# Irish Rail
Last month
May 2023
# choo choo
Quiz: Can you name these Irish train stations from aerial photographs?
With many renovations coming to train stations soon – we want to know just how well do you know your train stations?
# DART Coastal North
Iarnród Éireann says it will not cut off Howth during Dart extension despite local concerns
The DART+ Coastal North programme will cost an estimated €600 million and be completed in 2029 at the earliest.
This year
2023
# rail-ey good news
Tea trolley services spotted on trains as on board catering returns on 'sporadic' basis
Catering services will be up and running on the Cork to Dublin line by “late May at the latest”, but its return to all routes is a long way down the tracks.
# Your Say
Poll: Have you ever used the catering service on Iarnród Éireann?
Iarnród Éireann is reintroducing catering on some trains this week.
THE MORNING LEAD
'It doesn't have to be expensive': Eamon Ryan says 'idle' rail lines could be revived
Ryan suggested that some rail lines could be reopened easily and at at low expense.
Ryan has said there are rail lines that could be opened easily and at little cost.
He said an existing lines from Rosslare, through Waterford on to Limerick Junction was one example.
All-Island Strategic Review is ready to be published should Stormont return.
# All aboard
Irish Rail confirms catering services will be back from April - but only on Cork-Dublin route
The trolley service was withdrawn as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.
# All aboard
Irish Rail confirm a return to carriage catering is coming down the tracks
The trolley service was suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
# back on track
Review of Ireland's rail network set to propose restoring old lines in place of greenways
The All Island Strategic Rail Review is expected to be published in the coming months.
The review was jointly commissioned by governments north and south in 2021.
Draft proposals are understood to involve long-dormant lines in the west and southeast being returned to use.
A line between Letterkenny and Derry is believed to also figure, although the plan's implementation will require the return of Stormont.
# Public Transport
Bus passenger numbers on public transport network return to pre-pandemic levels
In November 2022, Bus Eireann carried 3.5 million passengers, surpassing comparable figures from 2019.
Last year
2022
# Irish Rail
Iarnród Éireann has 6% average hourly gender pay gap in favour of women
Women also make up significant proportions of the company’s upper middle and upper positions.
# Dunkirk
French port examining new Irish routes after being 'pushed' towards Ireland due to Brexit
It is eyeing stronger links with Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort while creating new routes with southern ports.
# christmas travel
Late-night DART and Commuter Christmas rail services kick off this weekend
Services will run each Friday and Saturday from now until Christmas Eve.
# Public Transport
Irish Rail lodging An Bord Pleanála application for major upgrade to Cork rail network
Irish Rail plans to build a second track along the line between Glounthaune and Midleton in Cork.
# RIP
Passenger dies after becoming seriously ill on Waterford to Dublin train
The train was stopped at a level crossing for several hours as the man received assistance.
# Courts
Probation for teen who caused girl to fall off Dart platform after pushing his bike at her
Judge Nolan said the boy’s behaviour, while “reprehensible”, had not been intentional.
# Rail Disruption
Irish Rail customers face 'significant disruption' this weekend due to engineering works
It will see lines closed between Portarlington and Limerick Junction, and Dun Laoghaire and Wicklow.
# rail death
One person killed after being struck by a train last night in Co Meath
It happened last night at the northern end of the Gormanston Station.
# Irish Rail
DART services between Dun Laoghaire and Greystones closed for weekend
Irish Rail has apologised for any inconvenience caused.
# rail network
Over 760 anti-social behaviour incidents on train services reported in first six months of year
The incidents included multiple reports of fighting, soiling, sexual harassment, lewd behaviour and hate incidents.
# Investigation
Irish Rail CEO issues apology as full probe ordered into Bray Dart 'chaos'
Thousands had descended on Bray for the annual air show.
# dart+ west
Application on track to extend Dart out to Maynooth and Meath
The plans include 40km of electrification and resignalling along the Maynooth and M3 parkway rail lines.
# Wicklow
Major DART delays after passengers on stalled trains outside Bray force open doors
Some customers warned people on board the trains were close to fainting due to the heat.
# dart+ west
Planning application for Dart+ West to be lodged 'later this summer'
Under Dart+ West, a new station would be built at Spencer Dock alongside a new access point to Connolly Station from Preston Street.
# Irish Rail
Over 40 Irish Rail station elevators put out of service by anti-social behavior in 2021
Irish Rail reported more than 500 faults with elevators in 2021 with the majority of those resulting in lifts being unusable.
# Irish Rail
Iarnród Éireann urges caution at level crossings as incidents rise by 74%
The company has warned of a number of worrying collisions this year so far.
# rail-y important
Travelling by train this Bank Holiday? Irish Rail says pre-booking is now 'essential'
The rail provider expects significant numbers of people to use their service this weekend.
# Irish Rail
Irish Rail says on-board catering services unlikely to return until 2023 at the earliest
The company said it had been unable to tender a new contract with catering provider RailGourmet.
# Trained Up
Irish Rail to hire onboard officers to enforce seat reservations and help disabled passengers
The offered salary starts at €31,000 per year.
# Recruitment Drive
Fancy being a train driver? Iarnród Éireann is launching a major recruitment drive
Up to 80 driver jobs are up for grabs.
# Plan Ahead
Dart services between Grand Canal and Greystones suspended this Easter bank holiday weekend
Irish Rail has advised customers that revised timetables are in place on all routes, with bus transfers serving lines that have been closed.
# Delays
Passengers travelling on some Irish Rail services experience delays due to 'security alert'
The PSNI and gardaí carried out “precautionary security checks” on trains travelling between Belfast and Dublin.
# merrion level crossing
Delays to Dublin rail services after tractor hits level crossing
There were delays of 50 minutes following the incident at the Merrion Gates.
# Irish Rail
Policy needed to focus on customer response rather than train rescues, Irish Rail report says
Two engine failures caused major delays on an inter-city service last year.
# Rail Disruption
Irish Rail cancels services due to Covid-19 infections and close contact staff absences
The rail service cancellations are centred around Leinster.
All time
# Irish Rail
Irish Rail passengers stuck in Portlaoise for several hours following mechanical fault
Passengers on the 12.25 train were then moved to a separate train, with Irish Rail issuing an apology to impacted passengers.
# Strike
Irish Rail workers back use of industrial action over 'downright thuggery' on trains
Union members raised concerns over antisocial behaviour on trains.
# Public Transport
€91.5 million funding to help cut Dublin-Cork rail journey by 8-10 minutes
The improvements are also intended to “futureproof” the line to accommodate 200 km/h speeds.
# Courts
Spanish student in court over graffiti attack on train carriage at Clontarf Dart station
Enrique Martin Gutierrez, 20, of Calle de Frias, Burgas, Spain, was arrested yesterday.
# Clontarf
Man due in court over criminal damage incident at Dublin station
The incident occurred at around 7.20pm yesterday.
# Irish Rail
Late night train and Dart services to run from Friday for the festive season
Irish Rail said the services will be timed to align with the midnight closure of hospitality under current Covid measures.
