Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail Reviews 

I have returned to using Irish Rail after some bad experiences a few years ago (rowdiness and drunken passengers). It was a pleasant surprise to find the train clean, fresh and well monitored, with no alcohol served. Each time I’ve used the train it’s been on time and well managed. One difficult issue arose today though. I got on the 8.55 train in Limerick, heading to Dublin. I found a seat that was not pre booked and settled in for the journey. However, when passengers got on at Thurles I was told that I was occupying their seat. I was astonished to see that the indicator above my seat now stated booked! I had to move. I raised the matter with the staff member who said it occurs due to a computer glitch. I heard other passengers in the carriage raising the same issue. So sitting in a vacant seat is no guarantee that it’s yours for the journey.

Really bad service. Constant delays.

Crap service since the new, and subsequent newer, timetables. All Drogheda commuter trains continue to be late and many are so full (there are now less trains scheduled) that you cannot get on them by the time they arrive into donabate. It used to be a good service. Am now having to get earlier train to be sure of getting to work on time.

Another 1 star review for this great Irish company.
Management is useless, trains are always late and the old signal fault issue is always around the corner.
In 24 years they managed to make zero improvements on their services.
Thank you Irish rail

Every single day whether I'm going into work or coming home from work the trains are delayed. 8.21 AM train from Portarlington to Heuston, it's 8.50 AM and train still sitting outside Portarlington. Absolute joke and so unfair.

Irish Rail are the worst. The new timetables are awful, they have more trains terminating at Connolly which is making trains that go further more jammed with people who don’t want to transfer. Trains are also regularly late and a SINGLE track in each direction for the Dundalk line means trains regularly get delayed due to line congestion. They only count a train as being ‘late” if it’s 10 mins past the scheduled time!! Send IR clown management to Japan and South Korea so they can see what a proper train service looks like.

What a joke. You can buy a ticket in (Heuston) station and not guarantee to get on the train as system do not inform you about it and staff not explaining anything and blame that its your fault and they shouldn't inform you about it. Audio announcement if you will understand that first of all coming after you purchase the ticket. Sounds like they don't know how many seats they have and how many tickets they can sell. If you ho to shop, pay for juar say electronics and just then they will tell you that iten not available when other buyer passing by with same item. And person at the till decide when you will get your item
Haven't seen worst service anywhere else

I have recently had the pleasure of travailing by train from Mallow to Killarney (return). The conductor Rodney (Dave to his friends) must be the most considerate and obliging employee on the entire Iarnród Éireann staff. His should get an award. Outstanding.

New timetable which is a joke. The peak hour trains on my route are less frequent now and of course running late. I just have to get an earlier train to arrive when the later train used to.
Do something, it’s a disgrace!

My thanks to host on train from Mallow to Dublin 28th August for his help in locating my Apple Watch left on train from Killarney to Mallow. Help very much appreciated.

Irish rail run a really poor service. Trains never run on time and passenger information is non existent. The worst thing is they don't care as there's no competition. Stay at home if you can or live near work. Buses are far better.

Absolute disgrace of a national rail system. An embarrassment to the country. Shameful shameful stuff. Nothing runs on time, not even informed of the 40 mins delay. Total joke.

I’ve been a regular customer of Irish Rail, but my recent experience was nothing short of shocking. I was traveling from Cork to Dublin on the 13th of August, 2024, with a first-class ticket. Due to unforeseen traffic, I missed my scheduled train. A staff member kindly informed me that I could take the next train without purchasing a new ticket. However, when the ticket inspector, Rafael, approached me, the situation escalated dramatically.

Despite explaining that I had been given permission to board, Rafael became confrontational, insisting that I did not have a valid ticket and demanding that I leave the train. He then began shouting at me, getting so close that I could feel his saliva. To make matters worse, he attempted to grab my phone, which was completely inappropriate and unprofessional.

When security and another staff member intervened, they were understanding and tried to resolve the situation by offering me the chance to purchase a new ticket, which I agreed to. However, Rafael refused to allow me to stay on the train, falsely accusing me of being aggressive and making threats, which other witnesses confirmed were untrue. His behavior caused a significant delay of about twenty minutes.

While the other staff members, including the station manager in Cork, were courteous and did their best to assist me, Rafael’s conduct was utterly unacceptable and unprofessional. I expect better from Irish Rail and hope they will take appropriate action to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

This incident has seriously impacted my perception of Irish Rail, and I would appreciate a proper resolution to this matter.

I found there customer care excellent when i had an issue and yhis is always a sign of a good company .

Portlaoise station is atrocious. Between trying to find your way around it’s like a maze the toilet has no toilet roll it’s disgusting and no human being to talk to!!

This company is still living in the past. We go the train from Cork to Dublin,changing in Malow.
We could not get a cup of tea or coffee on the train.
What a terrible service from a state run company. They have no competition so they get away with this sort or service. They would not last 5 minutes in the real business world.

My brother and I were waiting for the 12.45 train to Westport. We were waiting in the queue waiting to board. A man with a dog in a carry cage started to ram the cage into my brother's leg. We were in front of the man right in front of of the machine that takes the tickets. There was a Irish rail man with a orange visor on him . My brother asked the Irish rail worker to ask the man with the dog to stop ramming the dog carrier into his leg. He tipped the man on the shoulder and he turned around and said do not put your hands on me. My brother tried to explain that the man was ramming the dog cage in to his legs and the irish rail worker said stop you are giving me a head ache. My brother asked the man once again to help him and he told me brother if you don't stop I'll put you off the train and you won't be travelling. My brother asked him to listen to him and he kept raising his voice. With that 3 security guards approached. I asked the Irish rail worker did you not hear what was going on . He started to raise his voice at me . I tried to explain what was going on and he would not listen. The man with the dog started again while boarding the train . My brother told the man to go away from him. With that another Irish rail worker started to shout at us. My brother went on and boarded the train while.the Irish rail worker kept raising his voice at me. I told the Irish rail worker what had happened and he said to me that the other man with the dog was dealt with. He wasn't dealt with at all. He was allowed on to the train and nothing was said to him at all. They need to learn to communicate and listen to what was happening instead of shouting and telling people they have a head ache. My brother asked for help not to get abused by staff.

Meant to leave Sligo station at 7:05, but due to the oncoming train being delayed caused this train to be delayed by 40+ minutes. An absolute joke, happens all the time such poor service making everyone late for work etc

I live between London and Dublin and frequently travel on both London underground and overland rail system. Irish Rail stands tall when compared to London rail. I was on the Cork train today to Dublin fill of Cork supporters. Despites 1000's travelling today each train left on time and everyone serving us was great. Thank you for all the great work and support!

I have been using Irish Rail for many years now and it is a service that genuinely looks after it’s customers and it’s very clear! I have had situations where I took the wrong train and they have inconveniently sent a train for me at 11pm. They have escorted me to sit with the driver when I had issues with rowdy passengers on the train. Truly the kindest employees who go above and beyond. Thank you!!