Your first mistake was thinking anything associated with Irish rail would be first class or premier.

The Barry family have lots of history in Ireland, and one of their things was (is) tea. Ireland and the UK had a falling out over tea, well over 150 years ago, even when we were part of the empire. Ireland went its own way, so we had our own tea routes, etc, which is why many people say Irish tea is better. Less watery anyway. The Barrys became big importers. It's actually associated with Cork, whule Lyons Tea (another family) is conected with Dublin, but, Barry's is generally known to be the better of the two.

@snarehit2230

12 күн бұрын

Pfffft really Barry's..... Lyons is the only way

You are not alone. When on my travels I am a magnet for crazy people wanting help or a 'comfort' chat... I have never known whether to feel happy that I am so approachable and friendly, or angry because I obviously appear it to others! 😄 I must work on my don't come near scowl face!

@signalcabin

Ай бұрын

Now that you mention it Legion, I'm a magnet too! Happens to me on the bus too. I'm too soft looking apparently.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Haha, yes I must work on mine too!!

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

If I'm not in the humour for a chat with a stranger on public transport, my first line is: "Oh hi, my name is Eric. I bet you didn't guess I have a Multiple Personality Disorder when you started our chat, did you?" Unless they are a Clinical Psychologist or a Consultant Psychiatrist, the conversation usually ends quite abruptly there.

@DavidGloyne-vf9sv

Ай бұрын

@@signalcabin Yeah me too, seem to attract all the lost souls.

I'd say the reason the platforms in ballybrophy were numbered like that is that once upon a time there were just two platforms facing each other, then three and four were added later and they just kept the original numbers.

You were stopped in Portarlington because you were blocked by the commuter service from Houston to Portlaoise which ye caught up with ahead of you in the section. I'm a Driver with Irish Rail and this is common

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

I've been held up on the Waterford line northbound approach into Kildare before the junction with the Cork line several times; seems the Cork trains get priority over the Waterford trains, or am I imagining things (that's been known before)?

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Ah great, thanks very much for the info. Makes sense and very much appreciated, cheers.

@patrickmccutcheon9361

23 күн бұрын

Commuter trains get priority over longer distance trains?

@ericdunn555

18 күн бұрын

@@patrickmccutcheon9361 No, not really. It is double track (1 Up, 1 Down) after Kildare (and maybe before), so "Express" services (I use the term "Express" lightly) will have to follow in close order if they catch onto the coat-tails of a commuter/regional service until a passing opportunity is available.

@RYNT1157

16 күн бұрын

From Portarlington in the morning especially you have commuter services from Portlaoise ahead of Cork services to Heuston plus services off the Galway and Westport line at Portarlington and then Waterford line service's before Kildare. It's only at the four track section from Hazelhatch that you can overtake some of these.

Ireland is a small country the one thing we still need to invest money in is public transport it still hasn’t caught up with our booming economy resource after our 2008 housing crash it’s like everything is a bottle neck these days , Dublin has no underground system which is ridiculous to think a Japanese company offered to build one in the early 90s for free and run it for 20 years and then return it to the state but the government of the day turned it down , Cork has no light rail system which again is ridiculous, the British built trams in both cork and Dublin but in the 1950s they were scrapped for busses and the train network was gutted as well , different times I suppose but we are stuck in first gear transport wise IMO ! Thanks for your honest review which is always necessary !

I have adopted the strategy of playing the faking scene from “When Harry Met Sally” at a loud volume when someone decides to stand over me to have a phone conversation. It gets the person to move on quickly.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Lol, not sure I could emulate that one!!

@clydebear6914

16 күн бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip Just do what I do and slap on headphones and play some nice soothing tunes. It blocks out all the horribleness. 😉

Took this train journey last summer, though not in first class, so this random recommendation brought back some good memories of that holiday. Disagree on the scenery opinion, I quite liked that.

Hi, the Phoenix PaRk line isn't just used for match days any more. Its been in use since at least 2018 now as a commuter line. You can switch at Sallins and catch a train that goes to Drumcondra. I used it on a number of occasions in morning and evening commutes.

As I have a staff pass, I travel First Class on this service for free. Both times I did on this service it was the Loco service. Once the old cabin and then the new cabin. The new cabin looks a lot better but the old First Class seats were far more comfortable. I have yet to board a Cork train with the 22000, but I did see it on the platform the last time I went to Galway.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I didn't realise there was an old and new cabin on the loco-hauled service. It does give me an excuse to go back and try this. I'll definitely be down that way again soon so yep, might well give it a go!

I really enjoyed that video. I recall as a child a long train journey was a real adventure. Three course meals were served on the intercity trains!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thanks. Times have changed somewhat but you can still get that. Try Cardiff to Holyhead/Manchester with TfW - brilliant first class service 👍

Oh yes I attract them wherever I go pubs,bars, trains, and certainly busses occasionally on the plane too! Great vid as always.

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

Haha, yes that sounds exactly like me! Cheers Julian 👍

Thank you again for another great video mark I know how you feel mark when it comes to an empty cafe or transport someone has to sit right by you when there's loads of space

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate. I know, it's like why do they do it! lol

My most recent journey with Irish Rail was Killarney-Mallow-Limerick Jct.-Limerick-Galway. The connections were all short and I didn't hold out much hope of completing the whole thing. However, Irish Rail seem really good in this respect - they seem to hold connecting trains on a regular basis. We were 30 minutes late into Mallow and the Dublin express waited nearly 15 minutes for us! The same again at Limerick Jct. with the next train being held 10 minutes. This does cause delays for through passengers (I didn't see a single train actually on time while I was there) but it enables these connecting journeys when there isn't really a frequent service. A 4hr wait at Limerick Jct, where there is basically nothing, was NOT something I would like to do!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

That's the sensible approach which unfortunately does not happen in the UK that often although on branch lines or single track lines they will wait. Aberystwyth/Pwheli to Shrewsbury is a good example of that.

