Upcoming Line Improvement Works
06 January 2026
Here you will find a complete list of planned engineering works and changes to Iarnród Éireann rail services.
- Upcoming Line Improvement Works
- Preview of Upcoming Major works
- Night-time Track Works
- Accessibility on Iarnród Éireann Services
- Catering on Rail Iarnród Éireann Services
- Bus Transfer Arrangements
- How can I reserve a seat on an Iarnród Éireann Service?
Upcoming Line Improvement Works
Upcoming Line Improvements
Major works preview 2026
With record investment in our rail network under the National Development Plan, Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking a range of projects, as well as essential maintenance, right across our lines.
Major projects which will be progressed this year include:
- Cork Area Commuter Rail projects, including twin-tracking of the Midleton line and resignalling works which - together with the completed new platform at Kent Station - will treble the capacity for Cork commuter rail services
- Works on the new Ceannt Station, Galway, and relocated Plunkett Station, Waterford
- Works on second platform at Oranmore and associated track works
- DART+ works for recharging facilities for new trains at Drogheda
- DART+ West enabling works on Maynooth and M3 Parkway lines
- Limerick to Foynes line
- Continuing overhead line renewal works on the DART network
- Systems testing for the new National Train Control Centre
- Track renewal work, bridge replacemement, points and crossing renewals and other essential infrastructure maintenance and renewal works in a range of locations
While the vast majority of works take place overnight, or in a way that sees little or no disruption to services, in some instances disruption is unavoidable. In particular, this will happen if we’re replacing or improving essential infrastructure like tracks, bridges, signalling, overhead lines, or helping third parties with major plans.
So we need to plan these works to deliver improvements to our customers, but there can be unavoidable disruption too. We work to ensure that any such disruption is minimised, and that the number of customers affected is minimised too.
We do this in a number of ways:
- We try to ensure that our busiest lines are unaffected at the busiest times, so weekday works, and particularly at peak, are avoided
- We work to plan the works which must happen, and look at events which take place around the country too. Major sports, music, cultural and other entertainment is always considered. This poses challenges – we’re busier with works than ever before, but there are more events than ever before too
- We choose selected Bank Holiday weekends to undertake projects of significant scale – the extra weekend day allows us to achieve more progress more efficiently, while avoiding impacting those crucial weekday customers. We don’t schedule works at St Patrick’s weekend, which is particularly important for tourism. However, the February, Easter, May, June, August and October Bank Holidays are often used for works
So, while we will have other works which may affect individual services, or late evening / early morning services in some instances, this is the current schedule (as of 7th January 2026) of major disruptive works for the early weeks of 2026. This is subject to further change (for example, works programmes revisions or confirmations, new events or additional investment funding can result in revisions). Our full 2026 works schedule will be confirmed during January.
(bold = weekday services affected; italics = Translink works)
| Date | Section | Works | Services affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Jan to 28th March (Mon to Thurs, 08:00hrs-14:30hrs only) | Waterford Station | Flood defence works | Waterford to Kilkenny, Waterford to Carrick-on-Suir |
| 5th Jan to 29th July (Mon to Weds, 22:45hrs onwards only) | Glounthaune to Midleton / Cobh | CACR Twin-tracking and signalling projects | Cork to Midleton / Cobh |
| 31st Jan to 2nd Feb (February Bank Holiday) | Connolly to Drogheda / Howth | Track renewal, level crossing renewal | Northside DART, Drogheda Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| 31st Jan to 2nd Feb (February Bank Holiday) | Portarlington to Athlone | Track renewal, station works | Dublin Heuston to Galway, Dublin Heuston to Westport/Ballina |
| 31st Jan to 2nd Feb (February Bank Holiday) | Thurles to Cork / Tralee (Sat 30th) Charleville to Cork / Tralee (Sun 31st & Mon 1st) | Bridge renewal, CACR signalling | Dublin to Cork / Kerry / Limerick; Mallow to Cork; Tralee to Cork |
| 7th (14:00hrs) to 8th (08:00hrs) February | Claremorris to Ballyhaunis | Track renewal | Ballyhaunis to Westport/Ballina |
| 9th (14:00hrs) to 19th February | Ballymote | Platform works | Ballymote Station only (trains will operate and will not serve Ballymote) |
