Planning lodged for Dunkettle railway station
Iarnród Éireann has today lodged a planning application for the development of a new train station at Dunkettle, just weeks after making an application for an additional new station at Blackpool in Cork.
The two new stations are the first of eight set to be delivered under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which will transform rail services in the Cork region by building to a ten-minute frequency across all three lines of the Commuter network.
Dunkettle Station is set to be a major park and ride, strategically located near Dunkettle Interchange, providing easy access to major roads such as the M8 and N25 and helping to ease congestion on this critical intersection and intercept traffic before it enters the city.
The new Dunkettle station will:
- Be served by two commuter lines, Cork-Cobh and Cork-Midleton, providing an initial 15-minute service for Dunkettle catchment with a significant service uplift expected following completion of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme of works, up to every 5 minutes each way.
- Provide a 300 space Park & Ride facility alongside the new station, with scope for additional parking capacity to be introduced on a phased basis, based on demand, streamlining connections from the surrounding areas.
- Be fully accessible with two platforms connected by a pedestrian footbridge from either side of the railway via stairs and accessible lifts.
Enhancing the Cork rail network’s capacity and resilience via accelerated delivery of Blackpool and Dunkettle Stations is essential to supporting projected passenger numbers and promoting rail transport as a strong alternative to the private car.
The proposed station developments at Dunkettle and Blackpool are located on existing Iarnród Éireann land offering the opportunity for accelerated development and additional rail capacity both North and East of the city in advance of delivery of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
Construction of the stations is expected to commence in 2027 and take up to two years to complete, subject to planning approvals and funding allocation.
Iarnród Éireann is also set to apply for planning, via a Railway Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year, for electrification of the Cork network, an additional six stations and a depot for the new fleet.
About CACR
The Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme is a key part of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040, developed by the National Transport Authority in partnership with Cork City and County Councils and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This transformative investment will enhance the heavy rail network across the region, connecting Mallow, Cork, Cobh, and Midleton, with increased train capacity, frequency, and new stations.
Now designated critical infrastructure, Iarnród Éireann will be able to accelerate delivery of this transformative package of projects, bringing a high capacity, high frequency and more sustainable rail network more quickly to Cork.
Phase 1 Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme
Works on Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme are well advanced. In 2025 the new €23 million platform 6 at Kent Station opened. Funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the platform marked the delivery of the first element of the overall Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, potentially worth over €1 billion. Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme incorporates the new platform, together with the RRF-funded Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track, set for completion in 2026, and Cork area signalling and communications upgrade, set for completion in 2027.
This phase will deliver the network capacity to allow for significant increase in train service frequency on each of Cork’s three commuter lines: to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow.
Phase 2 Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme
As well as enhancing access to sustainable public transport for new and existing communities, Cork Area Commuter Rail will alleviate road congestion and build a more connected, efficient, and safe rail network, supporting our transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society, less reliant on private cars.
Phase 2 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which includes an additional 6 new stations, electrification and a new fleet maintenance depot completed its second round of non-statutory Public Consultation in June 2026, with Railway Order application expected by the end of 2026.
Further project details can be found at www.irishrail.ie/cacr.
Proposed New Blackpool Station
The proposed new Blackpool Station entering planning in April 2026 and will provide a sustainable transport option for the existing and future local community, supporting the regeneration of the wider Blackpool area and complementing the established rail services to the East of the city.
Located near the historic Blackpool Station, bounded by Dublin Hill Road and Redforge Road, the new station will:
- Be serviced by up to 10 trains daily with ambition to increase service level further following completion of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme
- Feature two platforms connected by a pedestrian footbridge from either side of the railway via stairs and accessible lifts
- Provide for accessible parking spaces, motorcycle parking, a bus/taxi/car set down areas, bicycle stands and bicycle lockers.
- Include the infrastructure required to support a fully electrified network
Overall programme status
| Phase 1 - Projects underway | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Kent Station Platform |
|
| Signalling & Communications Project |
|
| Glounthaune to Midleton Twin-Track Project |
|
| Phase 2 | Current Status |
New Stations (and existing station improvements) New Depot Electrification |
|