Help planning Ireland trip

[MidnightFlyer]

I'm in the process of planning a rail-based holiday to the Republic of Ireland this summer (just by myself) using a 4 day Trekker ticket with the basic intention of simply getting as many lines done as I can within reasonable hours.

The lines I still need in Ireland are everything west from Heuston and Maynooth-Sligo. My plan so far sees me get everything done except for Nenagh, Athlone-Westport etc and the Kilkenny and Limerick Jn PSULs. Whilst it's great I can get so much done in so little time my plans rely somewhat heavily on connections. Does anybody know how good generally inter-city and local train punctuality is in the Republic, and how likely it is that connections will be held (for example, Tralee at Mallow and Limerick at the Junction)?

Secondly, rolling stock. Am I correct in assuming the following?
- Dublin-Cork = Mk4s
- all the other IC services to Dublin plus the Clonmel line = 22000s
- Tralee, the WRC and the Cork Metro area = 2600s

Finally, and I did a similar thread last summer, of all the lines in the Republic, are there any stretches that are thoroughly boring, and similarly any that are really interesting? Moreover, what little interesting (perhaps non-rail) things are there to keep an eye out for?

Thanks for all the help in advance, any more questions and I'll add them in here!

 

[hurricanemk1c]

The majority of services on the Cork line are indeed 201+MKIV, except 0800, 0900, 1500, 1600, 2100 ex Heuston and the returns (1120, 1220, 1820, 1920), also 0600 Cork - Heuston are ICR (22000). Local services between Heuston and Portlaoise (my home) are all ICR on roughly hourly intervals.

I believe the Clonmel line is 2600. You can get ICR's on the WRC and on Cork-Tralee and the 0700 Tralee - Heuston, 1705 return.

As for stretches that are boring/not, I can't tell, but make sure you are sitting on the correct side for Inchicore and Laois Traincare (just past Portlaoise) - left hand side (facing in direction of travel) from Heuston, right (facing in direction of travel) to Heuston. I know that the Maynooth - Sligo could be a bit of a bore, being reasonably slow speed and single track.

Time keeping is generally good in my experience, with trains rarely more than 5 late at Portlaoise with connections from Heuston - Portlaoise locals and followed by the Cork service. Of course, no-one can guarantee absolute punctuality, but it's not as bad as it was

 

[Railsigns]

Finally, and I did a similar thread last summer, of all the lines in the Republic, are there any stretches that are thoroughly boring, and similarly any that are really interesting?

The Western Railway Corridor between Limerick and Athenry is pretty boring, TBH. I can't offhand think of any other lines in Ireland that are dull (and I've done them all), with the possible exception of short branches such as the one to M3 Parkway. The coastal routes are the nicest.

 

[IR-Mark4/ICR]

Just to provide an updated Dublin-Cork 22000's operated services.
Monday-Saturday
Dublin-Cork - 08.00, 09.00, 15.00, 16.00
Cork-Dublin - 06.00, 11.20, 12.20, 18.20, 19.20

Monday-Friday
Dublin-Cork - 21.00

Monday-Thursday
Dublin-Cork - 11.00
Cork-Dublin - 14.20

Sunday
Dublin-Cork - 15.00, 18.00, 21.00
Cork-Dublin - 14.20, 18.20

Outside of Heuston 22000's operate:
Limerick-Waterford
Limierick J - Limierick
Mallow - Tralee

WRC operated by mainly 2800 but ICR's appear.

Majority of Limierick shuttle's are ICR's however there is one or two still 2800's. Same for Mallow-Tralee expect possible Friday and Sundays when demandis high 2600's take over some to allow extra capacity.

All connections at Mallow and Limerick J will be held if the Cork train is delayed no matter what.

The 13.05 and 18.00 return on Fridays from Sligo and 09.00 and 13.00 return on Sundays are not operated by 22000's but 8 car 29000 instead so avoid.

You may know but best fares are booked online and since yesterday Cork fares have being reduced with selected services 9.99 each way. Book 7+ days before travel for best fares but some exclusions apply. Best weekends and Fridays will have very few reduced fares.

Engineering works are planned over the next while from Heuston side they take place on Saturdays and will affect evening/night services, with some problems on Sunday until midday. If you want dates PM.

 

[hurricanemk1c]

Mon-Thur 1100 Heuston - Cork and return have been 201+MKIV on a number of occassions

 

[IR-Mark4/ICR]

Mon-Thur 1100 Heuston - Cork and return have been 201+MKIV on a number of occassions

They have but ICR's are rostered for the services so ICR's are going to appear more than Mark IV's

 

[Sidious]

I can't offhand think of any other lines in Ireland that are dull

I found little of interest on the run up to Sligo. The East Coast Run anywhere between Belfast and Rosslare is interesting.

