Bus substitutions on railway line between Drogheda and Dundalk for next two weekends

Due to engineering works on the main Dublin to Belfast train line for the next two weekends, a bus substitution will operate on the last two trains services (in both directions) on Saturday 23rd May and 30th May between Drogheda and Dundalk.

This will result in the following schedule changes:

From Belfast;
• 1805 will operate as timetabled to Dundalk with a bus substitution between Dundalk and Drogheda; train arrives Dublin Connolly 2050.
• 2135 will now depart Belfast Central 2140 with a bus substitution from Dundalk to Dublin Connolly arriving 0015.

From Dublin;
• 1900 will operate as timetabled to Drogheda with a bus substitution between Drogheda and Dundalk; train arrives Belfast 2135.
• 2050 will operate as timetabled to Drogheda with a bus substitution between Drogheda and Dundalk; train arrives Belfast 2333.

Bus transfers in place for train journeys to Dublin this weekend

Anyone travelling to Dublin via train over the May Bank Holiday weekend are advised that there will be no train service between Dublin Connolly and Malahide/Howth on Sunday or Monday.

The following service alterations will be in on both days:

• All Dublin Connolly – Belfast services will operate between Drogheda and Belfast only with bus transfers operating between Dublin Connolly and Drogheda.
• DART services will operate between Dublin Connolly and Bray/Greystones only.  DART services will not operate between Dublin Connolly and Malahide/Howth.
• Northern commuter services will operate between Dundalk/Drogheda and Malahide only.  A bus transfer will operate between Connolly and Malahide.

Late night trains from Dublin to Dundalk announced for Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Anyone planning a night out in Dublin over Christmas or New Year will be able to avail of late night trains to Dundalk.

Irish Rail have announced that the commuter line train will run after midnight at weekends from this Friday in the run-up to Christmas and after the New Year’s celebrations in the city.

On Friday and Saturday December 12^th and 13^th and Friday and Saturday December 19^th and 20^th, a 00.40am and 01.40am train will leave from Pearse Station, servicing Tara Street, Connolly Station and all other stations from Howth Junction to Dundalk.

Trains will also depart the same stations at 01.40am and 02.40am on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday December 31^st for those hoping to attend the New Year’s Festival Dublin concert.

Fares will be charged at normal commuter rates while weekly, monthly and annual season tickets will be valid for these services at no extra charge.

All late night services will have security personnel on board to ensure customer safety.

Dundalk Railway Heritage Society walking tour

The old Quay Street train station

Dundalk Railway Heritage Society have organised a walking tour tomorrow (Saturday) to take in a number of key railway sites in the town.

The walk will commence at Clarke Station at 11am and should take about an hour, before ending at the new Tesco.

The event is part of Dundalk Heritage Week and all are welcome.

Trains affected by gorse fire

A number of trains were delayed between Drogheda and Dundalk yesterday afternoon due to a gorse fire alongside the track.

The fire briefly affected commuters travelling on the main Dublin-Belfast route but the fire service quickly brought it under control and normal service was resumed.

Special train to Croke Park from Dundalk this Sunday

Irish Rail are running a special train from Clarke Station in Dundalk to Connolly Station this coming Sunday for the Leinster Senior Football Championship quarter-final clash between Louth and Kildare in Croke Park. That game will be followed by the clash of Dublin and Laois.

The train will depart Dundalk at 11am and is scheduled to return from Connolly Station at 18.15pm. This special train will also depart Drogheda Station at 11.24am.

The following fares from Dundalk will apply – adult return €18.10, child return €9, family ticket for 2 adults and up to a maximum of 4 children (Under 16) €41.50.

Meeting planned for Ardee aimed at gathering support for Dunleer Train Station to reopen

Dunleer Railway Station was closed by CIE in 1984

The Dunleer Mid-Louth Railway Station re-opening committee will hold their next public meeting in Ardee on Monday April 7^th at 7.30pm.

This will be open to all members of the public interested in helping a campaign to re-open the railway station in Dunleer.

Earlier this month a committee was formed aimed at reopening the station, which was closed 30 years ago in 1984.It includes local representatives including Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick and councillors Frank Godfrey, Finnan McCoy, Dolores Minogue, Pearse McGeough and Colm Markey.

Steam engine trip planned between Dundalk and Drogheda

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland will be running two steam engine trips from Dundalk to Drogheda on Sunday April 13^th.

‘The Boyne’ steam excursions will leave Clarke Station at 10.30am before arriving in Drogheda at 11.10am. The train will then depart Drogheda at 11.43am before arriving back in Dundalk at 12.30pm.

The second outing will then leave Dundalk at 1pm, before arriving in Drogheda at 1.40pm. It then departs Drogheda at 2.10pm before returning to Dundalk at 2.54pm.

The trip is €12 or €6 for under 16s or seniors.

Tickets are for sale at the ticket office in Clarke Station or from the Tourist Office in the Market Square.

The train will be headed by Engine No 461 and there will be a bar and dining car in operation on the day.

The day before – Saturday April 12th – there will also be a steam engine journey from Dublin Connolly Station, departing at 1.45pm and arriving in Dundalk at 3.50pm. The fare is €15, payable on the train. This train will also travel from Dundalk to Connolly the next day at 3.40pm, arriving in Dublin at 5.35pm. Again the fare will be €15, payable on the train.

 

Committee formed aimed at reopening Dunleer Train Station

The Dunleer Train Station committee

A committee was formed earlier this week in Dunleer, aimed at reopening the town’s train station.

The station has been closed for 30 years but there has been strong calls over the years for it to be reopened.

A meeting was held in The Grove House in Dunleer on Monday night to discuss the reopening of the station, with around 60 attending.

Following the meeting, a committee was formed to lead a campaign for the station’s reopening. It includes local representatives including Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick and councillors Frank Godfrey, Finnan McCoy, Dolores Minogue, Pearse McGeough and Colm Markey.

In a statement earlier this week, Irish Rail said reopening the station is not in its current investment plan and it does not feature in the current programme for government.

A spokesperson said the only option would be a developer-led initiative but this would have to be subject to a business case being put forward.

Local TD Fitzpatrick said it was now up to committee and people of the town to show there is a strong demand for the station.

Dunleer Railway Station was closed by CIE in 1984

The Enterprise at Clarke Station

Thanks to the good folk over at InstaDundalk for sharing this superb shot of the Enterprise parked at Clarke Train Station in Dundalk.

Source: SuperTed_Ed (Instagram)