Aesthetics and Convenience are Top on the List for Galway’s Upgraded Ceannt Station

by Emma F. Smith

Redevelopment at Galway’s Ceannt station and other tracks is the beginning of a domino effect that will increase frequency times going to Athenry and Dublin.

The train station in Galway city centre remains under construction with a €26m budget to add more platforms and enhance the aesthetic altogether. Hope for this investment is that the frequency of trains to Athenry would increase to 10-minute intervals, as trains to Dublin would increase by 1-hour intervals with the help of twin tracking. Though no government funding has been approved for such a project.

However, the other improvements that are underway are pivotal pieces to build capacity, frequency, and reliability, according to Jim Meade, CEO of Iarnród Éireann, speaking at a stakeholder briefing on the projects.  

“The Ceannt Station redevelopment is about converting what was a dark, one-and-a-half platform station into a five-platform station, and future-proofing it for decades and generations to come.” According to Irish Rail, advancements at the station range from a new, attractive entrance with retail units and a new fully covered, windowed ceiling. The ceiling, inspired by the Botanic Gardens designed by Richard Turner, will allow for natural light through the Victorian style wrought iron work that is planned.

A passing loop and second platform at Oranmore station is also in the works with efforts to propel efficiency as the Irish Rail invests €16m, €9m coming from the European Regional Fund.

Completion of the projects is expected in mid-2026 and is right on track to get Galwegians on the track!