@nigelbarlow3506

27 күн бұрын

Hi they always hold the limerick junction to limerick (sometimes onward to Ennis) as its raison d’etre is it’s a connecting service. I think the timetables are cutely put together so that one connecting service picks up both the ex Dublin and ex cork trains.

Really enjoyed this video. You’ve a natural ability to do videos. Very interesting

@LetsMakeaTrip

10 күн бұрын

Thanks for the kind words mate, much appreciated 😊👍

Hi Mark, in answer to your question regarding Barry’s Tea. The tea was founded in 1901 by James J Barry and is from Cork. It’s really good tea, but I need someone from Cork to bring it over to me!! Again, an informative and interesting video as always. Thank you.😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Ah thanks Diana! For some reason I thought it was a ‘first name thing’! It s a decent cuppa tbf, I’ll hunt it down next time I’m in Cork 😊👍

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

I'm a Lyon's Tea man myself, tbh; remember the cartoon TV advert from 60s/70s on RTÉ - "Lyon's the quality tea"; wouldn't get away with that advert nowadays 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

@martymartin2894

Ай бұрын

I remember that actually the black golly men dancing with the umbrella's am I correct, oh memories of happier times.

@coolkid05

Ай бұрын

I researched this a while ago, as my surname is Barry and my family hail from West Cork.

@Dreyno

23 күн бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTripBarry is a very common Irish surname. Especially in Cork and the neighbouring counties but it occurs in clusters in other parts as well such as Leitrim, Sligo, Down etc. It is an Anglicisation of several names of both Irish and Norman origin such as Ó Báire, Ó Beargha, DuBarry, de Barra etc.

Thanks for the shout out! That was certainly "not quite 1st" given i reckon the seats are identical to standard. In fact on other routes I'm sure it is just viewed as standard class as those routes don't have 1 st class tickets to sell. 🤷‍♂️ The nice big table was a bonus though for an airline style seat.

@LetsMakeaTrip

27 күн бұрын

Yes I was happy with the table. I do like those in the airline-style seats tbf and the added bonus I was in one of only a few seats where, for once, no one sat next to me.

I sat for 2.5 hours from Paris to St Pancras with a couple arguing in one of those meeting room thingies behind me on Eurostar. So much for picking a seat at the back of the carriage 😂 The “thank you” toilet is up there with Scott’s (planes trains everything) toilet with the sign on the wrong side of the door in Marbella last week 😂

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Haha, cheers mate. Yes that would be my luck sitting next to people like that. Or if I was alone in an empty carriage they would come and sit by me! I reckon it’s people’s spacial awareness (or lack of). I don’t subscribe to Planes Trains etc so haven’t seen that vid tbh 😊

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

​@@LetsMakeaTrip Herself reckons I could start a riot in an empty carriage; she may have a point, tbh 😁😁

Barrys Tea is a Cork company that were founded in 1901 by James Barry. It is one of the 2 major tea brands in Ireland, the other being Lyons, founded in Dublin in 1902 by J. Lyons & Co.

@gdparry2727

Ай бұрын

How does it compare to the premium Yorkshire Tea? Been some time since I've done Ireland and then i was on Bewleys coffee.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I reckon it tasted a bit like Yorkshire Tea personally?

@tadhgcronin175

26 күн бұрын

Ah go on, go on, go on.

We did the Cork to Limerick in 2018 to watch the rugby at Thormond Park where Munster play, it was a long journey, luckily we knew we had a change Limerick Junction on the return in the evening otherwise we would have ended up in Dublin.

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

Limerick Junction is somewhere I will definitely be again as I do want to explore a few more of the line over there 👍

You have a natural magnetism.

The last time I was on this train it had a wonderful smoking carriage where you could go to avoid work colleagues. I didn't smoke but the 3 hours of passive smoking was certainly worth it.

@LetsMakeaTrip

23 күн бұрын

I know what you mean! Definitely need a break from ‘work-speak’ from time to time!

You can tell which services are loco hauled by checking the first class price. The Mk4 services are currently 10 euro more expensive than the 22000. That freight train having a rest was actually hauling Tara Mine wagons. The mines are currently closed, but hoping to reopen.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Ah ok, cheers Stuart, I'll look out for that next time.

Great video Mark

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Paul and thanks for the comment.

I did this trip the other way round (Cork to Dublin) and enjoyed it ,the train was fine though crowded when I traveled and gave me the chance to see the scenery on the way . I would certainly recommend it.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yep, like I said, it’s quicker than the bus and the train was pretty smooth overall. If I did it again, I’d try and aim for one of the loco-hauled services. Quite keen on doing some of the lines further west tbh👍

@walken1996

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip Hi Mark,head to Ballina in the west,always enjoy your videos long time fan,always enjoy my visits to shrewsbury lovely town and of course my mrs home village of wellington,keep up the good work mate

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

​@@walken1996 but ... But ... BUT: don't you have to get off at the dreaded Manulla Junction to arrive in Ballina

@walken1996

Ай бұрын

​@@ericdunn555 Yes but it not to bad as the other train is waiting for you at manulla junction

