Pre-booking for intercity travel is strongly advised.
Iarnród Éireann has published the changes that are coming to Irish rail services this Christmas and New Year.
Cancellations, alterations, and changes of plan are all on the cards for this year’s holiday season.
The rail service is also expecting a strong demand for Intercity services, and are recommending that passengers pre-book their journeys to avoid disappointment.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Christmas Eve (24 December)
Weekday InterCity services will be available but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes, with last services between 6pm and 8.30pm.
DART & Dublin Commuter will operate a Saturday service until between 7pm and 9pm.
Cork Commuter will operate a Saturday service until 6.30pm.
Christmas Day (25 December) and St Stephen’s Day (26 December)
There will be no train services operating.
Monday (27 December)
Revised and reduced InterCity services will be in place, so be sure to check times before travel.
The Sunday service will be used on DART and Dublin Commuter routes, with some alterations.
The Sunday service will also be available on Cork Commuter routes.
A reduced service is in place on the Portlaoise Commuter route.
There will be no service on the Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) route.
Tuesday to Thursday (28-30 December)
The Weekday InterCity service will be in place but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes.
Saturday service on DART, Dublin Commuter, and Cork Commuter services.
The Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service.
New Year’s Eve (31 December)
The Weekday InterCity service will be in place but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes, with last services between 6pm and 8.30pm.
DART & Dublin Commuter will operate a Saturday service until between 7pm and 9pm.
Cork Commuter will operate a Saturday service until 6.30pm.
Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch & Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service until 7pm.
Late-night services which had been planned for New Year’s Eve night will not operate due to early closing of hospitality and the cancellation of Dublin’s New Year Festival.
New Year’s Day (1 January 2022)
Revised and reduced InterCity services will be in place, so be sure to check times before travel.
Sunday service is in place on DART & Dublin Commuter routes, with minor alterations.
Sunday service will be on the Cork Commuter routes.
A reduced service is in place on the Portlaoise Commuter route.
There will be no service on Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) route.
Sunday (2 January)
The Sunday InterCity service is in place but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes.
Normal Sunday service on DART, Commuter, and Cork Commuter services
Monday (3 January)
Revised InterCity and Heuston Commuter services are in place, so check times before travelling.
Sunday service on DART, Dublin Commuter, and Cork Commuter services.
Tuesday (4 January)
Normal service resumes on all routes.
You can book tickets for railway services via the Iarnród Éireann website.
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