Overview
The southern end of this line sits on part of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, which opened in 1834 between Dublin and what is now Dún Laoghaire. Iarnród Éireann’s archive guide describes it as Ireland’s first railway. Today’s Dublin–Rosslare route runs from the capital to the ferry port at Rosslare, operated by Iarnród Éireann.
For a short coastal outing, take a DART to Bray or Greystones. South of Bray the railway threads tunnels around the headland and opens out again above the shore, and it carries on through County Wicklow into County Wexford. For a longer journey, trains run from Dublin Connolly through Wicklow and Wexford to Rosslare Europort. Check that your chosen train runs all the way to the port, as some services finish earlier.
A Victorian Pioneer: The Line’s History
The westernmost stretch of this route, between Westland Row (now Dublin Pearse) and just beyond Salthill & Monkstown, is the oldest part of the railway. It opened in 1834 as the Dublin & Kingstown Railway, originally terminating at Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) beside the harbour’s West Pier.
The line evolved significantly over the centuries. Semaphore signalling remained in use south of Wicklow until April 2008, when a modern mini-CTC system was installed and centralised at Greystones. Freight operations, which once carried ammonia, fertiliser and cement to industrial sites like Shelton Abbey near Arklow, ceased in 2002.
A short-lived branch once diverged at Woodenbridge to serve Shillelagh. Opened in 1865 and closed to passengers in 1944, its former trackbed now forms the Tinahely Railway Walk, a quiet off-road trail following the Aughrim River through the Vale of Avoca. Avoca station on the main line closed in 1964.
The Journey: Scenic Highlights & Key Stops
The railway is a way to see the coast between the towns. South of Bray, the single-track alignment runs close to the edge of the Irish Sea, alternating between coves, tunnels and headlands. Key stops and viewing points include:
- Bray & Bray Head – Bray has a seafront promenade near the station. The track runs along the cliffs of Bray Head, with sea views from the train.
- Greystones – a harbour and a village centre within walking distance of the station. The through cliff walk between Bray and Greystones remains closed, so the railway is the way to see the coast between the two towns.
- Wicklow – a gateway to the Wicklow Mountains, the station sits near the historic Wicklow Jail and the East Coast Wetlands, a designated nature reserve known for kingfishers, swans and migratory waders.
- Arklow – a historic river port with maritime heritage and the Arklow Maritime Museum.
- Gorey – a traditional market town with access to the sandy shores of Courtown.
- Wexford – the line crosses the Slaney estuary near Wexford and runs alongside the harbour, near the mouth of the River Slaney. The town itself is a cultural hub with an annual opera festival and medieval ruins.
- Rosslare Strand – a seaside village with long beaches. Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Europort are separate stations, so use the Europort stop for ferries.
Choose one stop and check onward trains before breaking the journey. Wicklow, Arklow and Wexford are all possible stops on the Rosslare route.
For walkers, several stations provide access to established trails. Greystones connects to the Dublin Coastal Way, while stops near Killiney and Dalkey offer routes up to the Obelisk Hill and Killiney Hill, both with views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow range.
Practical Information for Passengers
Timetables & Journey Times
Use Iarnród Éireann’s timetable and Journey Planner for the date you travel, and check engineering works before leaving. Service patterns differ between the DART and the through trains, and the line is single track south of Bray, so allow slack if you are connecting.
Fares & Ticketing
Fares, reservations and concessions change, so check them on the Iarnród Éireann website for your date and journey before you buy.
Accessibility & Bicycles
Check the operator’s accessibility guidance and arrange any assistance before travel. Book a bicycle space in advance on InterCity trains and check the separate DART bicycle rules.
Parking
Check parking arrangements at your starting station before you travel, and at Rosslare Europort on the port’s passenger page.
Ferry Connections at Rosslare Europort
Rosslare Europort station is the stop for ferries. Leave time to walk from the station to the terminal and meet the operator’s check-in deadline. Rosslare Europort lists passenger routes and operator contacts. Sailings and ferry-rail connections change, so verify times with the Irish Rail Journey Planner and the ferry operator.
Protecting the Coastal Route
The section between Wicklow and Bray runs alongside The Murrough, a Natura 2000 wetland recognised for its rich birdlife and plant diversity. Coastal erosion poses a long-term challenge to the infrastructure. In December 2015, a clay cliff collapse brought the railway fencing within two metres of the sea, prompting an emergency response that installed rock armour along a stretch of the track.
In 2022, Iarnród Éireann launched the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) programme. The multi-year initiative includes environmental assessments and coastal defence works such as breakwaters, beach nourishment and strengthened revetments, aimed at safeguarding the line against sea-level rise and storm surges.
Planning Your Trip
For the best experience, check the live times in the Irish Rail app first and book bicycle spaces and any assistance in advance. If you prefer a slower pace, break the journey at Wicklow or Arklow for a half-day coastal walk, then continue south on a later service, but remember that the single track leaves little slack for a missed connection and engineering works can change the timetable.