Rail - Thurles Information

Train Disruptions Portlaoise And Thurles

Due to track works between Portlaoise and Thurles, between 18.30 Saturday and 11.30 Sunday, on the weekends of 21st-22nd, 28th-29th April and 12th-13th May 2012, there will be bus transfers between Portlaoise and Thurles on the following services:

SATURDAYS: 17.30, 18.30 and 20.30 Cork to Heuston services – 18.00, 19.00 and 21.00 Heuston to Cork services.

The 17.25 Heuston to Limerick service will operate to Ballybrophy only. There is no service to Templemore, Thurles or Limerick on this train, customers for these locations should travel on the 18.00 Heuston to Cork service.

SUNDAYS: 8.25 Heuston to Cork – 8.35 Limerick to Heuston – 8.30 Cork to Heuston

On the Sundays listed, the 10.00 Heuston to Cork will depart at 10.20, and the 10.35 Limerick to Heuston will be delayed in Thurles for 20 minutes.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Tipperary Youth Struck By Passenger Train

Investigations are underway after a nine year old girl was struck by a passenger train here in Co Tipperary.

The child is presently being treated in the intensive care unit of South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel.

The accident happened when a nine year old was hit by the Limerick to Waterford train near Tipperary Station, at approximately 7:15pm yesterday evening. It is understood that the girl resides near the railway station at an area known as Station Road, in Tipperary town.
Both Gardai and Irish Rail have launched investigations into the incident and the line remained closed following the incident until this morning.

The injured girl is said to be in a stable condition in South Tipperary General Hospital.

Jane Cregan, Irish Rail spokesperson stated that eight passengers on board the train had been taken to their destinations shortly after 8:00pm, by alternative transport.

Closure Of Ballybrophy Rail Link Rumoured

Iarnród Éireann is expected, shortly, to seek formal permission to close their services on the Limerick to Ballybrophy Rail line, well that is according to supporters of this transport route.

Rumours abound today, that Iarnród Éireann has informed the Department of Transport that it it considering the closure of this rail line, which also serves as a commuter service between Nenagh Co Tipperary and County Limerick. The closure is expected to be sought, due to unsustainable low passenger numbers.

Thurles.Info is aware that the National Transport Authority Board were informed, towards the middle of last year, that Iarnród Éireann had informed the Minister for Transport of their intention to seek closure of some of their less used rail lines. A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann refused to either confirm or deny that they have any proposals to suspend this services, stating that the profitability of all transport routes are regularly under review.

Nenagh Rail Partnership Group yesterday said it was concerned about the railway lines long term future. Currently people from Nenagh are driving to Thurles, daily, to catch trains to Dublin, and Iarnród Éireann claim that operating a service to Nenagh is often a waste of fuel, admitting that their scheduled services between Limerick and Nenagh are often cancelled, with the train returning to Colbert Station in Limerick, due to being empty of all passengers, having reached stations at Castleconnell and Birdhill. Official figures show that a total of only 14,000 people travelled on this line between January and August 2011, a daily average of just 55 passengers

The Government has also confirmed that very necessary austerity measures are likely to result in high reductions to public transport services over the coming years, and the Iarnród Éireann group is to have its annual subvention cut by €21m next year, from €263m to €242m, with further cuts expected in 2013 and 2014.

Nenagh Rail Partnership Group are justifiable worried about the continuation of this rail services between Limerick and Ballybrophy and admit that the opening the the new M7 motorway had presented very strong competition for all rail commuters, however the latter now claim that the line’s future is hugely important to developing much needed tourism in this area and should continue to be financed from the public purse.

North Tipp Labour TD Mr Allen Kelly, according to The Irish Independent Newspaper dated September 26th 2011, put “considerable pressure” on Iarnrod Eireann for a train to bring more than 150 north Tipperary fans from here, his constituency, to Dublin for the All-Ireland senior hurling final on September 4th, which Kilkenny won 2-17 to 1-16 over Tipperary. The junior Minister with responsibility for Public Transport, Tourism & Sport, then refused to respond to the report.

Rumours, if confirmed, will be seen as yet another attack on residents of rural Ireland.

Last year the National Transport Authority approved Iarnród Éireann’s decision to cease services on the Waterford-Rosslare route on similar grounds.

All Ireland Hurling Final Special Rail Service

Iarnród Éireann have announced a special return service for Tipperary supporters, travelling from Birdhill to Dublin for the All Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday 4th September.

Irish Rail

This special service departs from Birdhill at 09:00hrs serving Nenagh 09:33hrs and Roscrea 10:12hrs, arriving to Heuston station at 12:01hrs. This train returns from Heuston at 20:00hrs. There are limited seats available on this service, thus customers are advised to book early to avoid any disappointment.

To avail of this service, Telephone 1850 366 222 or click here to book on line. Cost – Adults from €29.5 – Children from €15

The following special trains will also operate :-

08.40 Waterford to Dublin Heuston.
19.15 Dublin Heuston to Waterford.
07.45 Cork to Dublin Heuston.
09.10 Limerick to Dublin Heuston.
18.50 Dublin Heuston to Limerick Junction.

Click here to book the above services now, as well as regular services.

Please note:
17.40 Heuston to Waterford train is deferred to 18.20.
18.00 Heuston to Cork train is deferred to 18.15.

Extra Trains & Cheap Fares For Sunday’s Hurling Fans

Thurles Railway Station

Iarnrod Eireann, in anticipation of Limerick hurling fans continuing support, are putting on additional train services to Thurles for the qualifier against Dublin. These trains are in addition to regular train services offered between Limerick, Charleville and Limerick Junction to Thurles.

Travelling supporters from Limerick will have a choice of three direct services to Thurles at starting at 10.35am, 11.40am and 12.35pm, while supporters from West Limerick can avail of services from Charleville at 11.09am and 11.40am. Latter will stop at Limerick Junction. Return services will also allow supporters to decide their choice of returning home after the first match, facilitating those who wish to stay on to enjoy the second quarter final between Galway and Waterford.

Iarnrod Eireann are also offering a special discounted online fare for advance bookings for travelling supporters to these matches, with a discounted fare of €18.50 from Limerick and Charleville for adults and half price fares for children under 16.

This can be seen as a significant reduction on their regular normal return fare, which usually costs €25.30.