No trains will travel between Dublin's Connolly and Grand Canal Dock Stations until January 5th, Iarnród Éireann has announced 

There will also be a reduced service between Connolly and Pearse but passengers can instead use their tickets to travel on Dublin Bus services.

For the first time in 20-years, Iarnród Éireann will undertake a full track renewal of the country's busiest section of rail line. 

The works will see 4.2 kilometres of track - 2.1 kilometres on each line - fully replaced from Connolly Station through to Pearse Station.

Grand Canal Dock Station in Dublin. Photo: RollingNews.ie

Iarnród Éireann said the work would have a design life of 40-years. 

“Were the works to be deferred, or scheduled over a longer time frame - either weekend impacts or night works over a two-year period - temporary speed restrictions would be required causing service delays or reduced services, as well as significantly higher costs of works,” a spokesperson said. 

Iarnród Éireann also apologised for the inconvenience to the travelling public.

Main image: An almost empty Grand Canal Dock Station. Picture by: RollingNews.ie