The Iarnród Éireann train service from Galway to Dublin still lacks catering since Covid-19 measures suspended it. However, other major routes, such as Dublin/Cork and Dublin/Belfast, both have had catering services return since pandemic measures were lifted.
In figures released to Sinn Féin TD for Galway West, Mairéad Farrell, ridership figures for 2025 show that the Galway/Dublin route had the second highest number of passengers, coming in at 2.798 million.
“This is an increase of 9% from 2024, which was 2.56 million on the Dublin-Galway route. Ridership on the route is increasing year-on-year and is set to increase even more when the Oranmore passing loop opens up. The Belfast/Dublin route, which has catering services, had 2.145 million passengers in 2025, far less than Galway/Dublin.
“The Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, previously stated that the catering service would return for the Galway service, but backtracked on this later, stating Iarnród Éireann was “working to restore catering services where possible.”
Iarnród Éireann cites rising catering costs for their inability to restore services.
Teachta Farrell has said:“Considering that many people acknowledge that benefits of train travel for commuting or day trips, it’s a pity a cup of tea or coffee and a snack still aren’t a feature on trains travelling from Galway to Dublin.
“This service was available up 2020 when pandemic restrictions temporarily put an end to the catering trolley. It has now returned on other train routes including the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast, but not on Dublin to Galway where ridership is higher than on Dublin to Belfast.
“The Minister for Transport previously announced that the catering service would return for Galway passengers, but has since backtracked on this, citing catering costs.
“However, if a decision is being made on the economics of the matter, ridership figures must be considered as part of that.
“The Galway-Dublin route had 2.798 million passengers last year, up from 2.56 million in 2024. This is the second most popular intercity route on the island, and ridership is due to increase further once the Oranmore passing loop is operational.“The Galway-Dublin train must prioritised for catering services.”
