The main Dublin-Belfast rail line is probably one of the busiest commuter routes in the country. It’s one of the best means of travel between these two major cross border cities.
However, on August 21st this major international rail route was severely disrupted when part of the Malahide viaduct collapsed and put a halt to all services. Following three months of intensive repairs on the viaduct, there’s good news for commuters today, with the reopening of this all important rail route between north and south.
The Dublin-Belfast Line is back on track today and well ahead of schedule too! This news will be a greeted with a huge sigh of relief from up to 20,000 commuters who use this route on a daily basis. Since the line’s closure in August, commuters have had to take special bus connections to get to their destinations.
All services were ceased on 21st of August when a section of the Malahide viaduct collapsed just after a passenger bound train heading north had passed over it and just minutes ahead of another train. Luckily the second train driver noticed the track giving way up ahead and his alertness to this, averted what could have been Ireland’s worst rail disaster.
It was initially estimated that repairs to the track would take up to 1 year, but with over €4 million spent repairing it and work well ahead of schedule, the route is now back in action for the busy Christmas period.
Belfast city is approximately 100miles (167km) from Dublin city so railway travel is the most popular mode of transport between the cities. The cross border rail service is operated by Iarnrod Eireann (Ireland’s rail service provider) and Northern Ireland Railways and runs between Connolly Station in Dublin and Great Victoria Street Station in Belfast. There are eight journeys in each direction daily from Mon-Sat, with 5 services on a Sunday.
The journey between the two cities takes just 2 hours and is a great way to relax and take in a bit of sightseeing as you skim along the east coast of Ireland with stops at Portadown, Newry, Drogheda and Dundalk.
For more info and for rail tickets please visit the Irish Rail website
