Irish Rail have announced their amended Christmas and New Years' timetable, which may impact the journeys of some Laois commuters.

Laois' three train stations, Ballybrophy, Portlaoise and Portarlington, will experience changes to their regular services.

Irish Rail is advising that revised schedules are to be expected, between Christmas Eve to New Year's Day.

See the Leinster Express / Laois Live's guide to this year's timetable below:

Full rail services summary – Wednesday 24th December 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2026 inclusive

Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December 2025

• Weekday InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes, with last services between 18:00hrs and 20:30hrs approx.
• DART and Commuter will operate a Saturday service with last services between 19:25hrs and 21:00hrs approx. Please check times at irishrail.ie
• Phoenix Park Tunnel Commuter (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service until 19:45hrs approx.
• Cork Commuter will operate a Saturday service until 20:00hrs to 21:00 hrs approx.

Christmas Day Thursday 25th December 2025 and St Stephen’s Day Friday 26th December 2025

• No train services operating on any routes.

Saturday 27th December 2025

• Normal Saturday service but with cancellations and alterations on certain Intercity routes.

Sunday 28th December 2025

• Normal Sunday service but with cancellations and alterations on certain Intercity routes.

Monday 29th to Tuesday 30th December 2025

• Revised and reduced InterCity services, check times before travel.
• Saturday service on DART and Commuter routes
• Saturday service on Cork Commuter routes.
• Saturday service on Portlaoise Commuter route.
• Revised Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) services.

New Year’s Eve Wednesday 31st December 2025

• Weekday InterCity service but with cancellations and alterations on certain routes
• Saturday service on DART and Commuter routes, with additional DART services to/from Howth and Dun Laoghaire for fireworks displays taking place at 19:00hrs
• Revised Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) services.
• Cork Commuter will operate a Saturday service.

Additional late-night services will operate after Dublin New Year’s Eve events:

• 01:30 and 02:30 from Dublin Pearse serving all stations to Howth
• 01:35 and 02:35 from Dublin Connollyserving all stations to Greystones
• 01:40 and 02:40 from Dublin Pearse, serving Tara St, Connolly, and all stations from Howth Junction to Dundalk (including Clongriffin, Portmarnock and Malahide)
• 01:20 and 03:05 from Dublin Pearse serving all stations to Maynooth
• 00:55 and 02:58 from Dublin Pearse serving all stations to Drumcondra, and all stations from ParkWest to Kildare

New Year’s Day Thursday 1st January 2026 

• Revised and reduced InterCity services, check times before travel.
• Sunday service on DART and Commuter routes
• Sunday service on Cork Commuter and Portlaoise Commuter route.
• No service on Phoenix Park Tunnel (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch to Newbridge) route.

Friday 2nd January 2026

Normal services resume on all routes.

• DART and Commuter will operate a Saturday service with last services between 19:25hrs and 21:00hrs approx. Please check times at irishrail.ie
• Phoenix Park Tunnel Commuter (Grand Canal Dock/Hazelhatch and Newbridge) route will operate a reduced service until 19:45hrs approx.
• Cork Commuter will operate a Saturday service until 20:00hrs to 21:00 hrs approx.

• Late night DART and Commuter services on the three weekendNew Year's Eve
• Revised schedules from Christmas Eve 24th December 2025 to New Year's Day 1st January 2026 inclusive
• All time changes are detailed on our journey planner, and services are available to book.

Late night DART and Commuter services

Late night services will operate after New Year’s festivities in Dublin city centre, with details below in the New Year’s Eve section.

Fares will be charged at normal rates, meaning customers can use Leapcard and buy cash fares for the best value Christmas travel option. 

Furthermore, weekly, monthly and annual season tickets are valid on late night services, so season ticket holders will be able to use the services at no extra charge.

Late night services will have security personnel on board to ensure customer safety.

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