IARNRÓD Éireann has said today (Saturday) that rail services from Limerick to Ennis are expected to be suspended from Monday (March 18) “until further notice”.
The announcement comes amid flooding in Ballycar, County Clare.
The rail transport body has said that a number of bus services will be put in place to replace affected train routes.
“Iarnród Éireann advises customers that flood waters have risen significantly at Ballycar on the Limerick to Ennis railway line in recent days. As a result, the company expects the line to close and for services to be suspended from Bank Holiday Monday 18th March until further notice,” a statement from Iarnród Éireann read.
A bus transfer will be in operation between Limerick and Ennis, in both directions, for all affected services, the company said.
The main Limerick to Ennis line will be replaced by a bus service for the duration of the suspension.
Passengers travelling between Limerick and Galway will also be able to avail of a bus transfer as far as Ennis before continuing to Galway by train from the County Clare town.
Iarnród Éireann has apologied for the disruption, explaining that “while this is the first time in four years that the line has closed due to flooding, the railway track at Ballycar Lough has flooded on a number of occasions in recent years”.
“The flooding occurs due to the cumulative effect of rainfall and the slow drainage associated within Ballycar’s geological and hydrogeological environment. As a result, the line is expected to be closed for many weeks.
“Iarnród Éireann will monitor flood levels which are continuing to rise, and advise customers on likely service restoration dates when flood levels begin to recede.”
