Big change for Cobh and Midleton trains as Irish Rail confirms new timetables

There’s very good news for the fast growing towns of Cobh and Midleton – and the communities between them and the city – with the confirmation that Irish Rail is ready to significantly expand the timetable.

After listening to extensive customer feedback, there will be a major expansion of weekend services on the Cork/Cobh and Cork/Midleton routes from 25th August under the proposed new rail timetable announced by Iarnród Éireann today.

The rail company, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, is planning to implement timetable alterations from 25th August 2024.

Highlights of the proposed new timetables are:

• 10 new Saturday services in each direction on Cork/Cobh Commuter, delivering a half-hourly service on Saturdays.
• 4 new Sunday services in each direction on Cork/Cobh Commuter
• 6 new Sunday services in each direction on Cork/Midleton Commuter, delivering an hourly all-day service on both routes on Sundays.

There is still public consultation going on and that will remain open until Thursday 13th June.Full draft timetables, and the consultation feedback form are available from the Irish Rail website.

An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson said “in 2024, we are set to see the highest ever number of passengers on our network, and Cork commuter routes specifically have seen the highest post-COVID growth of any routes on the network.

Having improved weekday services in recent years, this expansion of weekend Cobh and Midleton service will further strengthen the service. We encourage all current customers and all considering rail for their sustainable travel options to review the proposed changes, and give us their feedback, as we finalise the new schedule.”

The new train services are set to boost visitor traffic to both towns over the weekend – with Midleton now within easy and regular reach by rail, for events such as its famous weekend farmer’s market.