Iarnród Éireann Launches Rail Safe Friendly Programme in Schools Across Ireland

Iarnród Éireann has recognised Scoil Choilm Community National School, Porterstown, and Luttrellstown Community College, Clonsilla, as the first schools in Ireland to achieve Rail Safe Friendly certification. The new rail safety education programme was launched at a ceremony in Dublin today.

The certificates were presented at an event attended by Seán Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports. Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine, representatives from the wider transport and rail safety community, An Garda Síochána and recipient school delegates also attended.

Rail Safe Friendly was developed by Learn Live. It is designed to teach primary and secondary school students about the dangers of trespassing on or near railway infrastructure through engaging digital content.

The first year of activity will focus on 150 schools across Ireland in areas where rail safety education can have the strongest impact. Schools have been identified through data gathered by Iarnród Éireann’s Critical Incident Steering Group, with priority given to locations across the rail network where trespass incidents present the greatest risk.

Since launching internationally in March 2023, Rail Safe Friendly has reached over six million young people across over 18,000 schools.

Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said:

“Rail Safe Friendly provides a practical and engaging way to help young people understand rail safety. Introducing this initiative demonstrates our continued commitment to and focus on safety and education. The schools with us today have shown the value early engagement with a programme such as this can bring, and we look forward to working with more schools and stakeholders across the country as we further develop the programme.”

Cathal Mangan, Chief Civil Engineer and Director Infrastructure Manager designate with Iarnród Éireann, said:

“Through Rail Safe Friendly, we can bring clear and age-appropriate safety messages directly into classrooms, helping students understand how everyday decisions around the railway can help keep them safe. The programme is providing education and awareness where it can have the strongest impact.”

Stuart Heaton, Founder & Managing Director of Rail Safe Friendly, said:

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Iarnród Éireann to bring Rail Safe Friendly to Ireland. Since launching in 2023, our mission has been to educate young people on the critical dangers of the railways before unsafe decisions are made, whether that is trespassing on tracks, distraction at level crossings, or misjudging high-voltage overhead lines. Seeing Scoil Choilm and Luttrellstown Community College become our first certified schools in Ireland marks a major milestone, and we look forward to working alongside Iarnród Éireann to equip students with life-saving knowledge.”

The launch event brought together stakeholders from across the transport, education and rail sectors. These included representatives from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority, the Commission for Railway Regulation, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport, the Department of Education and the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland. Members of Iarnród Éireann Senior Management, supply chain representatives and pupils from the two participating schools also attended.

Participating schools will have access to digital learning content to support them in working towards Rail Safe Friendly certification.