Overview
The Dublin-Sligo InterCity line is Ireland’s only direct rail connection to the northwest. Operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), the service runs ten times a day from Dublin Connolly to Sligo MacDiarmada station, covering roughly 150 miles in just under three hours. Passengers travel in modern blue-and-cream coaches equipped with comfortable seating, power sockets and on-board Wi-Fi. Note that there is currently no on-board trolley or catering service on this route; passengers are advised to purchase food and drinks at station facilities before boarding.
A Route Steeped in History
The line was constructed in stages between 1846 and the early 1860s, originally serving as part of the Dublin & Drogheda Railway before later becoming a key artery of the Midland Great Western Railway. Dublin’s starting point opened in November 1844 as Amiens Street Station, and was finally renamed Connolly in 1966 to honour the 1916 Easter Rising leader James Connolly. The same revolutionary tribute continues at the journey’s end, where Sligo’s terminal was renamed MacDiarmada station after local hero Sean Mac Diarmada.
The infrastructure has seen significant modernisation. Between 2023 and 2025, a €29.5 million upgrade replaced 15.5 miles of aging jointed rail and wooden sleepers between Longford and Mullingar with continuous welded rail and concrete sleepers. Completed in mid-2025, the work has noticeably reduced track noise and smoothed out the ride. Further improvements are planned for the Sligo-Boyle and Mullingar-Dublin sections, with operators targeting a sub-2-hour-45-minute journey time in the coming years.
Along the Line: Towns & Landscapes
The route functions as a moving corridor through Ireland’s heartland, with each stop offering a distinct slice of local history or landscape.
- Dublin to Mullingar: As the train pulls out of Connolly, Croke Park dominates the left-hand view – a reminder of Ireland’s sporting culture. The line soon skirts the Royal Canal near Maynooth before reaching Mullingar, a town woven into the Children of Lir legend. The nearby Lough Owel and Lough Ennell are still known for trout fishing and wildfowling.
- Mullingar to Ballymote: The train crosses into counties Longford and Leitrim, passing through Edgeworthstown and Longford (a name derived from the Norse words for “ship” and “ford”). At Dromod, railway enthusiasts often note the preserved narrow-guage heritage line nearby. The journey then crosses the River Shannon just before Carrick-on-Shannon, followed by Boyle, birthplace of actress Maureen O’Sullivan. In Ballymote, visitors can step out to see the monument to Brigadier General Michael Corcoran and pay respects to Brother Walfrid, founder of Celtic FC.
- Ballymote to Sligo: The final stretch passes through Collooney, site of a pivotal 1798 Rebellion battle, before the landscape opens up toward the Curlew Mountains. As the train approaches Sligo, the distinctive silhouette of Benbulben appears on the horizon, setting the scene for the Yeats-inspired northwest.
Sligo MacDiarmada station is a restored 1862 greystone building, complete with historical plaques and photographs detailing the line’s evolution. Directly beneath the platforms sits the Bus Éireann depot, providing seamless onward connections to the town centre, Drumcliffe and the Lake Isle of Innisfree on Lough Gill.
Practical Information
Timetables & Booking
Services run approximately every two hours from early morning until late evening. The Irish Rail Journey Planner is the most reliable tool for checking real-time departures and purchasing tickets. You can book up to 90 days in advance. After purchase, tickets can be collected from any Ticket Vending Machine on the network or downloaded as a QR ticket compatible with Apple Wallet and Google Pay.
Fares & Passes
Fares are calculated using a distance-based grid (classes A-U). For the full Dublin-Sligo run, an adult single ticket costs €31.65 and a day return €34.95. Family Day Return tickets range from €13.50 for short hops to €60.00 for the full route. Children under five travel free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult; those aged five to 18 require a child ticket. Young Adult and Student Leap Card holders receive discounted fares, and Free Travel/DSFA pass holders can reserve a seat online (a €2.50 fee applies once the free allocation is exhausted).
On Board & Accessibility
Each train features a limited number of wheelchair-accessible spaces. Because availability is restricted, passengers who require these spaces must book their seat in advance via the Journey Planner. There is no on-board trolley or catering service, so bringing your own picnic, water and refreshments is highly recommended. Standard class seating is comfortable, and power sockets are available at most seats.
Travel Tips
- Book early for weekends: The service is popular with commuters, students and tourists. Weekends and school holidays see higher demand, and advance booking guarantees both a seat and any required accessibility space.
- Check for track works: Ongoing infrastructure upgrades occasionally require temporary bus replacements, particularly on the Longford-Mullingar section. The Journey Planner provides live disruption alerts.
- Use the Luas/Bus add-on: If you need to reach Dublin Heuston, George’s Dock or Leeson Street from Connolly, add a €1.40 single or €2.70 return bus/Luas ticket to your rail booking.
- Plan your Sligo connection: The station’s direct link to the Bus Éireann depot means you can step off the train and board a local service within minutes. Timetables align with most InterCity arrivals, making it easy to reach Yeats Country without a car.
Check the Irish Rail Journey Planner at least a week ahead if you’re travelling during peak season, and pack a light lunch to enjoy while watching the midlands roll by.