The "level crossing" as you called it at Thurkes waa used during the times when Thurles has a railway line to Thurles Sugar Factory delivering Sugar beet . The line discontinued in early 1990s after the factory closed in 1989. Ths factory was opened in 1934 its closing and evebtually the closing of Erin Foods Factory were the beginning of the decline in jobs in Thurles . The Railway was the best thing for Thurkes access to Clonmel, Limerick, Mallow, Cork, Tralee , also Templemore,Ballybrophy Nenagh, Portlaoise, Portarlington, Newbridge, The Curragh, Kildare & Dublin , If a GAA match was on in Thurles and a team from the North of Ireland was playing Platform 10 at Heuston Station brought trains to either Croke Park Stadium Dublin or Semple Stadium Thurles from Belfast . Unfortunately that line is closed . Which is ridiculous. Anyway . I loved the CIÉ Mark 3 Train . More relaxing more room. I once got to travel on the Presidential coach it was amazing like something out of the Orient express irish style. Sorry i tend to ramble down memory lane. Like your channel. Sláinte

Portarlington would have been a check stop. You may have had to wait for a path. Last time i did that trip it was ex BR or new to IE Mk2 air con stock hauled by a 201. Glad to see they're still in traffic. The tunnel was and is for engineering and stock movements. The idea of passenger trains through it sounds inviting.

@jgcondron

Ай бұрын

The Phoenix Park Tunnel is used for passenger commuter trains during the week. It was re-opened for passenger services in 2016. It's not operated during the weekends - the reason given is a lack of driver resources. You can't get a train from Heuston through the tunnel. A new station called Heuston West will be opened as part of Dart Plus Southwest. This will be for services from Heuston to Connolly etc. Platform 10 is where the new station will be.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers guys, many thanks for the info on this 😊👍

The catering Kitchens went out of use in 2020 when Covid 19 restrictions were applied. The company that ran the catering went bust as a result. A new trolley service commenced business about 12 months ago on selected Dublin Cork Trains and since then it has spread to all services on this route. AIFAIK There is still no catering services on any other Irish rail inter city services. There is full catering on the Dublin Belfast Enterprise services.

@lincolnarmasols283

Ай бұрын

They didn't go bust just finished with the contract.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I'd need to go back to the Enterprise service because when I did it after covid, nothing had changed although (like this train) the facility was there. I hope it has improved tbh.

@ducksgoquackirl92

26 күн бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip with how often the enterprise is broken , you might struggle. often replaced with NI Railways Class 3000 3-car set

@thomasbroderick767

21 күн бұрын

irish rail also lost freight services in 2000 by an unoffical strike which lasted 12 weeks,when there was a return to work in a short time some of these guys who stood outside the gate got promoted by the company to managerial positions which caused a toxic atmosphere among the work force,elements which exist to this day,because stoppage was unoffical the ones who worked some became pariahs,

First class exists in Irish Rail?? In my 27 years in this country i did not think that existed

Hi Mark, You're an inspiration. Just traveled VY in Norway. Full cafe, kids soft play, bike carriage, and compartment carriages for 6 people. Doing a long weekend CPH-BGO. DFDS "mini cruise" Norway's cross country line, Flåm scenic, Zipline and bike from Mydral, ferry through Fjord to Bergen.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Wow that sounds amazing Ian! I've yet to travel VY but I know a lot of my creator friends over here on KZread have done and they think it's brilliant. Very jealous mate, I will get there one day!

The 5 and 6 o clock train from Heuston to Cork on Fridays is 3rd World standard. Glad your experience was more enjoyable

Excellent, honest review as always. I took this journey a few years ago, as Covid restrictions were easing. (No catering) I travelled on the 22000 and the Mark 4s. Even with the tinted glass, the loco hauled Mark 4s were my preferred choice.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Tim. Irish Rail seem to still be hanging on to the covid excuse though I think catering contracts have been an issue (reading other peoples comments). I'm not that optimistic the kitchen's will ever be used again tbh.

@Timstravels01

Ай бұрын

@LetsMakeaTrip Indeed. As I understand it, catering or the lack of it has been a longstanding issue with Irish Rail. It felt the same with Scotrail, and for me, it's still not good.

I have often had the pleasure of using railways in Ireland ranging from a Leyland National diesel railcar between Coleraine and Portrush and some ancient steam-days rolling stock sandwiched inbetween DMU's radiating out of Belfast in the 1970's to experiencing "The Enterprise Express" at that period and in 2015. I rather like the main line from Dublin down to Thurles which is as far as I have gone in that direction apart from a short trip at Ennis. I rank Heuston station LUAS tram stops in Dublin as one of the scariest places to wait for public transport at night judging from an experience back in 2015! As for having someone standing next to your seat and having a rant over their phone I recall a journey from Haymarket, Edinburgh to Carlisle a few years back where I was travelling in an empty standard class carriage apart from a man and a woman who were having a frenzied row over the occupancy of a reserved seat. The man had reserved it but the woman took occupancy of it. The woman's reasoning was that there were plenty of unreserved seats so what was the guy's problem. The man explained that he had specifically reserved THAT seat and wanted it. She refused to budge and the exchange lasted for ages, degenerating into mutual personal insults and making the travelling atmosphere unpleasant. Another one of your interesting broadcasts, thank you.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Bob and thanks for sharing that story Whig I can definitely relate to! That’s the trouble it’s public transport sometimes isn’t it, the public !

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

​@@LetsMakeaTrip Definitely; public transport would be infinitely more pleasant if only the public transport authorities would stop the public from using public transport services, obvs 😁😁😁

@bobk4404

Ай бұрын

@@ericdunn555 But I want an exception for me, and only me LOL!!

