Minister Canney welcomes record year for rail across the country
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed new passenger figures from Iarnród Éireann showing that 2025 was the strongest year ever for rail services across the country.
More than 55 million journeys were made across the network last year- up significantly on 2024 and the highest total on record.
The Galway/Dublin Intercity line carried 2.8 million passengers in 2025, more than 9% higher than the previous year. Services between Galway and Limerick also continued to build steadily, rising to 770,000 journeys.
The Westport route saw over 773,000 passengers travel during the year, an increase of 8.3%. On the Sligo line, numbers passed the 1.5 million mark – comfortably ahead of pre-pandemic levels. Limerick’s Intercity service also exceeded 1.09 million journeys, reflecting growth of over 9% year-on-year.
Cork services moved beyond four million journeys for the first time, reaching 4.04 million – up from 3.52 million in 2024. On the Kerry route, passenger numbers approached one million at 962,000, while Waterford services climbed strongly to 1.92 million journeys, a rise of 10.5%.
Welcoming the figures, Minister Canney said: “What these numbers show is simple – people are choosing rail. Whether it’s commuting, college, business travel or visiting family, more people are relying on our Intercity network than ever before.
“The All-Island Strategic Rail Review, the implementation of which falls under my remit, is about making sure we stay ahead of that demand. Record figures are positive, but they also bring responsibility. We have to keep expanding capacity and improving services, so the network continues to meet the needs of communities right across the country.”
Minister Canney added that continued investment under the National Development Plan and the prioritised projects identified through the All-Island Strategic Rail Review will ensure that capacity and frequency can continue to expand in line with growing demand.