Restoring the Western Rail Corridor

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review encompasses numerous important recommendations, but one for me is significant: reinstating the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. This reinstatement in necessary for a more connected Ireland, writes Keira Keogh TD.

I am lucky enough to have essentially a door-to-door service from Westport to Dublin, and I know the value of good public transport. Consequently, I also know its limits.

If my constituents want to travel from Mayo to Galway, our nearest city, they must take a detour to Athlone. If they want to visit Sligo, they must either drive or rely on the bus. While this may seem like a small inconvenience, for families, students, and workers who rely on these services to commute each and every day, these inconveniences shape their lives.

The Claremorris-Athenry line once formed a vital link from the northwest to the south and west of Ireland. It connected Mayo with Galway, Limerick, and even Cork. It opened up routes that did not require a detour through the midlands. Its closure cut Mayo’s access to significant parts of the national rail network.

The restoration of the Claremorris-Athenry rail line would be highly beneficial for our region. It would directly reconnect Mayo to Galway and consequently increase educational, economic, and tourism opportunities. It would enable students to commute to third level institutions in Galway or even Limerick without relying on cars, lessening the demand in housing hot spots in those cities.

Proven impact

We have seen the tangible results of opening sections of the Western Rail Corridor. When a portion of the corridor in Limerick reopened, passenger numbers increased, and there was a lift in economic activity. This is a proven, positive impact.

The opportunities for freight cannot be overstated. Ballina plays a regional key role as a freight hub that connects Mayo to industries in Dublin Port. With strategic investment, that link could be strengthened, making Mayo a logistics leader. I would love to see us go further. If we could get the train to Shannon Airport and the train to Knock Airport, just imagine the industry we could support. It would also reduce the number of freight trucks on the roads, reducing road wear, lowering our emissions, and supporting our climate commitments.

Tourism potential

Furthermore, there is also untapped tourism potential. The west of Ireland is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions in the country, but in many areas, it is not easy to reach unless you have access to a car. A reinstated Western Rail Corridor could become part of a rail journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, linking cities, coastal towns, and rural heritage sites. It could enable visitors to fly into Knock Airport, and in a small amount of time be connected by rail to Galway, Limerick, or even further south. Destinations could be combined in one holiday without the need for car hire.

In isolation, these all may sound like small details, but they all add up to the same sentiment: Mayo and the west cannot be left behind. The reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor is about fairness, growth, and sustainability. It also serves as a mechanism to make the west of Ireland an accessible world class destination. The people of the west of Ireland, have waited long enough. It is time to unlock the opportunities that the region deserves.