DART to be extended to Kilcock as new depot location announced

Image credit: Matt Walsh

Iarnród Éireann has announced plans to extend DART services to Kilcock in Co. Kildare, alongside a new depot location west of the town, with a public consultation on the proposal now open.

The extension will bring a significant increase in rail capacity and frequency on the Maynooth line. At present, Kilcock is served by nine trains in each direction per day, with roughly hourly services at peak times. Under the new plans, infrastructure will be delivered to support DART services every 10 minutes at peak, moving the line towards a higher-frequency, “turn up and go” service. Intercity trains will continue to stop at the station.

Kilcock Station is also set for upgrades as part of the project. These include a second track between Maynooth and Kilcock, a new platform, and a fully accessible pedestrian bridge with lifts. The route will be fully electrified, allowing new DART carriages—currently undergoing testing ahead of entry into service in 2027—to operate on the line.

The extension is tied to the development of a new DART+ depot west of Kilcock. The depot will support the expansion of the DART fleet and increased services across the wider network. It is planned to accommodate up to 750 DART carriages and will include maintenance and inspection facilities, train stabling areas, a test track, and an automatic train wash. When operational, it is expected to provide over 100 jobs.

The selected site follows a review of around 50 potential locations across the Greater Dublin Area, replacing an earlier proposed depot near Maynooth that did not receive planning approval.

Subject to planning and funding approvals, the depot is targeted for completion in 2031.

A public consultation on the depot and the extension of DART services to Kilcock is open from Monday 16 March to Friday 27 April 2026. Feedback will inform the next stage of design before a Railway Order application is submitted later this year.

For more information, you can visit the DART+ website here.