Rail and Bus Services in Ireland

The main line rail operators in Ireland are Northern Ireland Railways and Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) which provides rail services in the Republic of Ireland.  Information about the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) is available on the Irish Rail web site. 

Northern Ireland Railways provide rail service throughout Northern Ireland and to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Belfast is the hub for this system that extends to the port of Larne in the northeast, to the city of Derry (Londonderry) in the northwest and to several points throughout the southern counties of Northern Ireland. There is a station near Belfast City/Harbour Airport.  Its web site also has information on bus services in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

The Irish Rail web site provides information for train services throughout the entire island. Intercity rail services cover the Republic of Ireland with connecting services to Northern Ireland. Major cities include Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Rosslare.  This site also has a very good map of rail lines in Ireland, including Northern Ireland.  There are links on this map page to maps for Dublin and Cork-Cobh rail lines.

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland operates special trips with vintage trains in Northern Ireland and in the Republic throughout the year.  These are particularly popular with people interested in historic railways.

Bus Éireann is the national bus passenger service operating beyond Dublin to other parts of the Republic of Ireland.  The company's web site has a useful map, timetables and other useful information for planning a tour of Ireland by bus.

Rapid Express is a private carrier operating routes from Dublin to Limerick, Clonmel, Tramore and Roscrea

Ulsterbus provides bus services throughout Northern Ireland.  Translink is the online source for rail and bus travel information for Northern Ireland.

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