Major Rail Disruptions and Extra Services Announced for May Bank Holiday Weekend

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that a revised timetable will operate across the network this May Bank Holiday weekend, with significant engineering works affecting key commuter routes in Dublin and Cork, alongside additional services for major sporting and running events.

Passengers travelling between Saturday, May 2nd and Bank Holiday Monday, May 4th are being urged to check updated schedules online or via the rail operator’s mobile app before setting out.

Cork Network Disruptions Due to Ongoing Upgrades

In Cork, resignalling and twin-tracking works—part of a broader commuter rail investment—will disrupt services on multiple lines.

• Bus transfers will replace trains between Cork and Mallow on Saturday and Sunday.
• Services on the Cork to Cobh and Midleton lines will be fully substituted by buses throughout the weekend.

These works are part of ongoing efforts to modernise the Cork rail network and improve capacity and reliability.

Temporary Closures in the West

Track maintenance between Claremorris and Westport/Ballina will also result in evening and early morning bus transfers from Saturday to Sunday.

Extensive Works on Northern Commuter and DART Lines

A series of major infrastructure upgrades will take place along the Connolly to Drogheda and Howth routes, impacting DART and Northern Commuter services.

The works include track renewals, overhead line upgrades, and accessibility improvements at several stations. As a result:

• DART services will be suspended between Connolly and Howth/Malahide, though trains will continue to run between Connolly and Greystones.
• Northern Commuter trains between Dublin and Drogheda will not operate, with replacement bus services running via key stops including Balbriggan, Donabate, Rush, and Lusk.
• Dublin to Belfast services will also be affected, with bus transfers between Dublin and Drogheda forming part of a revised timetable.

Passengers are advised that Leap Cards will be accepted on alternative Transport for Ireland (TFI) services in affected areas.

Extra Trains for Major Events

Despite the disruptions, additional rail services will be provided to accommodate increased demand for major events in Dublin.

Extra DART services will run before and after the Leinster Rugby Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon on Saturday. However, Grand Canal Dock Station will close temporarily after the match between 16:20 and 18:15 for crowd management.

On Sunday morning, additional commuter and DART services will operate ahead of the Dublin City Half Marathon, with early departures from Kildare, Maynooth, and Greystones into Connolly Station.

Bank Holiday Monday Schedule

Passengers should also note that commuter and southside DART services will run on a Sunday timetable on Bank Holiday Monday.

Iarnród Éireann said it “apologises to customers for the inconvenience caused by these essential works,” adding that the upgrades form part of a long-term maintenance and improvement programme.