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

@@bobk4404 🤣🤣🤣 👍

Great video Mark. The Cork to Dublin train was a trip I did a lot in my childhood as I used to live in Cork (a city I still love) albeit I always did on the Loco-Hauled Mark 4. Iarnrod Éireann's catering services was halted during the pandemic but never really resumed. In any case I like also the Class 22000 DMUs and I used them on recent journeys in the west of Ireland on both Intercity and commuter trains. Anyway, it seems definitely not worth the extra money for First Class.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate, didn’t realise you lived in Cork. Really like it there. Next time I think I’ll fly in and try a few of the other lines. I’ve done the Cobh one and that’s a lovely little jaunt 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate, didn’t realise you lived in Cork. Really like it there. Next time I think I’ll fly in and try a few of the other lines. I’ve done the Cobh one and that’s a lovely little jaunt 👍

@enricomonti156

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip I did live a few years in Cork before moving to Malta in 2015.

Thanks Mark for an interesting Journey and I do know what you mean re Mr Angry on the Phone lol

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate - you've gotta laugh haven't you!

The trip from Connelly Station to Newbridge is so pretty. You pass the canals. Make sure you sit on the right hand side if you ever plan to take that journey.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Duly noted, thanks for the info 😊👍

Great video as always!! Cork is a great city, I prefer it over Dublin. Hope all is well, take care

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes Peter, I prefer it over Dublin too and there's a lovely train ride down to Cobh - a very interesting place indeed. Galway is another favourite of mine.

@peterdnreynolds777

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip My parents live near Lismore in county Waterford so have travelled a lot within Wexford, Waterford and the east part of county Cork. I have yet to travel the West part of the county of Cork as originally my great great grandfather came from Clonakilty. When I was a child, I went on a road trip with my parents and we visited Limerick and Kilkenny and Dublin. I remember visiting the caves at Mitchelstown too. Normally I fly over to Cork from Heathrow but the next trip I intend to experience the rail and sail and travel through either Pembroke or Fishguard to Rosslare. Hope all is well, take care.

I believe the footbridge in Mallow is a remnant of the old line that ran from Mallow to Waterford via Fermoy

I've been on the Phoenix line a few times but only ever on a special train for GAA match days coming up from Cork Kent to Connolly it goes into a tunnel under the Phoenix Park pretty cold

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

One of these quirks of the rail system that's worth ticking off. I did that with the Kennington Loop on the London Underground a few years ago. Not sure you can still do it now tbh.

The First Great Train Robbery with Sean Connery was made in Ireland in 1978 and they shot a lot in Heuston Station.

@pcset12

23 күн бұрын

I thought it was shot in Kent station Cork?

@thedublinkitchen9680

23 күн бұрын

@@pcset12 My mistake it was Kent station and Trinity College at the end. Sean Connerys wife had a huge argument with the director because the train was supposed to go no more than 20 mph when Sean was on top of the train from carriage to carriage. She was in the helicopter following and the pilot said we are doing 50.

I think that Dublin Docklands is the only true terminus,in that there's no through line,in centralish Dublin.All the others might act as terminals for many trains but have some through lines .

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Interesting, cheers Kevan 😊👍

Greetings from The States. I'm so envious as I've never been thanked by a toilet before. Hopefully, one day...(sigh)

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Haha, yep I don’t remember being thanked by the toilet on Amtrak. There again, i wasn’t obliged to leave a tip in Irish Rail!

@seanbonella

29 күн бұрын

you have enough to deal with biden...stay put hahahaha

The mkiv sets run on the odd hours and has a connection for tralee line from mallow, I think the 0600 might be a mkiv too but not sure if there is a tralee connection on that one as its a new service

Good journey Mark, strange you only get 1 free drink in 1st class - and how random was it that the woman stood behind you to hold an irate phone call !! :)

@LetsMakeaTrip

27 күн бұрын

It as a bit random yes! Seems to happen to me quite a lot though. Just an average trip all round really for all the reasons you could see in the vid. Cheers Andy

Thank you sir I enjoyed your trip, better than driving

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers David, I agree it is better than driving.

Enjoy all of your journeys 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💕💕💕💕🙏🙏🚄🚄🚄🚄🚄🚄🚄

Nice review this, first class should have had reclining for sure

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers mate and I agree. Unfortunately the seats are basically standard class offerings on this train.

It’s Ireland it’s just much more laid back. Leaving 2 minutes late is on time haha. First class is a waste of money on these trains. Someone probably asked the train driver to stop in Portlaoise 😂

Hope you enjoyed your stay in Cork.

I believe platform 10 is not very accessible to passengers currently and is not used. There is mention of health & safety constraints with more ground works development required. The tunnel under the park has been upgraded in recent years for passenger services linking the southern and northern lines with commuter trains. It had been used for decades to facilitate movements for engineering purposes only.

@jgcondron

Ай бұрын

Platform 10 is where the new Heuston West station is being built as part of the Dart Plus expansion. It will run on new separate double-tracking between Sallins and Heuston West powered via DC 1.5kVA to fit the existing DART network. When the Cork line gets electrified within the next 15 to 20 years it will be on separate 25kVA AC lines.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the info guys 👍

Definitely middle class, Mark. Thanks for the tour 🙂 No Guinness on an Irish train? Paul in Oz.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Haha, yep well the Guinness would be a terrible idea on a train I reckon. Needs to be done properly, in a proper pub but of course when you're in Cork, it must be Beamish (although even that's something to do with Heineken these days sadly!).

I book 1st class but sometimes move to standard cos of the drug dealing/taking in 1st class ( solicitors..legal types). Usually Cork train too.

Barry is a surname of the founding father. An Irish Government Minister was owner of the company about 40 years ago.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers William, thanks very much for the info😊👍

@williampatrickfagan7590

18 күн бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip Founded around 1900.

