Emerging Preferred Route for Navan Rail Line announced

The route follows a similar route to the original railway, making use of the disused railway corridor where possible

Completion of the Navan rail line is finally within reach as Transport Minister, Darragh O'Brien today confirmed the railway order for the 34km rail line will be lodged in 2028, as public consultation on the preferred route opens.

Iarnród Éireann has published the Emerging Preferred Route map for the long overdue Navan Railway, which will see the existing rail line extended from the M3 Parkway, with new stations proposed at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan Central and terminating at Navan North, allowing trains up to every 15 minutes at peak between Navan and Dublin’s Connolly Station.

The journey time of approximately 60 minutes from Navan to Dublin will ensure frequent, reliable and sustainable public transport, with capacity for up to 4,400 commuters each way per hour.

The four new stations will include three park and ride locations at Kilmessan, Dunshaughlin and Navan North.

The Navan North terminus and park and ride facility is expected to be located in the Windtown/Clonmagadden area close to where the old rail line crosses the Rathaldron Road.

The Navan Central Station will be located in the triangle of land bound by the Trim Road, Carriage Road and the Dan Shaw Road, which has also been earmarked for commercial and town centre development.

The Emerging Preferred Route follows a similar route to the original railway, which closed in 1963, making use of the disused railway corridor where possible.

A key revision is a change in the alignment to better serve the growing commuter town of Dunshaughlin and its environs, an outcome of the route selection process.

The new rail line with facilitate a direct DART service, which will finally link Dublin City Centre and Navan, the largest town in Ireland not currently on the passenger rail network.

The project is funded by the Department of Transport.

More than 10 years after initial proposals for the rail line were axed, commuters in the county are celebrating this weeks that the proposals are moving a step closer to becoming a reality.

Communities along the corridor and other stakeholders will be invited to give their feedback on the proposed plans, which are an integral part of the NTA’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy.

The Public Consultation has commenced and will remain open until 5pm on Friday 3rd July. It is the first of two non-statutory public consultations seeking the public’s feedback on the proposed plans.

The knowledge and insight of communities, residents, and businesses adjacent to the route, as well as other stakeholders, will inform the design and help Iarnród Éireann to shape the project plans, ensuring that it will maximise benefits for customers and the communities it will serve.

As well as online feedback, a series of consultation events will be held for those who would like to learn more about the project or contribute.

The project team will be available to discuss the project at the following public information events:

Navan Solstice Arts Centre (C15 KWP1) Wednesday 27 May, 2pm – 8pm

Dunshaughlin Pastoral Centre (A85 W886) Thursday 4 June, 2pm – 8pm

Navan Education Centre (C15 RK03) Tuesday 9 June, 3pm – 8pm

Station House Hotel, Kilmessan (C15 N40D) Tuesday 16 June, 2pm – 8pm

Minister Darragh O'Brien who visited Navan this morning to make the announcement said it marks a key milestone in plans to extend the DART system to Navan.

“As the largest town in Ireland without a railway service, this new line will meet the substantial demand from commuters in Navan and, thanks to new park and ride locations, those from further afield.

“With a journey time of only an hour, this new line will offer a frequent, reliable and sustainable alternative to the car. This public consultation is an opportunity for everyone to have their say on how this project benefits or impacts them.

“I want to thank all my government colleagues in Meath who worked tirelessly to ensure that the Navan Rail project remained a priority in the revised National Development Plan.”

Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Seán Canney added: “The Navan rail line is a key part of our programme to transform passenger rail services right across the State and builds on the existing DART+ programme.

"The towns of Navan and Dunshaughlin have grown rapidly over recent decades, and despite greatly enhanced bus frequencies and the construction of the M3 motorway, only a railway can meet the growing commuter demand in a sustainable manner.

"The two proposed stations in Navan will maximise local access to the new service, and I am particularly pleased at the inclusion of three park and ride sites along the new rail corridor, which will benefit commuters from further afield, including Kells and Cavan, and give them a realistic and sustainable alternative to driving all the way into Dublin city.”

Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Mary Considine said: “Our record investment in our rail network, supported by the Department for Transport and National Transport Authority, is all about enabling more people to use high-capacity, high-quality public transport.

"By connecting Navan – the largest town in Ireland not currently on the passenger rail network – to Dublin, as well as communities en route in Kilmessan and Dunshaughlin and beyond through park and ride, we will transform the public transport options for thousands of commuters daily. We look forward to hearing the views of communities and stakeholders through the public consultation, which will help us to deliver the best possible infrastructure and service.”

Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority Anne Shaw said: “This is a transformative project for County Meath and the wider Greater Dublin Area, reconnecting Navan and surrounding communities to the national rail network and providing a high-capacity, sustainable alternative to car travel.

"As these communities continue to grow, the Navan Railway will play a critical role in supporting housing, employment and economic development in a more balanced and climate-friendly way.

"We are encouraging everyone, including residents, businesses and stakeholders, to take the opportunity to engage with this consultation process. Local knowledge and feedback are essential in helping to shape a railway that meets the needs of the communities it will serve for generations to come.”

Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: “This is a hugely important milestone for County Meath and a project that will transform how our communities connect, live and work. The Navan Railway will deliver real benefits on the ground—improving connectivity, supporting employment, and unlocking significant economic growth across the county. We look forward to working with our national partners to progress this vital infrastructure for the people of Meath.”

Minister Thomas Byrne said that after decades of discussion, people across Meath are finally seeing tangible progress on the delivery of rail for Navan and County Meath.

“This project will strengthen connectivity across the county, support future growth, and make daily life easier for thousands of commuters and families.

“The announcement of the preferred route is a significant milestone not just for Navan, but for communities right across Meath including Dunshaughlin and Ratoath. Investing in modern public transport is essential for balanced regional development, and I’m pleased to see this long-awaited project continuing to move forward.”

Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who had raised the rail line in the Seanad last week said she was delighted to be able to tell people in Navan about the public consultation.

“I am also really happy to see that we are still on track and that a railway order will be lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2028, which is only two years away. I believe this is the furthest we have gone on the Navan rail project.”

Meath West TD Aisling Dempsey said: “Towns like Navan have grown in size in recent years and it is essential that it has the much-needed infrastructure to reflect this growth.

“Today’s plan gives the Navan rail project a clear direction that the public can now engage with to give their views and feedback on how best this rail project can serve these communities. This project will be for the community so it is the community have their say in how best it will benefit them.

“This is a transformative project that when completed will benefit people of Meath for generations to come, as Meath continues to grow in size and regional importance it is important that we have strong viable alternatives to car travel, and what is published today is putting that reality in place.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke, speaking after a meeting with Iarnród Éireann, urged the Minister for Transport to ensure there is no slippage or delay with the delivery of the Navan rail line.

He said: “I had a positive meeting with Iarnród Éireann today on the Navan railway project. It is crystal clear that there is strong public demand and growing urgency to finally deliver the vital infrastructure for commuters in Meath.

“The Minister for Transport has confirmed that the preferred Navan rail line to Dublin is now available for public viewing and comments from today May 20th. This is a welcome step forward. The Minister responded to a parliamentary question I submitted last week where he said subject to Gate 1 approval, it is anticipated that a railway order for the project will be lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2028.

“However, I am cautious that we have heard talk similar to this in the past and been let down. This Government cannot afford to miss key targets or allow further delays to this project. If they are serious about seeing trains running from Navan to Dublin between 2031 – 2036 then firm commitments, clear milestones and sustained investment are now essential.

“The people of Meath have waited decades for this infrastructure, while successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments have failed to deliver. Deputy Darren O’Rourke, Meaths Sinn Féin councillors and I will continue to campaign and apply pressure to ensure that another generation of people in Meath are not let down by broken promises, and that we finally see the delivery of the Navan rail line in our lifetime.”