News & updates:
SERVICES RESUMED ON TUESDAY 4TH MAY, 2021.
coronavirus pandemic closure:
DUE TO THE REDUCTION IN DEMAND (ARISING FROM THE LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS) SERVICES WERE SUSPENDED AFTER THE OPERATION OF THE EVENING TRAINS ON SATURDAY 9TH JANUARY, 2021 AND resumed on tuesday 4th may, 2021 (THE EARLIER DATES OF MONDAY 1ST FEBRUARY, MONDAY 8TH MARCH & MONDAY 29TH MARCH, 2021, ORIGINALLY PLANNED, weRE CANCELLED).
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THE RAIL SERVICE ON THE WATERFORD - CLONMEL - LIMERICK JUNCTION LINE IS, AT PRESENT, SUSPENDED UNTIL MONDAY 31ST AUGUST 2020 AFTER THE LAST TRAIN ON SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 2020.
THE LATEST UPDATES FROM IRISH RAIL MAY BE VIEWED HERE
THIS SATURDAY'S (28TH MARCH) TRAINS ARE AT 07.20 & 16.30 EX WATERFORD AND AT 10.00 & 19.17 EX LIMERICK JUNCTION.
New South Tipperary line rail timetable commences Monday 11th December, 2017:
Minor changes to timings of a few minutes come into effect on this date. The 09.45 Limerick Junction to Waterford now departs at 09.40. A copy of the new timetable in PDF format is available on the Irish Rail website.
!!! New sailing schedule on Rosslare - Fishguard route commences at 08.00 on Monday 22nd May 2017. Please see updated info on Sea & rail via Rosslare page and visit sister website Rosslare Rail & sea !
NEW ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM !
After a gap of several years online bookings have been reintroduced from Monday 24th April 2017 for journeys to/from South Tipperary line stations as part of Iarnród Éireann's new booking system.
Tipperary Town to Dublin city centre adult single from €20.68*
Cahir to Dublin city centre adult single from €22.68*
Clonmel - Dublin city centre adult single from €23.68*
(* = includes transfer by Dublin Bus route 145 or LUAS tram from Heuston to city centre)
For further info & bookings please visit the Irish Rail website
Irish Rail was 30 years old on 2nd February, 2017.
One can view #24HRSinIE on Twitter for an insight into what happens behind the scenes to deliver the rail service.
Public consultation on Rail Review: Closure of the Waterford – Clonmel – Limerick Junction line identified as a possible measure to plug the funding gap.
A public consultation on the review of rail services is underway. The consultation material can be accessed here.
(Item posted: 01/2017)
Special event at Waterford Plunkett Station Saturday 25th June @ 13.15hrs:
As part of Irish Rail’s 1916 commemoration programme the company is in partnership with the Royal Irish Academy hosting a special event at Plunkett station on Saturday 25th June 2016 at 13.15hrs to remember Joseph Mary Plunkett after whom the station was renamed in 1966. All are welcome and light refreshments will be served.
(Item posted: 25/06/2016)
NEW RAIL FARES
New rail fares came into effect on Tuesday 1st December 2015.
For further info please see Irish Rail's page about the new fares
Special Day return fares from Waterford:
Special day return fares are available as follows:
Waterford to Limerick €13.80
Waterford to Cork €17.30
Waterford to Killarney €18.80
Waterford to Tralee €19.30
Waterford to Galway €19.30
NB: these tickets are not available for travel in the opposite direction (i.e. for day return tickets purchased in Limerick/Cork etc… to travel to Waterford). The fares quoted are adult day returns.
(Item posted: 04/09/2015)
Stations in the stations:
On Friday 3rd April, 2015 (Good Friday) the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory will visit fifteen stations including Waterford Plunkett, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and Tipperary on a journey of reflection. All are welcome to attend any station. A reflection specific to the day and area will be delivered by the Bishop at each station visited. The timetable and further details may be viewed on the Diocese's website.
(Item posted: 31/03/2015)
Additional trains for Waterford Winterval:
A number of additional trains will operate Clonmel- Carrick-on-Suir - Waterford during Waterford Winterval - Ireland's Christmas Festival.
Full details of the wide range of fun and exciting events may be obtained from the Waterford Winterval website.
(Item posted: 29/10/2014; amended 09/11/2014)
Please double check the timings of the special trains (shaded in yellow) with Irish Rail closer to the time.
Plan for enhancement of Clonmel station & promotion of services:
News type: community & facilities.
A two-phase plan to enhance the overall experience of using Clonmel railway station and entice new users to the rail services has been announced.
