New early morning train from Drogheda to Dublin to begin on 20th April

Image credit: Matt Walsh

A new early morning commuter rail service between Drogheda and Dublin Connolly is due to begin on Monday, 20 April, following approval from the National Transport Authority.

The 06:05 service will operate on weekdays, stopping at Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush & Lusk, Donabate and Malahide before arriving at Dublin Connolly at 07:09. The service will be operated by a six-carriage train.

The additional train increases the number of weekday morning services from Drogheda arriving in Dublin city centre before 09:00 to ten, and to twelve before 09:30.

According to Iarnród Éireann, the new service forms part of efforts to increase capacity on one of the busiest commuter corridors in the country. It follows recent engagement between the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority and transport agencies aimed at identifying measures to ease congestion and improve public transport provision.

The operator said the service will use a train set that will subsequently run the 07:40 Dublin Connolly to Belfast Grand Central service.

Passenger numbers on the rail network remain high. According to Iarnród Éireann, a total of 55 million journeys were made across its services in 2025, including 4.65 million on the Northern Commuter route.

Battery-electric DART trains are due to be introduced on the Drogheda to Dublin Northern Commuter route from 2027, alongside charging infrastructure at Drogheda. According to Iarnród Éireann, these trains will replace existing Intercity and commuter rolling stock on the route and allow for longer trains and increased capacity.

For more information, please check the Irish Rail website.