Calls for re-introduction of passenger services on Limerick-Foynes rail line

REPRESENTATIVES of Iarnród Éireann are to be invited to meet with councillors from the Adare/Ratheale Municipal District to discuss the possible restoration of passenger services between Limerick and Foynes.

Work will begin in the coming weeks to upgrade the current 42km of railway track to facilitate the reintroduction of freight services from as early as 2024.

Currently, there are no plans to facilitate passenger services on the line and to do so would require considerable additional investment.

While welcoming the impending upgrade works, elected members in Adare/Rathkeale are calling for passenger services to be restored.

“Freight is of no value to the village of Adare or to Foynes or to anywhere else along the line so we do need a passenger element – we are all talking about sustainable travel methods and rail is one of those,” said Cllr Bridie Collins at the most-recent monthly meeting.

Delivery of first tracks for Limerick to Foynes rail line is latest 'positive signal' says port boss

Cllr Collins said having passenger rail services in place for the Ryder Cup in 2027 would be a game-changer for Adare and she said there is also huge potential given the return of Cruise Ships to Foynes Port post-Covid.

Referencing the merger of Foynes and Limerick ports into a single entity, Cllr Kevin Sheahan said it put the Shannon Estuary on a new level and that the re-introduction of passenger rail services would elevate its status even further.

“I welcome what is happening and I am quite satisfied that - now that it has commenced - there is no stopping this,” he commented.

Both Cllr Emmett O’Brien and Cllr Adam Teskey agreed with their colleagues and said a strong united message of support needs to go out from elected representatives.

Senior Executive Engineer Gerard O’Connor told the meeting he was aware that discussions have taken place between senior management at the local authority and representatives of Iarnród Éireann.

His proposal that the matter be included as an item on the agenda of the next meeting was agreed and supported.