DonabatePortrane.net

Hi. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why the 17.21 train from Connolly does not stop at Donabate but goes directly to Rush? As we are on the commuter line and not yet the Dart line, I don't quite understand why the first stop is not Donabate? I have tried contacting Irish Rail but they have not answered my query. Does anyone else find this frustrating and does anyone know how to get it changed so it stops at Donabate? Thanks

Not making excuses for Irish Rail here but the loading on that train is quite heavy and it never stopped in Donabate. That's why we got the 17:07 from Connolly instead.

Yes, it's probably to spread the load across different trains.

Having said that it may just be an oversight, Irish Rail very nearly dropped Donabate from the 18.40 Connolly express service - even though half that train always gets off at Donabate. They clearly don't research who their customers are very well.

I don't understand why loading might be the reason, don't all other commuter trains stop in Portmarnock and Malahide even though they are also serviced by the DART. I agree, it's baffling why the 5:21 runs straight from Connolly to Rush/Lusk and because of this I have to wait for the 5:28 which is jammed because it originates in Bray and services Clongriffin, Portmarnock and Malahide? It's baffling. I did ring and write to Irish Rail but I too never received a response.

Hmm, I'll send an email myself so and encourage others. All trains should really stop at Donabate given there's no regular bus service into town.

The 17:21 train goes all the way to Dundalk and doesn't call anywhere before Rush & Lusk. The 17:07 calls at Howth Junction, Portmarnock and then all stations to Balbriggan.

The 17:21 is stuffed. That is why they put the 17:07 on as a relief for it because folk heading to Dundalk were being left behind on the 17:21. It's the best part of 40 minutes before another train departs (c. 18:00) for Dundalk and it doesn't arrive there till sometime around 19:30. That's a long long wait if you miss the 17:21.

By all means write in and ask, but I reckon you're gonna get short shrift....

As an aside, I think the 17:28 should not be calling at Clongriffin, Portmarnock or Malahide. A DART goes to there just ahead of the Drogheda service and is lightly loaded in comparison to the sardine conditions on the 17:28.

One final thing, does anyone feel there is scope for an additional 33D in the mornings? Leaving Portrane at say 8:30 and reaching the village around 8:45? This would fill in the hole between the 8:32 and 9:06 trains...

Well, we're too late this time round. New timetable in effect from the 20th January. Available online.

Can anybody tell me the weekly/monthly price of a ticket from Donabate to Pearse Street, Thanks.

Daily return is €5.80 and a weekly return is €27.50, not sure about a monthly.

Thank you very much, tried to ring to find out and after holding on for ages they answered the phone and hung up!!