| 21st to 22nd February | Connolly to Malahide / Howth | Track renewal, platform works | Northside DART, Drogheda Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| 28th Feb (19:00hrs) to 1st March ) 11:00hrs | Connolly to Maynooth | DART+ platform works | Dublin to Maynooth, Dublin to Sligo |
| 7th (13:00hrs) to 8th (08:00hrs) March | Tullamore to Ballinasloe / Roscommon | Bridge renewal works | Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Westport / Ballina |
| 7th (18:00hrs) to 8th (10:00hrs) March | Heuston to Kildare | Platform works | All routes to/from Heuston |
| 3rd (20:00hrs) to 6th (10:00hrs) April (Easter) | Portarlington to Galway | Track renewal, bridge renewal, Oranmore and Ceannt Station works | Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Westport/Ballina |
| 4th to 6th April (Easter) | Connolly to Dun Laoghaire | Overhead line renewal, retaining wall renewal, platform works | Southside DART, Connolly to Rosslare |
| 4th to 5th April (Easter) | Charleville to Cork /Tralee, Glounthaune to Cobh | CACR signalling works, track works | Dublin to Cork / Kerry, Mallow to Cork, Tralee to Cork, Cork to Cobh |
| 4th (20:00hrs) to 5th April (Easter) | Cork to Midleton | Twin-track works | Cork to Midleton |
| 5th April (to 13:00hrs only) | Limerick to Limerick Junction | Ballast cleaning | Limerick to Limerick Junction |
| 7th to 10th April (09:00hrs to 17:00hrs only) | Limerick to Ennis | Ballast cleaning | Limerick to Ennis, Limerick to Galway |
| 18th to 19th (to 08:00hrs only) April | Castlerea to Claremorris | Bridge maintenance | Dublin to Westport |
| 24th (22:00hrs) to 26th (10:00hrs) April | Limerick Junction to Mallow | Culvert renewal | Dublin to Cork / Kerry |
| 2nd to 4th May (May Bank Holiday) | Connolly to Drogheda / Howth | Track renewal, overhead line renewal, platform works | Northside DART, Northern Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| 2nd to 4th May (May Bank Holiday) | Cork to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow (Mallow 2nd to 3rd only) | CACR signalling works, track works | Cork to Cobh / Midleton / Mallow, Cork to Dublin, Cork to Tralee |
| 2nd (18:00hrs) to 3rd (08:00hrs) May (Bank Holiday) | Claremorris to Westport / Ballina | Ballast cleaning | Dublin to Westport / Ballina |
| 9th to 10th (17:00hrs) May | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) | Bridge maintenance | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) |
| 16th to 17th (10:00hrs) May | Limerick to Ennis | Bridge renewal | Limerick to Ennis, Limerick to Galway |
| 23rd to 24th (16:00hrs) May | Limerick to Limerick Junction | Culvert installation | Limerick to Limerick Junction |
| 23rd (17:00hrs) to 24th (10:00hrs) May | Thurles to Portlaoise | Track renewal | Dublin to Cork / Kerry |
| 23rd to 24th (10:00hrs) May | Claremorris to Westport / Ballina | Excavation works | Dublin to Westport / Ballina |
| 23rd (18:00hrs) to 24th (08:00hrs) May | Portarlington to Athlone | Ballast cleaning | Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Westport / Ballina |
| 30th to 31st May (June Bank Holiday) | Connolly to Bray | Track renewal, retaining wall works | Southside DART, Connolly to Rosslare |
| 30th to 31st May (June Bank Holiday) | Drogheda to Dundalk | Track renewal, cutting and embankment works | Dublin to Dundalk, Dublin to Belfast Enterprise |
| 30th (18:00hrs) to 31st (08:00hrs) May (June Bank Holiday) | Portlarlington to Athlone Athenry to Galway | Ballast cleaning, Oranmore and Ceannt Station works | Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Westport |
| 6th to 7th (17:00hrs) June | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) | Bridge maintenance | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) |
| 6th (13:00hrs) to 7th (08:00hrs) June | Maynooth to Dromod | Track renewal, culvert renewal | Dublin to Sligo |
| 6th (18:00hrs) to 7th (08:00hrs) June | Athlone to Ballinasloe | Track renewal | Dublin to Galway |
| 13th to 14th June | Cork to Cobh / Midleton | CACR signalling | Cork to Cobh / Midleton |
| 13th (18:00hrs) to 14th (08:00hrs) June | Athenry to Galway | Ceannt Station works | Dublin to Galway |
| 20th (18:00hrs) to 21st (08:00hrs) June | Portarlington to Athlone | Ballast Cleaning | Dublin to Galway, Dublin to Westport |
| 27th (13:00hrs) to 28th (08:00hrs) June | Woodlawn to Athenry, Gort to Athenry | Points and crossings renewal | Dublin to Galway, Limerick to Galway |
| 4th to 5th (09:00hrs) July | Boyle to Sligo | Culvert renewal | Dublin to Sligo |
| 4th and 11th (18:00hrs) to 5th and 12th (08:00hrs) July | Athlone to Ballinasloe | Ballast cleaning | Dublin to Galway |
| 18th to 19th (10:00hrs) July | Manulla to Ballina | Bridge renewal | Manulla to Ballina |
| 1st to 3rd August (August Bank Holiday) | Hazelhatch to Newbridge, Portlaoise | Track renewal, points and crossings renewal | All routes to/from Dublin Heuston |
| 8th to 9th August | Dublin to Maynooth | DART+ West enabling works | Dublin to Maynooth, Dublin to Sligo |