Thanks Mark for an interesting video. I am open to correction on this point, but I think that on Iarnrod Eirearn the Premier fare is always ten euros more than the Standard fare, irrespective of the distance you travel.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

You could well be right on this - it certainly looked the case when I was checking fares 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

You could well be right on this - it certainly looked the case when I was checking fares 👍

Despite the fact I help run an Irish service from the U.K. and speak to people daily on the phone I have never actually been there, just to Northern Ireland a few times. The central Irish scenery is not the best so next time take the train to Derry or Tralee. I remember watching Michael Palin’s Great Railway Journeys Derry to Kerry back,in 1996 and in some respects the service seemed better back then on the main Cork Line. The prices through look great, especially the walk up fares, compared to the U.K.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Think I will try that Tralee line. I’ve been there before, but I hitched a ride which used to be easy back in the day but yep, the scenery is fantastic in the west!

If you make it to your destination without being beaten or stabbed in Ireland, I'd consider it first class...

Where did u stay in cork u stopped at rails good video I had loco haul couldn't find number lol

There seem to be an awful lot of second-rate first-class experiences in the UK and Ireland these days. Great watch, cheers!

@shutup2751

Ай бұрын

it is called globalism

@horsehollerer

Ай бұрын

@@shutup2751 That hasn't been my experience from visiting 12-15 countries in the past three or four years.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

It’s a bit hit and miss. Transport for Wales first class between Cardiff & Holyhead/Manchester is the best imho.

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

​@@shutup2751 Nah, it's the EU's fault, innit?

@horsehollerer

Ай бұрын

​@@LetsMakeaTrip That's fair.

The “thank you” on the toilets is quite a fun touch, however I feel this might be confusing for some passengers, it could be hard to realise it’s thanking you for locking the door, and not just randomly saying thank you. This seems to not be a problem on the Mark IVs, where you are instructed to lock the door upon closing it, and then the same voice thanks you after you lock it.

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

Nobody has ever thanked me for locking the toilet door after I've entered the "smallest room on the train" 🤫🤫

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I quite liked it. There seems to be a craze these days to make train toilets a little bit quirky!

I've been taking Irish Rail since I was 4 and it's as poor now as it was then. I've taken trains in Britain, The US, France, Spain and most recently Germany where my German fiancée had told me the train service was considered poor. I'd take it over Irish Rail any day. I'm a proud Irish man and hate to knock my own but Irish Rail is a joke. It does crack me up everytime the bathroom thanks me for locking the door 😂😂

As far as I know all trains in Ireland were 2nd class only till not so long very ago, except the push-pull trains (on the fast Dublin - Cork Expresses only), and maybe the trains to Belfast. But when the line to Cork was upgraded in recent years and got a much better service, almost every hour these days, CIE suddenly needed more trains for Ireland's busiest railway line and thus more 1st class, which normally is only provided between Dublin and Cork (as far as I know). Therefore a limited amount of 22000 units were just getting a part of one 2nd class coach renumbered to 1st class without much upgrading (only the table lights as far as I could see in December). So in reality these units have a 1st class coach with 2nd class interior. The displays in the train are showing the distance to the next stop. But what did you find of the ride quality? On some sections on this line trains are running with up to 160 Km ( = 100 Miles) per hour now. I had the feeling these units are not too comfortable at that speed, to put it nicely. That, I think, makes sense because when these units entered service trains were running not very fast anywhere in Ireland.

@jgcondron

Ай бұрын

The 22000 has a much better ride quality than the Mark 4 carriages from CAF and doesn't suffer from periodic sticky brakes to jerk passengers. The max train speed is 161km/h as it is actually 100mph rather than kilometers that are used on the rail lines (but the speed limiter is higher again) . The Premier railcars were bought from Hyundai Rotem as is from the factory. There is no way that Irish Rail will convert these to proper first class 2:1 seating given the crowding and huge demand for InterCity services. If you want proper first class seating the Mark 4 is the way to go - these are also due to be refurbished shortly. A tender went out for new tables, lights and USB charging a while ago. Every InterCity line in the country wants more services and they are slowing maxing out the track infrastructure on all lines as they add extra services every year. Galway and Belfast are the latest to be given additional services in this coming Summer/Autumn - which is unusual in itself, as normally this is only in December when every European country (Ireland included) updates to the new timetable - but we will be having two signficant timetable updates this year. DART Plus will free up more 22000 trains for other lines in the next two to three years. Rosslare would have certainly doubled its frequency with indirect services to Connolly within the next year or two, if not for the media pushback from the usual shower of idiots who don't have a clue, that may have put this in jeopardy. If that doesn't happen they can hold onto their 4 trains a day and the other InterCity lines will hoover up the additional drivers. The real bottleneck is track infrastructure. There should be four lines all the way from Heuston to Portarlingon. 2 lines from Limerick to Colbert, 2 lines from Portarlington to Athlone, 2 lines from Athenry to Galway and finally 2 lines from Kildare to Kilkenny. Connolly to Malahide needs to be four tracked. Needless to say all of this requires huge investment and human resources. Right now Galway Ceannt and Waterford Plunkett stations are all being rebuilt and soon enough Limerick Colbert will follow. Cork is getting a plethora of new sub-urban stations, double-tracking and re-signalling to allow up to 12 trains per hour coming out of Cork Kent. Plus Kent's new through platform should be built. A mini-version of this is happening with Limerick. Then you have Dart Plus West/Southwest and Coastal North all taking up significant investment and planning capacity. Heuston will be getting a new station, Heuston West (the platform 10 referenced here will be part of this) as park of Dart Plus Southwest and it will mean new separate double-tracking from the new Heuston West to Hazelhatch. On top of this you have the line speed being increased to 200km/h on the Cork and Belfast lines. Then of course there is Metrolink that will siphon billions too - but needs to be done. Needless to say things are greatly improving but there is a massive demand being placed not just on finances but on human resources too. And I've mentioned nothing about the additional rail freight services, new station facilities and new lines that are being added for these. As a side-note,1.6m track gauge is a real pain in the arse. There's no automated rail grinding machines for this track gauge. Therefore, the only automated track maintenance is the slow milling machines which go at a very leisurely walking pace. Rail grinders, in comparison, can do 80km/h plus. Not enough alternative tracks and the track gauge is why Irish Rail is not in a position to run later trains as they won't have enough time for maintenance. However, the cost of changing gauge and the absolute nightmare that would be, means we are stuck with 1.6m for the long foreseeable future. We do have a highly reputable Austrian-Swiss company looking after the track infrastructure - but no one can work miracles.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Many thanks for the detailed info on this his and it certainly makes sense in terms of the rather ‘limited’ upgrade on these 22000’s. On balance, I’d probably take the Mk IV service or jut the standard clas seating in these is absolutely fine. Like I said in the video, it’s quicker than the bus! Cheers 😊