To be implemented by the end of this year, the plan will firstly focus on the station environment and facilities. Measures to enhance same will be implemented thereby according rail users the best experience possible when they come to catch a train or alight from one.
The second phase of the plan will be promotional in nature and will concentrate on heightening awareness of the rail services and aspects thereof.
More details of the plan may be read on the Clonmel Online website.
(Item posted: 21/02/2014)
News type: community & facilities.
A two-phase plan to enhance the overall experience of using Clonmel railway station and entice new users to the rail services has been announced.
To be implemented by the end of this year, the plan will firstly focus on the station environment and facilities. Measures to enhance same will be implemented thereby according rail users the best experience possible when they come to catch a train or alight from one.
The second phase of the plan will be promotional in nature and will concentrate on heightening awareness of the rail services and aspects thereof.
More details of the plan may be read on the Clonmel Online website.
(Item posted: 21/02/2014)
News type: operations - past news item:
Suspension of rail services to/from Waterford (bus transfers Carrick-on-Suir to Waterford):
Due to a landslide on New Year’s Eve at Mount Misery beside Waterford Plunkett railway station, rail services between the city and Carrick-on-Suir and between the city, Thomastown and Kilkenny were suspended until the afternoon of Monday 6th January, 2014. During this period all trains to and from Waterford were replaced by buses. The buses departed from Plunkett station at the same time as the respective trains were scheduled to depart but, understandably, took longer than the train to complete their journeys. Pictured hereunder is a replacement coach at Plunkett station.
Suspension of rail services to/from Waterford (bus transfers Carrick-on-Suir to Waterford):
Due to a landslide on New Year’s Eve at Mount Misery beside Waterford Plunkett railway station, rail services between the city and Carrick-on-Suir and between the city, Thomastown and Kilkenny were suspended until the afternoon of Monday 6th January, 2014. During this period all trains to and from Waterford were replaced by buses. The buses departed from Plunkett station at the same time as the respective trains were scheduled to depart but, understandably, took longer than the train to complete their journeys. Pictured hereunder is a replacement coach at Plunkett station.
Carrick-on-Suir passing loop - (news type: infrastructural):
On Friday 29th November 2013 and the following day rail services were replaced by buses between Waterford and Limerick Junction and vice versa. The passing loop at Carrick-on-Suir railway station was removed at this time (a passing loop is a track which allows a train pass another train).
The station viewed from Cregg Road level crossing in January 2014.
December 2012.
Christmas & New Year rail service (2013-2014): South Tipperary line rail services will operate as normal until Tuesday 24th December inclusive. No service Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th & Friday 27th. Normal service Saturday 28th. No service Sunday 29th. Normal service Monday 30th & Tuesday 31st. No service Wednesday 1st January 2014. Normal service resumes Thursday 2nd January 2014.
(Item archived from homepage to news page:03/01/2014).
(Item archived from homepage to news page:03/01/2014).
The Gathering unlimited rail & bus travel ticket/pass:
As part of The Gathering (clan gatherings, festivals,
special sporting events, music and concerts happening throughout the country
all year) a special Gathering bus and rail pass/ticket was launched
in late-March.
The ticket allows unlimited travel on scheduled Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann services within the Republic of Ireland. Only available as an adult ticket, one can choose either 3 consecutive days of travel for €99 or 7 consecutive days for €199.
The ticket is purchasable over the counter at the following railway stations: Limerick Colbert, Dublin Heuston, Cork Kent, Dublin Connolly, Galway Ceannt, Killarney and Sligo MacDiarmada.
It can be also purchased online at the Bus Éireann website. The ticket is only available for purchase and travel during 2013.
(Item posted: 08/08/2013)
The ticket allows unlimited travel on scheduled Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann services within the Republic of Ireland. Only available as an adult ticket, one can choose either 3 consecutive days of travel for €99 or 7 consecutive days for €199.
The ticket is purchasable over the counter at the following railway stations: Limerick Colbert, Dublin Heuston, Cork Kent, Dublin Connolly, Galway Ceannt, Killarney and Sligo MacDiarmada.
It can be also purchased online at the Bus Éireann website. The ticket is only available for purchase and travel during 2013.
(Item posted: 08/08/2013)
Footpath improvement at Tipperary railway station:
In recent months the gravel footpath between the platform gate and car park at Tipperary railway station has been replaced by a cement one as illustrated.
(Item posted: 08/08/2013)
InterCity railcars being used on the line:
In the last two months or so InterCity railcars are working services on the line. It is unknown if this is a trial or a permanent arrangement. These trains have a number of features including:
· Scrolling passenger information displays at the end of each carriage. Also automated station announcements.
· Power sockets at every seat.
