The long-awaited Metrolink project has been granted planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála, marking a major milestone for what will be the largest public transport project in Irish history.
The 18.8-kilometre underground rail line will connect Swords to Charlemont with 16 stations, linking Dublin Airport directly to the city centre. The route will serve residential areas including Ballymun and Glasnevin, with an end-to-end journey time of just 25 minutes. The system is projected to carry 53 million passengers annually.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien described the decision as “hugely significant” and “transformative for the people of North Dublin”. The line will integrate with Irish Rail, Luas and bus services, creating crucial connections across the capital and beyond.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland can now seek construction tenders once Cabinet approval is secured. The government plans to establish a dedicated state delivery body to oversee the project as it moves from planning to construction.
An underground rail line for Dublin was first proposed in 2005 but was shelved during the recession. Cabinet approved a refreshed plan in July 2022, with the planning application submitted that September. An Coimisiún Pleanála received 318 submissions and held oral hearings last year.
Construction is not expected to begin until at least 2028. The project’s estimated cost has grown significantly since 2021, when it was priced between €7 billion and €12 billion. In July, the government committed €2 billion under the National Development Plan, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirming funding is now in place.