@lincolnarmasols283

Ай бұрын

First class was always available on trains in ireland

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

​@@jgcondron Thank you ever so much for that comprehensive infornation; I turned 66 last month, just awaiting the arrival of my bus/train free travel pass, so that info is a Godsend for planning purposes - I'm concerned that I may end up like that young German lad I read about in The Guardian the other day who just lives on trains; no permanent abode, it's cheaper to buy a ~€10,000 First Class Deutsche Bähn annual rail pass than rent a flat anywhere in Germany - pops into a local Hallenbad near a station to undertake daily ablutions. Digital nomad, can work anywhere with a power source.

@shutup2751

Ай бұрын

yeah i never remember the old orange diesel trains on dublin - galway / dublin - rosslare and dublin - sligo ever having first class

Great to see you making an a trip on my daily commuter train! The Dublin to Belfast 1st class route is a bit nicer! Not any real difference on the Cork route between standard and 1st class. Hope you enjoyed your time in Ireland!

@elwisuntemp7199

Ай бұрын

The seats on the Mark IVs are much more similar to the Enterprise as opposed to the class 22000s, where the only difference is a lamp beside your table and a sticker saying “Premier”. I do find the first class service on the Enterprise much nicer though, with hot food and towels, whereas on the Cork train you just get a trolley that sometimes comes around.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I ALWAYS enjoy my time in Ireland - absolutely love it and I've been there many times. I'm heading back to Dublin in a week's time actually. Not staying long and then at some point in the near future, I'd like to try the west coast lines and maybe a couple of buses. Cheers.

@COMeachair

29 күн бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip great! Unfortunately the transport links from Dublin Airport to city are far behind many other capital cities in Europe! There is a bus which runs 24 hours a day from the airport called Dublin Coach ( a large green bus which leaves from the far bus stops at half past every hour from over near the church outside terminal one). This is the bus I usually get from Laois to the airport taking two hours bus it stops in every town along the way up through Laois and Kildare and then the Red Cow Luas stop just outside the city! Be interesting to see what you make of that bus journey if you had a chance to review it sometime! There are also some themed bus tours of Dublin (paddy wagon) which could take you to the sights like the cliffs of Moher in Clare and a few ghost bus tours in Dublin City I think but I’m not sure if that’s your thing going on a tour one. Enjoy your trip! Looking forward to more Irish content ☘️

Barry's tea is the Irish for Tea. Cork's most famous drink. Dublin has Guinness but Cork has Barry's. Just ask Roy Keane.

@LetsMakeaTrip

27 күн бұрын

Oh I didn’t realise before this vid. I just thought Cork was Beamish and that was about it. Cheers Joe 😊👍

Yes don’t forget where you left the baby ! Not unlike the warning on the box of the steam iron I recently purchased - “Do not attempt to iron clothing while wearing”!

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

... while wearing what, if you don't mind me asking?

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Lol, yep I've seen that one myself!

a lot of vibration in center carriages when these i c r train sets reach line side speed,could be a wheel profiling issue , very often due to over crowding passengers sit on the floor near the toilets, there can be leakage from the toilets under the floor covering in this area which would create a serious health issue,fold tables bad design ,not fit to place food on for sure

My Grandfather on my father's side was born in Cork..... And actually a bit of useless information is that on my Father's Mother's side my Great, Great, Great Uncle was Henry Grattan.... Easier to Google it). My Grandmother's Maiden name was Grattan.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I did Google it thanks as the only Grattan I knew was the catalogue company (remember them?). He seems a bit more esteemed than that thankfully.

Full buffet / dining services have not yet been reinstated since withdrawn during Covid. They have stated that should be up again shortly, how long is a piece of string? The full dining was excellent before albeit 5* prices. They will have to modify the total ban on alcohol on all services to only that purchased on board allowed.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes Tony, how long have they been saying that for!?!

@patrickmccutcheon9361

23 күн бұрын

Ridiculous that there is no catering worth talking about.

The wife and I love your stuff she got an idea for you Go eat to west of the uk on public bus go from Whiby to Morecambe see if it can be done

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 күн бұрын

I’m planning something like this, just need the time to do it. Might even do north to south 👍

welcome to Cork

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much - one of my favourite cities!

15:25 That lamp looks familiar !

@LetsMakeaTrip

23 күн бұрын

Fairly generic aren’t they those lamps!

@GabrielsReviews

23 күн бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip The only other place I've seen them has done away with them unfortunately.

Hi Mark a pretty average trip M8 ☘️ hope you enjoyed cork all the best John 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers John. I did enjoy Cork. This time I found a fantastic seafood restaurant- Quinlans I think it was. Really nice 👍

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

​@@LetsMakeaTrip Seafood? In/near Cork? You MUST visit Kinsale next time you are down that way - foodie heaven.

