Construction Tender to Extend Platforms between Limerick & Athenry Issued

Iarnród Éireann has today issued tender documents for the construction of platform extensions at all stations along the Limerick to Athenry section of the rail network. 

Platforms at Sixmilebridge, Ennis, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell will be extended to allow the running of 6 car Intercity services, significantly increasing available passenger capacity on Limerick to Galway route. 

Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell platforms will receive 55m extensions to meet the 145m platform requirement to support a 6-car Intercity train. At Ennis, platform 2 will receive a 12m extension.

Track enabling works are underway and the main construction contract is expected to be awarded before the end of 2026. Main construction works are expected to begin in Q1 2027 and be completed in Q4 2027. The platforms are expected to enter service by the end of 2027.

Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said: "Delivery of this project will provide the infrastructure to support longer services and therefore, increased capacity, for customers between Limerick and Athenry. Accelerated delivery of these important infrastructure interventions on our network ensures we can provide a more sustainable transport option to more communities more quickly, helping to deliver on the vision set out in our Rail 2050 Strategy.”

Platform extensions at Sixmilebridge, Ennis, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell are essential for Iarnród Éireann to ultimately increase service and capacity levels between Galway, Ennis and Limerick. Through the completion of the platform extensions alongside allocation of addition rolling stock as the new DART+ fleet enter service in the greater Dublin area, a significant uplift in capacity can be achieved.

Trailing the CO₂ Performance Ladder

This is Iarnród Éireann’s first construction contract to incorporate the CO₂ Performance Ladder, a carbon management and procurement tool that encourages suppliers to measure emissions, set reduction targets and demonstrate progress. It gives suppliers a commercial incentive to reduce carbon emissions by linking commitments made directly to the marks available for award in a tender, a first for Iarnród Éireann.