Public consultation for Navan Railway extended to 17th July

Iarnród Éireann has extended the deadline for submissions to the public consultation for the Emerging Preferred Route for the new Navan Railway by two weeks to 5pm on Friday 17th July 2026.  This is in response to feedback received and is to ensure that all interested stakeholders have the opportunity to make informed submissions to the consultation.

The company published the Emerging Preferred Route for the Navan Railway on 20th May.   It is set to provide direct DART services between Dublin City Centre and Navan, the largest town in Ireland not currently on the passenger rail network.

There has been strong public interest in the consultation, with over 500 people attending three public information events so far, with a fourth to take place this evening in Kilmessan, and an online information event on Thursday.

The new 34-kilometre electrified route will see the existing rail line extended from M3 Parkway, with new stations proposed at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan Central and terminating at Navan North, allowing trains up to every 15 minutes at peak between Navan and the City Centre.

The journey time of approximately 60 minutes from Navan to Dublin will ensure frequent, reliable and sustainable public transport, with capacity for up to 4,400 commuters each way per hour.  The four new stations will include three park and ride locations at Kilmessan, Dunshaughlin and Navan North.  The project is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Benefits of the Navan Railway will include:

  • Extension of DART+ to Navan with frequent and high-capacity train services 
  • Connecting communities along the route to Ireland’s expanding and integrated public transport network
  • Bringing a railway to Navan which is the largest town in Ireland not currently on the national rail network
  • Facilitating future social and economic growth in the project area
  • Encouraging sustainable transport choices and reduced dependency on private cars
  • Enhancing access to services for communities along the route and encouraging travel to County Meath by train

Communities along the corridor and other stakeholders are being invited to give their feedback on the proposed plans, which are an integral part of the NTA’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy.  This project will also support key policies including the National Development Plan Review 2025, the Climate Action Plan 2025 and the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, and aligns with the Meath County Development Plan.

The Emerging Preferred Route follows a similar route to the original railway, which closed in 1963, making use of the disused railway corridor where possible.  A key revision is a change in the alignment to better serve the growing commuter town of Dunshaughlin and its environs, an outcome of the route selection process.


Public Consultation Process



The Public Consultation, which commences today for the Navan Railway, presents the ‘Emerging Preferred Option’ for the project design and will now remain open until  5pm on Friday 17th July 2026 following the extension announced today. It is the first of two non-statutory public consultations seeking the public’s feedback on the proposed plans.

The knowledge and insight of communities, residents, and businesses adjacent to the route, as well as other stakeholders, will inform the design and help Iarnród Éireann to shape the project plans, ensuring that it will maximise benefits for customers and the communities it will serve.

All are encouraged to review the full details of the plans, including details on how to contact the team and give feedback, at: www.irishrail.ie/navan-line

As well as online feedback, a series of consultation events will be held for those who would like to learn more about the project, details of which can be found below.
Upon completion of this consultation, all submissions will be carefully considered by the Project design team, and these will be used to inform the subsequent design development and the formation of the Preferred Option. A second phase of public consultation will take place when a Preferred Option for the project has been identified.

Following three earlier events, two in Navan and one in Dunshaughlin, the project team will be available to discuss the project at the following public information events:

  • Station House Hotel, Kilmessan (C15 N40D) Tuesday 16 June, 2pm – 8pm
  • Online Public Webinar, Thursday 18 June, 7:30pm - 8:30pm. Please visit www.irishrail.ie/navan-line or email navan@irishrail.ie to register
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