Dublin train station opens 15 years after it was built

A Dublin train station that was built in 2009 was finally officially opened today. 

The long-awaited Kishoge Station in West Dublin was opened by Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless TD.

It is the 146th station on the Iarnród Éireann network. 

Kishoge, located between Clondalkin Fonthill and Adamstown Station, will ensure a high frequency, high capacity sustainable transport service is in place both for current commuters and for the new communities being developed at the Clonburris SDZ, now under development.  Ultimately, homes for up to 23,000 people will be delivered within the SDZ. 

Pictured: Councillor Vicki Casserly with her sons, Tom age 9 and Jame Casserly age 18, who is a travel/rail enthusiast @jimbosaccessibleadventures. Picture Jason Clarke

A total of 96 weekday (Monday to Friday) services will call at Kishoge, 48 in each direction, with Commuter services on the Portlaoise to Heuston route, and on the Newbridge/Hazelhatch to Connolly/Grand Canal Dock route serving the station. 

It will also be served by 36 trains on Saturdays and 15 trains on Sundays, with further weekend expansion planned on the route in late 2025. 

Journey times between Kishoge and Heuston will be as little as 14 minutes, and between Kishoge and Connolly will be from 28 minutes. 

Kishoge was originally developed in 2009 but did not open as the planned adjacent housing developments were put on hold due to the economic crisis. 

The station’s refurbishment and opening has been funded by the National Transport Authority to ensure its delivery in advance of the Clonburris development, and saw works including: 

• Renewal of lifts, and modifications to meet the most up to date accessibility standards 

• Renewal and replacement of all mechanical and electrical equipment. 

• Upgraded surfacing of platforms and concourse 

• Repair and upgrade of station building and glazing 

• New station and wayfinding signage, and new station furniture 

South Dublin County Council has also developed a temporary car park with 60 spaces adjacent to the station which will also be available from Monday. 

The station is on the route of the planned DART+ South West project, which will upgrade the service to DART through electrification, and deliver infrastructure improvements on the routes between Hazelhatch and Dublin city centre to deliver higher frequency of services and up to four times the capacity for commuters along the route. 

A Railway Order application has been made to An Bord Pleanála for DART+ South West, and a decision is awaited. 

Minister Lawless, speaking at the opening, said: “I am delighted to see the opening of this rail station, which demonstrates the commitment of this Government to investment in public transport.

“As a rail commuter myself I understand the importance in providing frequent and reliable public transport services. 

“I have no doubt that the opening of this station, along with the future delivery of DART+ South West, will have a transformative impact for people in the area.

“The delivery of new stations such as this one provide concrete examples of how investment in sustainable transport infrastructure can help deliver safer, greener and better-connected communities.” 

Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said “we are delighted to open Kishoge Station, and to deliver to one of Ireland’s newest communities the type of public transport service which will ensure sustainability is at the heart of Kishoge and the Clonburris development. 

“Even with 96 daily services already available, we are also working on the next stage of service improvement through DART+ South West: as this community grows, our rail service will be ready to grow with it. 

“I thank the Iarnród Éireann team, the National Transport Authority, South Dublin County Council and our contractors for working together to deliver this opening for the community.” 

Mayor of South Dublin Baby Pereppadan said at the opening “South Dublin County Council are delighted to witness the opening of Kishoge Station, a new fast and frequent railway service.  This will further enhance the 90,000 home development of Clonburris in serving this brilliant community.” 

Local TD and Minister for Business, Employment, and Retail, Emer Higgins, speaking at the launch said, “I am thrilled that trains will finally be stopping at Kishoge Station.” 

“Since my time as a local Councillor and now as a TD and Minister, I have consistently advocated for the completion and opening of Kishoge Station with the NTA, Iarnród Éireann and the Minister for Transport.

“Its opening, which was delayed by the economic downturn, is now a clear indication of our recovered and strong economy under this Government and our commitment to ensuring that much needed infrastructure is delivered hand in hand with new housing developments.”