Cork region suffering socially and economically from lack of rail link, campaigners say
The lack of a rail service between Youghal and Cork is more than just an inconvenience, it is “a barrier to living a normal life” in the East Cork area that causes people to miss hospital and medical appointments and contributes to social isolation and educational underperformance, according to the group campaigning for the service’s restoration.
A deputation from the East Cork Rail Alliance (ECRA) outlined the case for restoring the historic train line at a meeting of the East Cork Municipal District this week, saying that a rail connection between Youghal and Midleton would alleviate the serious congestion on the N25 and boost population growth and economic activity in East Cork and West Waterford.
ECRA committee member Mary Hogan talked about the human impact and the “very real, everyday consequences” for people due to the absence of a rail connection. “We regularly hear from residents who have missed hospital and medical appointments in Cork due to unreliable bus services, traffic congestion on the N25, or the simple fact that services do not align with appointment times. For elderly people, people with disabilities, or those undergoing ongoing treatment, this creates stress, anxiety and in some cases deterioration in health outcomes.”
Ms Hogan said students are also severely affected, facing long, unpredictable journeys to secondary schools and colleges that impact educational performance and mental well-being and “in many cases determines whether a young person can remain living in Youghal at all.” She added that people without access to a car, particularly older residents, young adults and lower-income households, are increasingly cut off from employment, education, healthcare, and social life.
“A rail link is not just transport; it is independence, dignity and connection. The return of the Youghal–Midleton rail service is therefore not just a transport project — it is a social infrastructure project, a health issue, an education issue, and an economic necessity,” Ms Hogan said.
ECRA chairman Michael Beecher told councillors that the group’s 2026 goal is to get restoration of the train service included on all future development plans, including the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), which is expected to be reviewed and opened to public consultation this year.
“As part of this process, the optimal transport provision in the area, including the Youghal to Midleton rail service, will be considered again,” with ECRA seeking to mobilise community participation in the consultation process, he said.
The elected members of the East Cork Municipal District voiced their support for the campaign with the MD chairperson, Cllr Rory Cocking, saying “I think I speak for all of us when I say we're all very much in favour of it. Keep going, I think, is what to bring from this meeting and we will do our part as much as we can from our side as well.”
Cllr Patrick Mulcahy described restoring the rail connection as a “no-brainer.” “There's no doubt about it, the traffic has become a huge problem along the N25 and there's no point saying otherwise, everybody can recognize that, whether it's through Castlemartyr, Mogeely or going up to the Jack Lynch Tunnel,” he said.
Last month Irish Rail official AJ Cronin told the East Cork MD that restoring the line between Youghal and Midleton would cost around €200 million and there is currently no plan or proposal to do so but the company would be “happy” to restore it if that changes.
The last regular scheduled passenger train from Youghal to Cork city ran in 1963. The section of line from Midleton to Cork was reopened in 2009 and is now undergoing a major upgrade that will deliver new stations and more frequent services as part of the €1.8-bn Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.