An Sáirséal Steam & Diesel Railtour Dublin Connolly to Limerick & Return

"An Sáirséal" Steam & Diesel Train Special Dublin Connolly to Limerick & Return Saturday 28th February 2026.

Join us on board a very special day out as we launch our recently returned to traffic loco No. 171 "Slieve Guillion".

Our train will be steam hauled by steam loco No. 171 from Dublin Connolly to Thurles and then hauled by an 071 class diesel loco from Thurles to Limerick. Departing Dublin Connolly at 09:30, we will make our way across Dublin via the Phoenix Park tunnel and out on to the the Dublin to Cork mainline. We will steam across the Curragh in Kildare, pick up at Portarlington and continue South through counties Laois and Tipperary, then arrive into the Tipperary town of Thurles.

At Thurles you have choice to alight here and have just under 4 hours to have a longer break off the train and enjoy the cafés, shops, bars and restaurants which are less than 10 minutes walk from the station. Alternatively, you can remain on board, where an 071 class diesel locomotive will take over the train and bring us to the Treaty City - Limerick.

Our visit to Limerick will only be a short 55 minutes, to service the train before returning back to Thurles and then back up the mainline to Dublin.

The highlight of the day is the return journey by steam. The RPSI is Ireland's only mainline steam operator. The special will be operated by our magnificent 113 year old / 1913 built 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. 171 Slieve Guillion.

Check out all the details of 171 here - https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/rpsi-collection/1/no171-slieve-gullion

Our train has a shop on board selling freshly made sandwiches, tea, coffee and snacks. We also have a full bar on the train serving draught Guinness, beers, wine, prosecco and spirits to enjoy the journey to and from Limerick.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: ONLINE TICKETS

Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE once purchased.

If travelling as part of a group - you MUST make one booking to be seated together. Seating requests cannot be made after. All passengers will be allocated a specific seat for the journey.

You will receive your tickets by email as soon as your booking goes through. These are you tickets which can be printed off or saved to your device for inspection on the day.

Seating allocations will be emailed, no later than 3 days before departure. Please check your emails.

Outline times:

Dublin Connolly Depart: 09:30

Portarlington Depart: 10:50

Thurles Arrive.: 12:05

Limerick Arrive: 13:30

Limerick Depart: 14:25

Thurles Depart: 16:00

Portarlington Arrive: 17:15

Dublin Connolly Arrive: 18:30

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Host or Publisher Railway Preservation Society of Ireland