Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) to lead the country’s rail programme, known as CONNECT.

The ambitious national programme is set to transform Ireland’s intercity rail network and accelerate the country’s transition to net zero.

Funded by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility and Ireland’s National Development Plan 2021–2030, CONNECT marks a major step in delivering Iarnród Éireann’s RAIL2050 strategy. It aims to modernise infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions and deliver faster, more frequent and more sustainable services for passengers across Ireland. 

The project will focus on the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Limerick corridors, which are vital to Ireland’s social and economic connectivity.

Mott MacDonald will develop a comprehensive implementation strategy and decarbonisation roadmap, supported by detailed technical studies and stakeholder engagement.

The work will help define the infrastructure, service and policy interventions needed to deliver a high-capacity, low-carbon rail network, offering more frequent services with reduced journey times for future generations.

With work having now started, early findings from the CONNECT project suggest that journey time reductions of up to 30 minutes on key intercity routes could be achieved through targeted infrastructure upgrades and higher line speeds of up to 200km/h. These improvements, combined with the planned introduction of a new electric fleet, have the potential to significantly shorten travel times between Dublin and Cork and Dublin and Limerick – subject to future investment.

The CONNECT rail project is expected to more than double annual intercity passenger numbers by 2050, while contributing to regional balance, sustainable growth and Ireland’s journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. It will also support Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and the EU Green Deal by enabling a significant modal shift from car to rail.

Tony O’Toole, manging director for rail, UK and Europe at Mott MacDonald, said: “Mott MacDonald has been shaping rail networks for over a century, from pioneering the Dublin LUAS in Ireland to delivering major programmes like the Elizabeth Line in the United Kingdom and Sydney Metro in Australia.

“Our deep understanding of rail systems, combined with our long standing presence in Ireland, places us perfectly to lead the CONNECT Project. This is a pivotal moment for Irish transport and we are proud to help deliver a faster, greener and more connected future.”

Mary Considine, chief executive of Iarnród Éireann, added: “The CONNECT rail project is a significant investment by the European Union, together with the Irish Government, in developing rail as the backbone of a sustainable transport system for Ireland’s citizens.

“CONNECT will prepare plans to support frequent services with faster travel times, whilst supporting decarbonisation, demonstrating our commitment and that of the Irish Government to meeting our climate action targets”.