Enjoy your Trip in Cork City,dont forget to have a Pint of Beamish 👍

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

ah no; gotta be Murphy's, surely.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I went to Quinlans for a superb meal and a couple of Murphys. Beamish is equally as good though in Cork - probably slightly better if I'm being honest.

@t.buckley9790

29 күн бұрын

Both Brewed in Cork , spoilt for Choice !!

Bus and train from dublin to cork actually take the same amount of time, bus is far cheaper too at around 25 euro return

@LetsMakeaTrip

25 күн бұрын

Can you give me an example of this so I can reference it. I’m looking for a Mon - Sat bus between Dublin and Cork that is quicker than 2 hours 39 mins (or the same time). Cheers 😊👍

I always get the tramp. He'll be reeking of sweat, beer and cigarettes, he'll make a bee-line for the seat beside me, and he'll invariably attempt to strike up a conversation, with not a single word he says being intelligible. I'll smile, nod, and frantically pray for the remaining journey to pass as quickly as possible.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yep, or they'll make horrible coughing, grunting noises or (something that seems to be an increasing trend these days), a cheeky vape! Gotta laugh really, I spend a lot of time on public transport and I don't get on with the general public much at all tbh!!

Mark, nothing about the trip (never been to Ireland so not got any comment on it) but what have you done with the image quality of that video? Seems to have stepped up a gear? New camera? Shooting in higher res? New editing suite? Questions, questions..... 🙄

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Hi mate, I’m actually shooting in a LOWER resolution atm! But yes last few vids have been with my DJI Osmo 4 which as a bigger sensor. Lower fps helps with the editing process and there’s not that much noticeable difference imho between 1080p and 4K when it comes to shooting and viewing the kind of content I make. 👍

@shanewaterman4125

Ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip well, something is definitely different in the most recent video. Had another look at the previous two and they're the same as before. Wonder if there's been a change at YT's end?

Done this journey a fair bit recently. I think the new Trains are better though sometimes the 1st class section is too small as was the case for you. I found the old 1st Class really outdated and it was so difficult to get in and out of the seats

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

I agree there should be more first class provision. People are clearly quite happy to pay for it.

You weren't on the usual train to cork the usual cork trains do have very comfortable reclining seat

Unfortunately the first class on the 22000s are quite poor. I don’t believe I’m exaggerating when I say you’re paying and extra €10 to have a lamp beside your table. In addition I find the ride quality on the DMUs poorer than the Mark IVs overall, being louder and bumpier, not to mention you’ll find rattly parts on board quite often. The seats in both first and standard class (not that there’s any difference!) are less comfy too. Usually I just take an earlier or later service on the Mark IVs, not even in first class - their standard class might even be better than the Premier Class! I have always had a nice experience on the Mark IV first class though, which is branded as CityGold, although it seems Irish Rail are moving away from that branding; they’ve recently refurbished some of the Mk IV first class carriages, and the CityGold branding on board has been replaced simply by “First Class”. The CityGold seats are absolutely fantastic, very spacious and with recline, plus I believe the less densely packed carriage promotes a quieter atmosphere. You can tell if your service is a 22000 as opposed to Mark IV because of the 2+2 first class rather than 2+1, not to mention it’s €10 cheaper. The buffet car stopped being used when catering was suspended for Covid, but when it resumed they were just replaced by the trolley. I do hope they bring it back though, I find it adds to the experience much more than a trolley.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

The more I read these comments, the more I wish I'd have taken the loco-hauled service. I guess it's good to get a different perspective on it but like you said, there's very little difference with the 22000's between standard and first. I wish they'd make their minds up what to do with the catering because I agree, it does add to the experience - even if you have to pay for the food separately. Look at Transport for Wales and their excellent service between Cardiff and Holyhead/Manchester.

@7:35 re the Restaurant: Was in a restaurant in a gastropub in November 2007 in Salthil Galway and it was late evening and there was only one other table occupied there: There occupants of the other table clearly resented my presence there

@ericdunn555

Ай бұрын

Yep, sorry about that - hope we didn't offend you too much; nice meal though - hope you enjoyed yours too 😁😁

@signalcabin

Ай бұрын

@@ericdunn555 what was the name of the restaurant again or the guesthouse it was in? Long time ago now so long forgiven!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I've had many good nights in Galway in my backpacking days. Couldn't afford restaurants then but frequented plenty of decent pubs. It always drizzled with rain too!

you got the 22000 sets which are far inferior to the mark iv sets

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I believe so (if you can live with the tinted windows).

The trolley service is only for the Dublin to Cork route since Covid. Not really much of a difference between first class and normal class.

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

Yes I got that impression. And standard class plus a hot drink and snack from the trolley (if you need it) works out cheaper anyway.

I think id be feeling a bit cheated. The one good thing about 1st class is that its not too crowded but your compartment looked a bit too full to be worth the extra. 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

Yep, standard class on these in future but maybe I’d still go with first on the Mk4 sets 👍

Have frequently caught the through train from Newbridge (co Kildare) to the Grand Canal Dock which veers off at Heuston to pass through, under, Phoenix Park, past Drumcondra, through Connolly and on finishing at Grand Canal Dock. I've never once stopped at platform 10 and when my son-in-law spoke to one of the staff at Heuston a few years back now (he catches that train in and out daily) he was told that in future it might be used but was presently not used unless in an emergency (not specified, I assume a train breaking down though). I've caught the Cork train lots of times, even been in the first class a few times (as a sometime wheelchair user I've been placed there several times) though I've not used it in the past decade. I really must go down by train again as it's a far nicer journey than by car.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I do agree that in most cases it's better than the car though I do quite fancy taking a few bus journeys over in Ireland - haven't done that for years. Might head to the west coast next, back to Galway, Kerry Tralee etc. Beautiful round there.

