Rail Disruption Planned for February Bank Holiday Weekend Across Cork Routes
Cork rail services replaced by bus transfers all weekend 31 Jan-2 Feb for major engineering works.
Iarnród Éireann has confirmed major engineering works will disrupt rail services across Cork and several other routes during the February Bank Holiday weekend, with bus transfers replacing trains on Cork Commuter services and mainline routes from Saturday 31st January through Monday 2nd February.
Cork passengers will be particularly affected, with bus transfers operating on all Cork to Cobh, Cork to Midleton, and Cork to Mallow Commuter services throughout the entire weekend. The disruption forms part of the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme, which includes bridge renewal and resignalling works.
Mainline services between Cork and Kerry will also operate with bus transfers, with services from Thurles to Cork and Tralee affected on Saturday, whilst Charleville to Cork and Tralee routes will use bus transfers on Sunday and Monday.
Video: Irish Rail Press Office
The works are part of major investment in the Cork Area Commuter Rail project, which will see twin-tracking of the Midleton line and resignalling works completed in 2026. Together with the new platform at Kent Station, these improvements will treble the capacity for Cork commuter rail services.
Elsewhere in the country, DART services will be suspended between Connolly and Howth or Malahide, with Dublin Bus and GoAhead accepting rail tickets. Northern Commuter services will be suspended with limited bus transfers available. Services on the Dublin to Belfast route will involve bus transfers between Dublin and Drogheda to a revised schedule.
Track renewal and platform works between Portarlington and Athlone will see bus transfers operating between Heuston and Athlone on services to Galway, Westport, and Ballina.
Iarnród Éireann has also published a preview of major works planned across the network for the full twelve months of 2026. Alongside the Cork Area Commuter Rail projects, works will progress on the new Ceannt Station in Galway, the relocated Plunkett Station in Waterford, and a second platform at Oranmore.
Other major projects include DART+ works for recharging facilities at Drogheda, DART+ West enabling works on Maynooth and M3 Parkway lines, completion of the Limerick to Foynes line, and systems testing for the new National Train Control Centre.
Customers are advised to check times before travel at www.irishrail.ie or via the Iarnród Éireann app. Pre-booking for Intercity travel is strongly advised, particularly at busiest times.
