Irish Rail Restores Full Weekday Services to Waterford Just in Time for Christmas

Iarnród Éireann has announced the restoration of full weekday rail services to and from Plunkett Station in Waterford. This service will continue uninterrupted during the festive season, right through Christmas and into the New Year.

Upcoming Holiday Rail Services

The enhanced service comes as the first phase of important flood prevention works on the rail line has been completed. These works, which started on August 25, target areas prone to flooding and disruption near Waterford.

To accommodate travelers during the busy holiday season, this phase of construction will be paused. The final day of pre-Christmas works was noted to be November 26.

Daily Train Services

• Eight trains will run daily in each direction between Waterford and Dublin Heuston.
• Nine trains will operate on Fridays.
• A daily 8.20 pm service from Waterford to Dublin Heuston is available from Monday to Saturday, ideal for attendees of Winterval.

Winterval and Community Development

Winterval, a significant festive event in Waterford, has sparked increased travel during this period. Rail services will ensure easy access for visitors and residents alike.

Furthermore, the rail development is supported by funding from various government bodies, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Transport. The railway enhancement is part of the larger Waterford North Quays development, which aims to improve overall connectivity.

Future Works and Service Adjustments

While the holiday services will remain unaffected, construction will resume on January 5, continuing until March 26. During this period, some service adjustments will occur:

• The 07:20 and 10:15 Dublin Heuston to Waterford trains will stop at Kilkenny, with bus transfers available.
• The 11:00 and 13:05 Waterford to Dublin services will also require bus transfers at Kilkenny.
• The 09:45 Limerick Junction to Waterford train will terminate in Carrick-on-Suir, with bus service provided from there to Waterford.

Despite these changes, only two of eight daily services each way between Waterford and Dublin will be affected from Monday to Thursday, ensuring uninterrupted service on weekends.

This initiative will ultimately lead to enhanced rail connectivity and reduced flooding issues, significantly benefiting the local community.