by Joe Kelly

Created on: August 23, 2008

Ireland is renowned for its green and pleasant countryside, and what better way to see more of it than by train? A lot of money has been invested by the state-owned Irish Rail in recent years to upgrade both rolling stock and infrastructure, so train travel in Ireland is more convenient and comfortable than ever. While the country does not have a large route network, there are two or three journeys that will give a flavour of all the scenic variety that Ireland has to offer.

Dublin is the major hub for train travel in the Republic, with routes going north to Belfast, south to Wexford and Waterford, southwest to Cork and Kerry, west to Galway and northwest to Sligo. Because the country is relatively small, none of these journeys take more than four hours (Dublin-Killarney).

As a taster, why not take a DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train from the city centre south to Greystones, a trip of about one hour? The route quickly leaves the city and follows the coastline of Dublin Bay, passing the Ferryport and marina at Dun Laoghaire, onto the seaside village of Dalkey, the Victorian resort town of Bray, before hugging the cliff for the last few miles into Greystones. The sweeping Killiney Bay has been likened to the Bay of Naples, but that's for you to decide! The journey affords the visitor an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views across Dublin Bay to the fishing village of Howth on its north side.

This route is also the first part of the coastal route to Wexford (and the International Ferryport at Rosslare). Past Greystones, the line hugs the coast through historic Wicklow before moving into Wexford - popularly known as the sunny South East! Long sandy beaches are what this county is known for and there are many small coastal towns from which to explore them.

Heading in the opposite direction, the main line north to Belfast runs along the coast for about half of its two hour journey time. After crossing the border at Dundalk, you are taken through the gently rolling hills of the Mountains of Mourne, famed in song of course. Changing trains at Belfast will allow you to explore the North Antrim coast - home of the World Heritage site, the Giant's Causeway - and spectacular in its ruggedness.

For something a little more gentle, the three hour trip west from Dublin to Galway will take you across the country. You will see the Bog of Allen, one of the largest peat bogs still left in Europe. The River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles, is crossed at Athlone,

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