Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail Reviews 

By far the worst rail network in the world.Constantly delayed and when it does show it's overcrowded.Tannoy systems never work to give updates while your stuck on a roasting hot train that also has constant problems with AC.

I tried to book online 2 bikes on an inter city route (Dublin to Athlone) but after 1 frustrating hour just had to give up. If someone tried to make it more complicated, I don't think it would be possible.
Totally sh!t IT system - shame on Irish rail !!

Reserved 7 seats in the train from Dublin to Kilkenny and back.
Outward journey was great even with rain and storm outside.
Inward journey was made a hell of an experience by 4 people having their pizza and drinks on our reserved seat and table.
No manners to clear the junk, left the table in a miserable condition and ignored the request to clean ....😡
Un- believable people

On our Limerick-Dublin trip, we received the good news: our (reserved) seats were occupied by an elderly couple who, by way of apology, warned us that their tickets had been "gone" for a while. When we asked them to give up their seats, the man became aggressive and made us understand that he had paid his taxes and therefore had more right to that seat than us. He also said that he was older than us and therefore deserved our seat.

Unfortunately, there was no ticket inspector on board to resolve the situation. This kind of behavior should be addressed on board, as we had to stand up for an hour and a half after paying for two seated tickets...
Deplorable

I really like Irish Rail and travel on the service frequently. Today, I am on the Heuston to Kent train (15.00). Booking was fine, ticket collection was fine and our names were over our seats - all great. However, when I pulled down my table for my book and my food, it was filthy. This is not good enough, I’m sure you ll agree. I’m travelling with a friend from Italy who also was really disappointed with this. I hope this is constructive, it is not meant as a moan. Im at 087 7518210, and my name is Tomás O Dubhlainn.

Terrible experience and a complete disaster. It took my flight five and a half hours to fly from Newark to Dublin, it took Irish Rail five and a half hours to get me from Heuston to Kent.

Late to work as train is currently 20 minutes late no notice that it'll be late and has made me miss my way home multiple of times

Yep lost my job over the trains never being on time..... Not happy at all

Disgraceful attitude by staff at an eolas office
I asked to change my train time
Dismissed
Went to ticket office and got a better reception
This w a s at 12pm.

I am consistently experiencing very low capacity on your services, leading to overcrowding and uncomfortable journeys. Increased capacity is urgently needed.

Is there any employees working on trains do cleaning of tables after each train stop.I was on train to go and come from Cork City and never saw any cleaning staff wipe down tables clean mess on floors and chairs this is a disgrace where people are eating and using the tables to eat.It’s a total disgusting environment and you need to employ people that there job discription is a cleaner and to do what they are been paid to do.

I travel from north county Dublin to city center (just south side) daily, the direct commuter in the morning is usually a few mins late. Getting home I've to go via Connolly, the first train is again usually late meaning my window to catch the second train is reduced, I usually make it but only because I walk fast . Most days there is either a "technical fault", "signalling fault", "bridge strike", operational difficulties" or "someone on the tracks". I understand sh1t happens but not to this extent. The biggest issue for me though is the lack of information on either the app or the screens in the station, e.g. if a train is delayed the app won't tell you, nor will the screens. They make incomprehensible announcements over the Tannoy (good luck to the elderly or hearing impaired understanding these). Constantly apologising but really not good enough. Carriages usually smell like a heavily used toilet. A/C units intermittently work and various lifts in stations seem to always be out-of-order. Definitely a second class travel system that is not reliable, perfect for Ireland considering there is zero forward thinking and planning.

My work colleague and I Recently travelled to Dublin by train from Temlemore.We were assisting 2 ladies in wheelchairs. All I can say is the attention and assistance we were given from start to finish was exceptional by staff in Temlemore and Houston station

So sick of the gates not scanning the QR tickets. Such a waste of peoples time. Everyone ends up queuing to get through the one gate.

4 of us Travelled from Dublin Connolly to Rosslare on 23 June. We were approached by a security man who found out which gate we were departing from, accompanied us to the gate & helped us with our luggage. Once on the train an Irish Rail staff member assisted us to lift our bags onto the baggage holder. Another Irish rail staff member helped us to get the bags down & off the train. The staff were so pleasant & helpful in fact it’s been a long time since I have experienced such great customer service. Will definitely be travelling on Irish Rail in the near future.

Travelled on 11.41 train from Boyle to Connolly on 28 06/2025 and having limited mobility was immediately offered assistance by a very tall employee.0n my return journey 17.05 Connolly to Sligo I was afforded equal assistance by Teresa.I was also impressed how she so tactfully dealt with a passenger who was pestering and imposing herself on other passenger ,and she exiting at Mullingar a station gave Teresa an warranted tirade of abuse .

Crowded, tiny luggage racks, loud old people yelling at each other (for lack of hearing aids?). Avoid.

Trains are kept well, toilets on the new trains are very small. Tickets outrageously expensive, Dublin to Cork Return (€63 approx) .. if you buy a single to cork in heuston station they charge up upwards of €45. Rip off but the trains are kept well

As a foreign student temporarily visiting Ireland, I wish to express my concern regarding Irish Rail’s recent policy requiring all students to hold a TFI (Transport for Ireland) Student Leap Card in order to access discounted fares. While I understand the need for standardisation in verifying student status, the implementation of this policy appears to result in indirect discrimination against non-resident and visiting international students.

The policy appears inconsistent with Ireland’s obligations under the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the Erasmus+ programme, both of which promote equal treatment, mobility, and access to services for international students. By denying short-term foreign students the same access to discounted fares as Irish students, Irish Rail risks creating the perception of systemic exclusion and undermining Ireland's commitments to academic openness and international exchange.

In my view Irish Rail, as a semi-state entity providing essential public services, should adopt a more inclusive approach. This could include recognising valid international student identification, allowing institutional confirmation of enrolment, or issuing temporary travel discounts for verified visiting students. Failure to address this disparity weakens Ireland’s global reputation as an accessible and equitable destination.

Has a mobility problem when I arrived at Connolly Station got great help from staff and the lovely lady that was working on the train to Newry got me a great seat and got the ramp for getting on train lovely train staff that took care of me got a wheelchair when I arrived in Newry and got me on the bus to bus station great experience with the lovely staff

We have made extensive use of Irish Rail during our visit to the Republic in Ireland in late May/early June 2025. Stations have included Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Cork, Cobh, Clara and perhaps some others. Our trains have been relatively clean, extremely prompt, and really a joy to use. Reserved seats have had our names shown in a display so no one elso can claim them. Trolley service is quick and pleasant, with a wide selection of snacks and drinks. The station agents (especially in Cobh) have been very helpful and have answered our questions completely.

The ride quality is dramatically better on the intercity trains (Dublin to Cork, for example) than the more local trains (Limerick to Galway), and the local trains show more wear and tear. I think it would change some opinions if the toilet areas were simply spruced up with new walls and fixtures. They are a little too ugly due to use. The Intercity toilets are modern and attractive (and I only mention this because of some of the other reviews.)

It's said that you can set your watch (when we used to set watches) by Swiss and German train promptness. I would argue that our experience has been the same with the Irish trains.