· Bicycle spaces (3 in total) & luggage areas.
· Toilets including wheelchair-accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities.
· Air conditioning.
(Item posted: 01/06/2013; photo updated 28/07/2013)
Carriage interior.
Coffee shop now open at Clonmel railway station:
The Blue Beret Café is open between 08.00 and 17.00 Mondays to
Saturdays inclusive.
Coffee €2
Tea €2
Scone, butter & jam €1.50
Sandwiches – assorted prices
Chocolate bars €1 Bottle of water €1
Bottle of mineral €1.50 Can of soft drink €1
This very welcome facility is operated by the Irish U.N. Veterans Association (Post 24 South Tipperary)
Have a cuppa before catching the train!
(Item posted: 07/05/2013)
Coffee €2
Tea €2
Scone, butter & jam €1.50
Sandwiches – assorted prices
Chocolate bars €1 Bottle of water €1
Bottle of mineral €1.50 Can of soft drink €1
This very welcome facility is operated by the Irish U.N. Veterans Association (Post 24 South Tipperary)
Have a cuppa before catching the train!
(Item posted: 07/05/2013)
Reopening of facilities at Clonmel railway station:
Waiting room and toilet facilities at Clonmel railway station reopened in recent weeks. This welcome development has been facilitated by an arrangement between the Irish U.N. Veterans Association (Post 24 South Tipperary) and Irish Rail. It is understood that the café facility will reopen in the near future.
New train timetable:
2013 Iarnród Éireann timetable effective from Sunday 20th January
Summary:
* reduction to two trains each way (no early-afternoon train).
* reduced journey times from Dublin.
* better evening connection to Limerick city.
Details:
Times of the two trains: From Monday 21st January the number of trains each way Waterford – Clonmel - Limerick Junction reduces from three a day to two a day Mondays to Saturdays inclusive (no service on Sundays). The 11.40 Waterford – Limerick Junction and 13.55 return are withdrawn. The 06.40 and 16.40 ex Waterford are retimed to 07.20 and 16.25 respectively. In the reverse direction the 08.55 and 18.50 ex Limerick Junction are retimed to 09.45 and 18.40 respectively.
Reduced journey times from Dublin: As a result of reduced journey times on the Dublin to Cork line, journey times from Heuston to Tipperary, Cahir and Clonmel are 7 or 8 minutes faster:
Dublin – Tipperary previous fastest 1 h 59; fastest now: 1 h 52 (+7)
Dublin – Cahir previous fastest 2 h 23; fastest now: 2 h 15 (+ 8)
Dublin – Clonmel previous fastest 2 h 40; fastest now: 2 h 32 (+8)
Better evening connection into Limerick: the previous 25 minute wait between trains at Limerick Junction for travel to Limerick reduces to 8 minutes. The evening train from Waterford reaches Limerick Junction at 18.05. The connecting train departs Limerick Junction at 18.13, arriving in Limerick at 18.40.
Wi-fi:
Wi-fi is available onboard trains on the line and indeed across the mainline rail network. The Wi-fi is free to use and a fair usage policy applies. The system was designed and put in place by FleetConnect.
Leaflet rack installed in Carrick-on-Suir waiting room:
A leaflet rack has been installed in the waiting room at Carrick-on-Suir railway station and contains an assortment of route timetables and other rail information leaflets.
Café at Clonmel railway station:
After the absence of a catering facility at the station for some time a café opened at the station on 5th March 2012. However the café subsequently closed.
Work on the permanent way:
Significant work on upgrading the track has been ongoing.
The vast majority of the line consists of continuously-welded rail (CWR).
The vast majority of the line consists of continuously-welded rail (CWR).
Tall Ships Races, Waterford, Summer 2011:
Additional trains operated between Clonmel and Waterford Plunkett (serving Carrick-on-Suir) during the Tall Ships Races events in Waterford in Summer 2011.
Proposed improvements to Cahir railway station:
The Cahir Local Area Plan published in 2011 presents South Tipperary County Council’s proposals for developing Cahir over the following six years.
In terms of the railway station the plan proposes to develop the railway station into a multi-modal transport interchange. A key aspect of this is the relocation of the Bus Éireann stops (currently streetside near Cahir Castle) to the railway station. It is further proposed to provide catering and toilet facilities at the station and to improve pedestrian, cycle and vehicular linkages between the railway station and the centre of the town.
Publicity:
Iarnród Éireann has produced a number of posters and leaflets over the last few years and in association with South Tipperary County Council.
May 2011 leaflet - front
May 2011 leaflet - rear
Date of last update to this page: 24th August, 2018: archiving of news items.
