Iarnród Éireann, under the National Development Plan, is undertaking an unprecedented level of investment in the national rail network throughout 2024. This includes a wide range of projects focused on both upgrades and essential maintenance across the country.
While most works are scheduled to occur overnight to avoid impacting passengers, certain essential infrastructure upgrades — such as track replacements, bridge works, signalling improvements, and overhead line renewals — may cause unavoidable disruption. Additionally, assistance with major third-party developments can occasionally result in temporary service alterations.
To minimise disruption, Iarnród Éireann employs several strategies:
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Peak-time services on the busiest lines are prioritised, with weekday and rush-hour works generally avoided.
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Planning is coordinated around major national events, including sports, music, and cultural festivals, which continue to increase in frequency and scale.
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Bank Holiday weekends are strategically selected for large-scale works, allowing for efficient progress while limiting weekday impacts. Notably, no works are scheduled during St Patrick’s weekend due to its tourism significance. Bank Holidays in February (St Brigid’s), Easter, May, June, October, and occasionally August are typically used.
Although additional smaller-scale or time-specific projects (such as early morning or late-night service impacts) may occur, this summary outlines the key disruptive works scheduled up to the end of November 2024, as of 21st March. Updates will follow as further works are confirmed or modified due to events or funding changes.
Note: Bold text highlights works extending into weekdays. Italics indicate Translink-coordinated projects.
| Dates | Line Closed | Works | Services Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 1st to Monday 3rd June (June Bank Holiday) | Drogheda Station | Track and overhead line works for battery-electric trains | Drogheda Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th June | Athlone to Ballinasloe | Bridge renewal works | Heuston to Galway |
| Saturdays 8th & 15th June (evenings) | Mallow to Tralee | Bridge maintenance works | Mallow to Tralee |
| Sunday 9th June | Dun Laoghaire to Greystones | Track renewal, train protection system works | Southside DART, Connolly to Rosslare |
| Saturdays 15th & 22nd June (evenings) | Ballinasloe to Athenry | Track renewal works | Heuston to Galway |
| Sunday 23rd June | Sutton | Level crossing renewal works | Howth to Howth Junction |
| Saturday 29th to Sunday 30th June | Ballybrophy to Limerick (via Nenagh) | Culvert repair works | Ballybrophy to Limerick (via Nenagh) |
| July to December (Mondays to Wednesdays – 20:00hrs onwards) | Glounthaune to Midleton | Track works for new second track | Glounthaune to Midleton |
| July to August (dates TBC) | Lisburn to Belfast | Translink works associated with new Belfast Grand Central Station | Belfast Enterprise |
| Saturdays and Sundays 13th & 14th, 27th & 28th July | Ballybrophy to Limerick (via Nenagh) | Culvert repair works | Ballybrophy to Limerick (via Nenagh) |
| Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th August (August Bank Holiday) | Malahide to Drogheda | Track renewal | Drogheda Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| Saturday 10th to Sunday 11th August | Ballybrophy to Limerick (via Nenagh) | Culvert repair works | Ballybrophy to Limerick (via Nenagh) |
| Saturday 24th August (evening) | Ballina to Manulla | Bridge renewal works | Ballina to Manulla |
| September to October , Mondays to Thursdays (affecting 21:00hrs Heuston to Cork only) | Mallow to Cork | Cork area commuter rail works | Mallow to Cork |
| Saturday 14th to Sunday 15th September | Dun Laoghaire to Greystones | Track works, overhead line renewal, Woodbrook Station works | Southside DART, Connolly to Rosslare |
| Saturday 21st September (evening) | Portarlington to Tullamore | Ballast cleaning | Heuston to Galway/Westport |
| Saturday 21st September (evening) | Limerick to Ennis | Bridge renewal | Limerick to Ennis, Limerick to Galway |
| Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th September | Grand Canal Dock to Greystones | Track works, overhead line renewal, Woodbrook Station works | Southside DART, Connolly to Rosslare |
| Saturday 12th October (evening) | Athlone to Ballinasloe | Ballast cleaning | Heuston to Galway |
| Saturday 26th to Monday 28th October (October Bank Holiday) | Clontarf Road to Dundalk | Track works, ballast cleaning, overhead line renewal, | Northside DART, Drogheda Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| Saturday 26th to Monday 28th October (October Bank Holiday) | Clonsilla to M3 Parkway | Track and drainage works | Clonsilla to M3 Parkway |
| Saturday 2nd November (evening) | Portlaoise to Thurles | Track renewal | Heuston to Cork / Limerick / Kerry |
| Saturdays 2nd & 9th November (evenings) | Limerick to Limerick Junction | Ballast cleaning | Limerick to Limerick Junction |
| Saturday 16th November (evening) | Claremorris to Westport/Ballina | Ballast cleaning | Claremorris to Westport/Ballina |
| Saturday 23rd to Sunday 24th November | Ceannt Station, Galway | New points and crossings installation | Athenry to Galway |
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Our Partners
- FR2 Infrastructure – Constructability advise and project and planning controls
- Staging Diagrams – Staging diagrams for possession planning
Possession Planning – Current Possession Calendars
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