| 8th to 9th (17:00hrs) and 29th to 30th (17:00hrs) August | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) | Culvert renewal | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) |
| 29th (19:00hrs) to 30th (09:00hrs) August | Dromod to Sligo | Bridge maintenance | Dublin to Sligo |
| 5th September | Heuston to Hazelhatch | Track renewal | All routes to/from Dublin Heuston |
| 5th (14:00hrs) to 6th (08:00hrs) September | Limerick to Limerick Junction | Ballast cleaning | Limerick to Limerick Junction |
| 12th to 13th September | Dun Laoghaire to Greystones | Overhead line renewal, coastal defence works | Southside DART, Dublin to Rosslare |
| 12th to 13th September | Clonsilla to Maynooth | DART+ West enabling works | Dublin to Maynooth, Dublin to Sligo |
| 18th (23:00hrs) to 20th (07:00hrs) September | Kildare to Thurles | Points renewal, track renewal, culvert renewal | Dublin to Portlaoise Commuter, Dublin to Cork / Kerry / Limerick / Galway / Westport |
| 19th & 26th (14:00hrs) to 20th & 27th (08:00hrs) September | Limerick to Limerick Junction | Ballast cleaning | Limerick to Limerick Junction |
| 26th to 27th (09:00hrs) September | Portlaoise to Limerick Junction | Bridge maintenance | Dublin to Cork / Kerry / Limerick |
| 26th to 27th (10:00hrs) September | Manulla to Ballina | Bridge renewal | Manulla to Ballina |
| 3rd to 4th October | Dun Laoghaire to Greystones | Overhead line renewal, coastal defence works | Southside DART, Dublin to Rosslare |
| 3rd to 4th October | Charleville to Cork / Tralee | CACR signalling works | Dublin to Cork / Tralee |
| 10th to 11th October | Clonsilla to Maynooth | DART+ West enabling works | Dublin to Maynooth, Dublin to Sligo |
| 10th to 11th (17:00hrs) October | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) | Culvert renewal | Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) |
| 10th (19:00hrs) to 11th (09:00hrs) October | Longford to Dromod | Ballast cleaning | Dublin to Sligo |
| 17th to 18th October | Connolly to Malahide / Howth | Track and overhead line works | Northside DART, Northern Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| 17th to 18th October | Cork to Cobh / Midleton | CACR signalling works | Cork to Cobh / Midleton |
| 17th to 18th and 24th to 26th (Bank Holiday) October | Limerick Station area, Limerick to Limerick Jctn / Killonan | Works associated with completion and commissioning of Limerick to Foynes line | Limerick to Limerick Junction, Limerick to Ballybrophy (via Nenagh), Limerick to Ennis |
| 24th to 26th October (October Bank Holiday) | Grand Canal Dock to Bray | Bridge renewal, track renewal, retaining wall works, platform works | Southside DART, Dublin to Rosslare |
| 24th to 26th October (October Bank Holiday) | Howth to Howth Junction | Overhead line renewal | Howth to Howth Junction |
| 24th to 26th October (October Bank Holiday) | Malahide to Dundalk | Track renewal, vegetation works | Northern Commuter, Belfast Enterprise |
| 23rd (23:00hrs) to 25th (08:00hrs) October | Portlaoise to Thurles | Track renewal | Dublin to Cork / Kerry / Limerick |
| 31st October to 1st November | Clonsilla to M3 Parkway | DART+ West enabling works | Clonsilla to M3 Parkway |
| 31st October to 1st November, 14th to 15th and 21st to 22nd November | Cork to Cobh / Midleton | CACR signalling works | Cork to Cobh / Midleton |
| 14th to 15th November | Grand Canal Dock to Bray | Track renewal, points and crossing renewal, level crossing resurfacing | Southside DART, Dublin to Rosslare |
Check out our video below to learn more about the work being carried out to maintain our railway network during 2026.
Accessibility on Iarnród Éireann Services
We are better able to assist you if you contact us as far in advance as possible, but try to give at least 24-hours' notice of your journey. You can contact us by emailing access@irishrail.ie or call (01) 836 6222 (Monday to Friday 07:00hrs - 19:00hrs and 08:00hrs - 18:00hrs Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays).
For further information please visit our Accessibility section.
For DART Accessibility information, please see our new DART Accessibility section.
Catering on Rail Iarnród Éireann Services
For more information on our Catering services please see our Catering Page.
Bus Transfer Arrangements
Bus transfers are operated by Third Party Companies as a result Iarnród Éireann cannot guarantee there will be toilet facilities on-board. Passengers are advised to use the toilet facilities in the station before travelling. Please note Guide / Assistance dogs and small lap dogs can be facilitated on board bus transfers in line with our Travelling with Animals policy.
How can I reserve a seat on an Iarnród Éireann Service?
For information on how to buy a Free Travel Pass or Valid Ticket please see our 'Guide to buying online'.
Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail apologise for any inconvenience caused.
