Gateway Ireland
National Airport & Transport Hub
Gateway Ireland
National Airport & Transport Hub
Seamlessly connected to Ireland and the world.
Seamlessly connected to Ireland and the world.
One Island, One Rail Network
One Island, One Rail Network
Island Rail envisions a fully integrated, rail corridor connecting Ireland’s three major airports Belfast, Dublin, and Cork. With a single interchange or direct line, passengers can move across the island efficiently, reducing car dependency, cutting emissions, and strengthening all-island connectivity.
Island Rail envisions a fully integrated, rail corridor connecting Ireland’s three major airports Belfast, Dublin, and Cork. With a single interchange or direct line, passengers can move across the island efficiently, reducing car dependency, cutting emissions, and strengthening all-island connectivity.
Island Rail: Ireland Connected
Island Rail: Ireland Connected
It is designed to meet the existing and growing demand for fast, reliable, integrated and sustainable mobility.
It is designed to meet the existing and growing demand for fast, reliable, integrated and sustainable mobility.
Ireland’s National Air Hub
Ireland’s National Air Hub
Dublin Airport is Ireland’s national gateway, with over 34 million passengers in 2024 and projected growth to 40 million by 2030, it’s now the 12th busiest airport in Europe.
Despite this scale, the airport currently relies on over 35 million annual bus seats for access while MetroLink remains over a decade away. This volume puts immense strain on Dublin’s limited public transport system.
Following the EU’s TEN-T agreement, all airports handling more than 12 million passengers per year must be connected to national rail a benchmark Ireland has yet to meet.
Dublin Airport is Ireland’s national gateway, with over 34 million passengers in 2024 and projected growth to 40 million by 2030, it’s now the 12th busiest airport in Europe.
Despite this scale, the airport currently relies on over 35 million annual bus seats for access while MetroLink remains over a decade away. This volume puts immense strain on Dublin’s limited public transport system.
Following the EU’s TEN-T agreement, all airports handling more than 12 million passengers per year must be connected to national rail a benchmark Ireland has yet to meet.
People Mover
People Mover
As the airport evolves into a next generation transport hub, efficient passenger movement across the campus becomes essential. Our vision includes the integration of a People Mover system, an automated high-frequency transport link that connects key points of the airport.
Ireland’s Airport Hub of the Future
Ireland’s Airport Hub of the Future
A seamless, sustainable, and fully integrated transport vision for Ireland’s busiest airport.
Seamless Terminal Integration
As the airport expands, so does the need for better integration between terminals and the transport hub. Covered walkways, escalators, and shuttle services ensure a smooth passenger experience connecting air travel with ground transport effortlessly.
As the airport expands, so does the need for better integration between terminals and the transport hub. Covered walkways, escalators, and shuttle services ensure a smooth passenger experience connecting air travel with ground transport effortlessly.
Intermodal Connectivity
Passengers should be able to switch between air, rail, metro, bus, taxi, and car with ease. This vision includes designated transfer points, coordinated scheduling, and unified signage to make multimodal travel intuitive and efficient.
Passengers should be able to switch between air, rail, metro, bus, taxi, and car with ease. This vision includes designated transfer points, coordinated scheduling, and unified signage to make multimodal travel intuitive and efficient.
A National Rail Gateway Beneath the Airport
A six platform rail station beneath the Airport Campus would link Metro, DART, and Island Rail services. Every major Irish town and city could be reached within 2.5 hours placing the entire island within reach of its national airport.
A six platform rail station beneath the Airport Campus would link Metro, DART, and Island Rail services. Every major Irish town and city could be reached within 2.5 hours placing the entire island within reach of its national airport.
Regional Bus Integration
Local and regional bus terminals adjacent to the hub would offer direct access to destinations across Ireland turning the airport into a central point for coordinated national mobility.
Local and regional bus terminals adjacent to the hub would offer direct access to destinations across Ireland turning the airport into a central point for coordinated national mobility.
Taxis and Rideshare Access
Dedicated areas for taxis and rideshares would be integrated into the terminal exits and across the hub with digital displays and apps providing real-time service updates and wait times.
Dedicated areas for taxis and rideshares would be integrated into the terminal exits and across the hub with digital displays and apps providing real-time service updates and wait times.
Smart Parking and EV Charging
The hub includes 396 parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging points supporting flexible, low-emission transport options for passengers who drive.
The hub includes 396 parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging points supporting flexible, low-emission transport options for passengers who drive.
Passenger Amenities & Comfort
From restrooms and ticketing counters to cafes and luggage storage, the hub offers a modern, welcoming environment that enhances the travel experience for everyone.
From restrooms and ticketing counters to cafes and luggage storage, the hub offers a modern, welcoming environment that enhances the travel experience for everyone.
Ready for the Future: VTOL & Autonomous Tech
Forward-looking infrastructure will support advanced transport modes such as vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft and autonomous buses with dedicated lanes and smart charging zones.
Forward-looking infrastructure will support advanced transport modes such as vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft and autonomous buses with dedicated lanes and smart charging zones.
Designed for Ease, Built for Scale
The layout prioritizes accessibility, space, and clarity. Wide corridors, intuitive wayfinding, and seamless modal transitions ensure that every journey is stress-free even for travelers with mobility needs.
The layout prioritizes accessibility, space, and clarity. Wide corridors, intuitive wayfinding, and seamless modal transitions ensure that every journey is stress-free even for travelers with mobility needs.
The Southern Link
The Southern Link
Metro Cork will connect Cork Airport to the city and the wider national rail network, making it an essential part of the Island Rail vision. As Ireland builds seamless connections between Belfast, Dublin, and Cork airports, Metro Cork ensures the south is fully integrated into the island’s transport future.