Limerick to Foynes rail line is on track

FINAL positioning of the track on the Limerick to Foynes freight rail line has kicked off.

It comes with the service, which will also link up to Adare village, expected to be operational by 2026.

Initially, the line, which traverses the southside of the city, plus Dooradoyle and Patrickswell, will convey freight trains.

But it’s hoped by the time the Ryder Cup rolls into Adare Manor in under three years’ time, passenger services will be in place to service the thousands of extra visitors expected in the region.

READ MORE: 'Shining light': Tributes paid to founder of fashion department at Limerick university

So far, 24km of track has been laid on the Limerick to Foynes line - around 57% of its proposed 42km length.

This latest process, known as tamping, will ensure the newly-laid railway is positioned correctly and ready for future services.

On top of these works, the fit out of the signalling and telecommunications equipment along the length of line has also commenced and will be ongoing throughout 2025 and into 2026, Irish Rail has stated.

This next stage of the project follows the re-installation of the refurbished railway bridge over the River Maigue in Adare and the recompletion of the project's other associated bridge works.

Track laying itself is continuing onwards to Limerick city over the coming weeks and is expected to be largely complete by the end of 2024.

It is expected that freight services will commence in the first half of 2026.

Work began on the railway early in 2023, with all existing materials deemed no longer fit for purpose removed.

The replacement of track and ballast began in February this year.

The Limerick to Foynes rail line first opened in 1858, but closed to passenger traffic in 1963.

Freight services stopped using the line in 2001.

Irish Rail has said the reintroduction of passenger services along the line will be done subject to further infrastructure updates and funding.

Eventually, passenger services could call in Raheen, Dooradoyle, Patrickswell, Adare and Foynes, which is set to be improved in the coming years.