Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) has announced the FourNorth programme, a major infrastructure expansion

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) has announced the FourNorth programme, a major infrastructure expansion targeting Ireland's busiest rail corridor.

the FourNorth expansion represents a transformative leap forward for Ireland's public transport infrastructure. By resolving long-standing bottlenecks on the critical Dublin to Malahide corridor, this €1 billion project promises to deliver a much more robust, reliable, and high-capacity rail network. As public consultations approach and the project moves toward its anticipated completion in the 2030s, daily commuters, freight operators, and cross-border travelers can look forward to a significantly faster and modernized transit experience.

Key Highlights of the Expansion

• Track Expansion: The plan will expand the current 14-kilometre, two-track stretch between Dublin Connolly and Malahide to four tracks.

• Project Cost: Estimated to exceed €1 billion, co-funded by the Department of Transport and the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility.

• Station Upgrades: Redesign and extensive modernisation will be required across 10 railway stations along the route to accommodate the new layout.

• Relieving Bottlenecks: The line is heavily congested as Northside DART, Northern Commuter, Dublin–Belfast Enterprise, and freight trains all share the existing two tracks.

Core Benefits

• Improved Services: Enables faster Dublin–Belfast Enterprise journeys, expanded DART services, and increased frequency for Northern Commuter trains.

• Enhanced Reliability: Quadrupling the tracks will reduce delay ripple effects caused by minor disruptions across the broader rail network.

• Next Steps: A public consultation on the design options is scheduled for later this year.