 

[hurricanemk1c]

One run you could do is stay in Waterford overnight and then get the 0720 Waterford - Limerick Jn (3 ICR), getting into the Junction at 0900. 1625 ex Waterford to LKJ (arriving at 1805) is another diagram. Could be useful. Return workings are 0945 ex Limerick Jn (arr 1126) and 1840 ex Limerick Jn (arr 2020)

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The majority of services on the Cork line are indeed 201+MKIV, except 0800, 0900, 1500, 1600, 2100 ex Heuston and the returns (1120, 1220, 1820, 1920), also 0600 Cork - Heuston are ICR (22000). Local services between Heuston and Portlaoise (my home) are all ICR on roughly hourly intervals.

I believe the Clonmel line is 2600. You can get ICR's on the WRC and on Cork-Tralee and the 0700 Tralee - Heuston, 1705 return.
...

(... And IR-Mark4/ICR) Thanks for that. 22000 in lieu of 201s wouldn't bother me hugely, but looking at my plans, I've avoided most of them anyway, those where I haven't are only short hops anyway.

Clonmel I've since read is 22000s now, confirmed both in here and a mag I've read. Thanks for the help though

Outside of Heuston 22000's operate:
Limerick-Waterford
Limierick J - Limierick
Mallow - Tralee

The 13.05 and 18.00 return on Fridays from Sligo and 09.00 and 13.00 return on Sundays are not operated by 22000's but 8 car 29000 instead so avoid.

You may know but best fares are booked online and since yesterday Cork fares have being reduced with selected services 9.99 each way. Book 7+ days before travel for best fares but some exclusions apply. Best weekends and Fridays will have very few reduced fares.

Engineering works are planned over the next while from Heuston side they take place on Saturdays and will affect evening/night services, with some problems on Sunday until midday. If you want dates PM.

Thanks for all that. On my Sligo run I've managed to avoid the 2600 run, which is good. I know APEXs can be great VFM but I'll stick to a Trekker as it's simpler and also more flexible - if something goes wrong I'll just try the next line! As I'll also be on Monday-Saturday AM I should avoid engineering works, thanks for the offer though.

I found little of interest on the run up to Sligo. The East Coast Run anywhere between Belfast and Rosslare is interesting.

Indeed, Dundalk-Newry is very good. I'm dreading Sligo now!

One run you could do is stay in Waterford overnight and then get the 0720 Waterford - Limerick Jn (3 ICR), getting into the Junction at 0900. 1625 ex Waterford to LKJ (arriving at 1805) is another diagram. Could be useful. Return workings are 0945 ex Limerick Jn (arr 1126) and 1840 ex Limerick Jn (arr 2020)

Cheers, has already been incorporated! Shame connections to / ex the Dublin-Waterford line are so poor: cheap accommodation in Waterford within reasonable proximity to Plunkett station is hard to find.

 

[IR-Mark4/ICR]

Cheers, has already been incorporated! Shame connections to / ex the Dublin-Waterford line are so poor: cheap accommodation in Waterford within reasonable proximity to Plunkett station is hard to find.

http://www.portreehostel.ie/

A hostel/B&B just across the bridge from the station, just as cheap as the Travel Lodge and cheaper than hotels. Have stayed their and its nice.

 

[Con]

Boring or not, the parts of the ROI railway network that have a possible axe hanging over them are the North Tipperary (Ballybrophy-Limerick), the South Tipperary (Limerick Junction - Waterford) and the Ballina branch from Manulla Junction.

The Ennis - Athenry section of the Western Railway Corridor gets a kicking in the papers here on a semi-regular basis and on some online fora here from bus "enthusiasts".

Put it this way, I am glad that I griced the Rosslare-Waterford line when I did.

 

[northwichcat]

are there any stretches that are thoroughly boring, and similarly any that are really interesting? Moreover, what little interesting (perhaps non-rail) things are there to keep an eye out for?

If you do the Cork-Cobh spur that's quite interesting with good views across the harbour.

 

[IR-Mark4/ICR]

Boring or not, the parts of the ROI railway network that have a possible axe hanging over them are the North Tipperary (Ballybrophy-Limerick), the South Tipperary (Limerick Junction - Waterford) and the Ballina branch from Manulla Junction.

The Ennis - Athenry section of the Western Railway Corridor gets a kicking in the papers here on a semi-regular basis and on some online fora here from bus "enthusiasts".

Put it this way, I am glad that I griced the Rosslare-Waterford line when I did.

Have no idea where this crap about the Ballina brach has come from, it will not be closing at all. At the minute Ballina has major freight operation which is the only profitable side of IE. Up to 8 trains in/out daily.

