Ireland Welcomes Woodbrook: Its First New Train Station in 15 Years Opens
A significant enhancement to public transport infrastructure has arrived, with Ireland’s newest train station, Woodbrook, officially welcoming passengers. This marks a notable development for rail services, situated between Shankill in Co Dublin and Bray in Co Wicklow.
A New Era for Commuters
The first DART services began calling at Woodbrook early Sunday morning. The station’s formal inauguration at 11:45 am was led by Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, alongside Jim Gildea, cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
First DART stops at our newest station, Woodbrook, NOW OPEN!
Up to 191 daily services, 40 minutes to city centre, at the heart of new developments which will deliver c. 2,300 new homes.
More info: https://t.co/YKJKS5iCB4 @TFIupdates @Dept_Transport pic.twitter.com/VIRxWO9rFv
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) August 10, 2025
The contemporary Woodbrook station is positioned approximately 250 metres north of the original Woodbrook halt, which operated from 1910 until 1960.
Station Features and Connectivity
On weekdays, passengers can expect DART services to run approximately every ten minutes in each direction. The journey to Dublin city centre is estimated to take around 40 minutes.
The station is equipped with two 174-metre platforms, complete with passenger shelters, seating, lighting, CCTV, customer information systems, bicycle parking, and ticketing facilities, according to Irish Rail.
Access to the southbound platform is facilitated by a newly constructed pedestrian bridge, offering both ramped and stepped entry points.
Community Celebration
To commemorate the official opening, a family fun day is planned, promising entertainment for attendees of all ages. Irish Rail advises that parking at Woodbrook will be limited, encouraging visitors to utilize the train service for their travel to the event.
The station is strategically located at the heart of new developments expected to provide approximately 2,300 new homes, highlighting its role in supporting community growth. In comparison, major cities like London have seen significant expansion in public transport capacity; in 2023, Transport for London reported a 15% increase in Tube journeys compared to the previous year, reflecting a growing reliance on public transit (Railway Technology, 2024).
