Past & Present]

{{Rail transport in Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rail Transport In Ireland}}
[[Category:Rail transport in Ireland| ]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Northern Ireland| ]]
[[Category:Rail transport in the Republic of Ireland| ]]