The Irish government has announced a major investment package worth €228 million ($263 million) to strengthen rail connectivity between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, supporting faster journeys and enhanced cross-border travel.
The funding, drawn from the final allocation of the Irish government’s Shared Island Fund, includes €193 million for upgrades along the Derry–Belfast–Dublin rail corridor. A further €35 million will help maintain hourly Enterprise rail services between Belfast and Dublin through at least 2030.
The investment forms part of a wider initiative designed to support projects that benefit communities on both sides of the border and improve economic, social, and tourism links across the island.
Under the plans, Irish and Northern Irish authorities will work together to improve connections between the Belfast–Dublin Enterprise service and the Belfast–Derry route, targeting transfer times of just 15 to 20 minutes.
New trains to arrive on Belfast-Dublin from 2028
The announcement comes as work progresses on a separate €698 million (£548 million) cross-border rail modernization project that aims to reduce Belfast–Dublin journey times to under two hours.
Eight new tri-mode Enterprise trains, capable of operating on electric, diesel, and battery power, are scheduled for delivery from Swiss manufacturer Stadler in late 2028. Full deployment is expected by 2030.
The new fleet will feature step-free access, expanded luggage and bicycle storage, USB charging points, power outlets, upgraded passenger information systems, and a premium Enterprise Plus cabin. A larger dining and bar area will also be included.
Transport operators hope the trains will support up to 16 daily services in each direction while reducing emissions and preparing the route for future electrification.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin described the project as a transformative step for rail travel on the island, noting that the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor is already home to more than two million people.
Alongside the rail investment, the Shared Island Fund will contribute €3 million toward the redevelopment of cricket facilities at Stormont in Belfast ahead of the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup in 2030, which Ireland and the UK are expected to co-host.
