Western Rail Corridor Athenry to Claremorris Construction Scheduled for 2028
Saturday 26 September 2026
Construction to reinstate the rail line between Athenry and Claremorris is funded to begin in 2028, with pre-construction surveys and consultant appraisals under way.
Construction on reinstating the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris is scheduled to begin in 2028, the Seanad has heard.
Responding to queries from Senator Mark Duffy regarding the western rail line, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney confirmed that funding has been allocated under the National Development Plan to start building works in 2028.
According to the Minister of State, pre-construction activities along the alignment are actively progressing. These works include vegetation clearance alongside detailed structural surveys of bridges and embankments, incorporating the reinstatement of the bridge located at Ballyglunin.
Iarnród Éireann has also engaged a multidisciplinary consultant to prepare the project appraisal documentation required under the Government's infrastructure guidelines.
The reinstatement forms part of wider rail objectives following the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024 and the subsequent Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. The strategy designated Athenry to Claremorris as the first major long-term project to proceed to construction.
Separately, €100 million has been allocated under the National Development Plan for earlier rail interventions targeted for delivery by 2030. These works encompass new passing loops and platforms, including works at Clara, Woodlawn, a passing loop west of Claremorris, and the recommissioning of platform 2 at Sligo station alongside a passing loop between Sligo and Boyle.