Ireland’s first metro system promises faster journeys, reduced congestion, and a major boost to public transport infrastructure.
🚇 A Landmark Project for Dublin
The long‑awaited MetroLink project, valued at €9.5 billion, has officially been approved and is set to begin main construction in 2026. The project, overseen by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA), will deliver Ireland’s first metro system after decades of debate and planning theliberty.ie.
Enabling works are scheduled for late 2025, with procurement and tendering for major contracts already underway.
📍 Route and Features
- Length: 19 kilometres, mostly underground.
- Stations: 16 stops from Swords to Charlemont, including a direct link to Dublin Airport.
- Journey time: Airport to city centre in 20 minutes.
- Capacity: Trains capable of carrying 20,000 passengers per hour, running every three minutes at peak times.
🌍 Economic and Social Impact
The MetroLink is expected to:
- Transform Dublin’s transport network, easing congestion and reducing reliance on cars.
- Provide carbon‑neutral, fully electrified journeys, supporting Ireland’s climate goals.
- Deliver over one billion passenger trips by 2050, according to government projections Cities Today.
- Create thousands of jobs during construction and long‑term employment in operations.
⚠️ Cost Concerns
While the government has capped the budget at €9.5 billion, the Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) has warned against overruns, noting that MetroLink could become one of the most expensive underground rail projects globally Houses of the Oireachtas TheJournal.ie. Already, more than €150 million has been spent on design, planning, and investigations RTÉ.
🔑 What’s Next
- 2025: Enabling works and contract procurement.
- 2026: Full construction begins.
- 2035 (estimated): MetroLink operational, connecting Dublin’s north and south with a modern, high‑capacity transit system.
In summary: Dublin’s €9.5 billion MetroLink will break ground in 2026, delivering Ireland’s first metro line from Swords to Charlemont. With promises of faster airport access, reduced congestion, and climate‑friendly transport, the project is hailed as transformative—though concerns remain over cost control and delivery timelines.
Sources:
- The Liberty – Dublin’s €9.5bn MetroLink project to begin construction in 2026 theliberty.ie
- Oireachtas – PAC warns cost must not exceed €9.5bn Houses of the Oireachtas
- RTÉ – Over €150m spent on MetroLink to date RTÉ
- The Journal – MetroLink among most expensive underground rail projects TheJournal.ie
- Cities Today – Irish government approves €9.5bn MetroLink project Cities Today