 

[Con]

Have no idea where this crap about the Ballina brach has come from, it will not be closing at all. At the minute Ballina has major freight operation which is the only profitable side of IE. Up to 8 trains in/out daily.

Glad to hear it, the hint of closing Ballina was made in the Bord Snip Nua report.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Thanks for all the replies so far. One thing I have been thinking about is what is the position with photography on IE? I wouldn't be doing too much, just the odd shot here or there of a station or view or whatever, and I wouldn't expect them to be as stringent as the UK can be in places, but I still think it best to ask

Also, how busy generally (off-peak / late evening) are the routes into Heuston from Waterford and Galway? These are my longest end-to-end journeys and whilst I don't mind, I'd like to have a broad idea beforehand. Similarly how busy are the afternoon Sligo trains?

Finally, and totally random, how on earth do you pronounce Muine Bheag? Just out of curiosity more than anything, as it seems to be the only obviously-Gaelic name (except Cobh) on the network.

 

[IR-Mark4/ICR]

Thanks for all the replies so far. One thing I have been thinking about is what is the position with photography on IE? I wouldn't be doing too much, just the odd shot here or there of a station or view or whatever, and I wouldn't expect them to be as stringent as the UK can be in places, but I still think it best to ask

Also, how busy generally (off-peak / late evening) are the routes into Heuston from Waterford and Galway? These are my longest end-to-end journeys and whilst I don't mind, I'd like to have a broad idea beforehand. Similarly how busy are the afternoon Sligo trains?

Finally, and totally random, how on earth do you pronounce Muine Bheag? Just out of curiosity more than anything, as it seems to be the only obviously-Gaelic name (except Cobh) on the network.

You will have no problem taking photos once your not trespassing and even at that they won't have much of a problem with it.

A new timetable starts on Sunday with some minor changes but the Galway route has quiet a few changes and increase journey times. Everything else is more less the same. Oranmore station is opening on the Galway route.

Here is the details
http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4882&p=116&n=237
http://www.irishrail.ie/timetables

The even arrivals from Galway and Waterford will be fairly lightly loaded mid week. As for Sligo services after 16.00 towards Sligo they will be busy with a lot of commuter traffic but the next few weeks many companies close for 2 or 3 week so overall services will not be overly busy.

Muine Bheag is announced the same in Irish and English. The actual town is called Bagenalstown but IE never changed the name although they probably haven't being asked to either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkNbhxTJlZc

 

[reb0118]

Finally, and totally random, how on earth do you pronounce Muine Bheag? Just out of curiosity more than anything, as it seems to be the only obviously-Gaelic name (except Cobh) on the network.

Just say Bagenalstown, much easier! Personally I would pronounce Muine Bheag as Moone Vaig. That said I am more used to Scottish Gaelic place names.

The bh is often pronounced as a v just as in your example Cobh (Cove) above.

Beag and its declension bheag means small or little.

 

[Eagle]

Finally, and totally random, how on earth do you pronounce Muine Bheag? Just out of curiosity more than anything, as it seems to be the only obviously-Gaelic name (except Cobh) on the network.

And Dún Laoghaire, but I assume you already can pronounce that. (It's "doon laireh" in Irish but usually "dun leery" in English.)

Muine Bheag in typical Irish pronunciation would be "minyeh vog". Don't try pronouncing Irish names as if they were Scottish—the consonants are the same but the vowels are often very different.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Thanks, I think I'll stick to the (Anglicised?) name of Begenalstown Interesting how IE still use the Gaelic name for there but dropped Rathluirc in favour of Charleville (named after the Merry Monarch, must be one of the last towns in the Republic with monarchy in its name).

And yes, I saw the service changes. The only way it affects me though is needing to cut back my WRC-Dublin trip to a connection at Athenry in lieu of Galway. Out of interest, how long does it take foot pax to disembark a ferry? I'm guessing not too long but I've only ever used one as a car passenger Looking like a 1h55 from arrival at Dublin Port-departing Heuston is cutting it a tad fine.

 

[IR-Mark4/ICR]

Thanks, I think I'll stick to the (Anglicised?) name of Begenalstown Interesting how IE still use the Gaelic name for there but dropped Rathluirc in favour of Charleville (named after the Merry Monarch, must be one of the last towns in the Republic with monarchy in its name).

And yes, I saw the service changes. The only way it affects me though is needing to cut back my WRC-Dublin trip to a connection at Athenry in lieu of Galway. Out of interest, how long does it take foot pax to disembark a ferry? I'm guessing not too long but I've only ever used one as a car passenger Looking like a 1h55 from arrival at Dublin Port-departing Heuston is cutting it a tad fine.

You should be off the boat in less than 15 minutes after docking, you shouldn't have a problem making it to Heuston.