Could you travel from London to Birmingham in first class for £35 on a uk rail service?

@jgcondron

Ай бұрын

UK rail is one of the most expensive in Europe. Trains are often cheaper than buses in Ireland. Dublin to Cork is €21.50 if you book a low fare ticket.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

You could have done it for less, yes. But unfortunately LNW withdrew their 1st class last year (I think). You can still do London - Birmingham in standard class for cheaper than the standard class ticket between Dublin and Cork.

Engine in that DMU out of Heuston sounds as bleddy noisy as a class 22X Vomiter in Britain.

What is coming up in Friday. Video

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

Something VERY different!!

I'm surprised it's all diesel still. Do they not have to watch their emissions like the rest of us are forced to? Lovely looking place though and cheap for 1st class even if it is exactly the same as standard with a free cup of tea.

Thanks for the review. Words are important. There is no such thing in Ireland as "First Class" - we are all the same "class" in this fantastic country and that is the beauty of it. It might take a bit of getting used to. The category of ticket you have is "city gold" or "enterprise plus" - but regardless of this ticket category ... In Ireland there is only one "class" and that is the way it should be.

@patrickmccutcheon9361

23 күн бұрын

Funny that they then sell first class tickets and in some train sets the seat are bigger with three seats across instead of four. In the old days you could get a cooked breakfast. Post covid it is just a trolley.

@LetsMakeaTrip

23 күн бұрын

As explaining in the video, I was on an Interrail first class ticket which is kind of generic regardless of what specific countries call it. In this case it was ‘Premier’ class (Irish Rail’s words not mine). I get what you’re saying but I’m reviewing a train service. Nothing more, nothing less. 😊

@rick11960

18 күн бұрын

So there is no class system in Ireland ? [must be the only country in the world not to have one ] Maybe the government have made it illegal ?

They seem to be struggling to get a contractor to take on their catering service. Not sure if it’s been resolved, but it was suspended during COVID and never came back. They’ve just refurbished the 1st class coaches on the MK4 but the ‘Premiere’ service on those 22k trains is a bit of a joke. It’s just a very slightly different seat. They do the job, they’re fuel efficient, and relatively quiet and smooth, but they’re just rather boring modern regional / intercity DMUs

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Yes I think you're right - you just get a table lamp by the sounds of it and maybe a bit more leg room? Definitely the loco-hauled service next time tbh!

oh what memories thank you . Used to get off at Ballybrophy to visit my parents not much has changed. Always found Irish trains to be full and late! Scenery in the Midlands is not that inspiring although did some walking in Slieve Bloom Mountains back in the day. Thanks for the video.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Cheers Kevin, tbh I wasn't expecting much scenery-wise because towards the west it is absolutely amazing and I'm definitely planning a trip over to Tralee, Kerry etc. Last time I was on the west coast I went over to Skellig Michael on a small boat - that was a fantastic experience. One I'll never forget!

I live in Thurles and use the service up to Dublin a couple of times a month. It’s more often than not a great service, and if you get the express train you might stop once, or direct in as little as 75 mins. Cost wise, I have free travel due to a disability, but even to pay for the service it is very affordable even for a walk up ticket at about €8 more than the online price. I’m from the UK and am horrified as to how expensive it has become to travel on the UK rail network especially as a walk up customer. I’m originally from Penrith (PNR) and use to travel regularly to London and back in the 1980’s right up until Virgin had their franchise removed you could get an affordable ticket (not so much with a walk up price!) Unfortunately most tickets are very expensive, in fact I’ve just checked for a short notice 1st class return (not open return) to Euston and I was quoted £559 (€660)!!! It may be twice the distance, but really is it 8.25 time the experience, I think not. So, my point is any short coming in your travel experience are I think no to jarring and for an on line return of €80 for a Ist class (that is how it is advertised online) makes it a very affordable way to travel around my adopted country. Just a side note, Irish Rail is a state owned and operated company. From what I can remember from the last few months of strikes on the UK rail network the UK governments prospective is the rail operators have to be in the private sector as per EU directive (not so post Brexit?). This is not true, or completely true. I think most passenger services in the EU are operated by either a majority or 100% state ownership companies, yet generally have better run services and at considerably lower prices! I understand if there is a change in government in the UK in July a stated intention is to allow franchises to lapse and for state ownership to once again be how passenger services are delivered to the public, can’t come soon enough. As the only way I can afford to use trains now in the UK when I visit is to either get a Rail/Sail ticket for an open return to anywhere in the Uk on any train at any time for less than €100 which includes my return ferry travel, or a Inter-rail ticket if I’m making a travelling holiday of with several destinations and stops during my stay.

Should of gone into supermac's for the breakfast

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I know! Lots of things learnt for next time!

Yep, Irish Rail- pretty average really!! 😅

In other words 'functional' haha

that was not a level crossing they are most likely barriers to car parks that got replaced and where just dumped there Ireland has UK style crossings and always has had

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Well yes, it was more a 'pointing them out' really. I did assume they'd been left there.

still better than the british rail crap years ago mate....

@LetsMakeaTrip

28 күн бұрын

I’ll take your word for it Sean. Never had the money for first when I was younger! 😊

10 euros extra for a free cup of tea doesn't seem worth it, especially as standard looked less busy. I presume there are no first class lounges at either end to make the most of it??

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

No lounges that I'm aware of. Oh and if you do ask for another tea, make sure you pay for it! lol

The journey was average then?

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

lol, yep!

You paid €10 for a cup of tea

If a bit of moderate wind & rain can delay the train, I dread to imagine what the effect a proper storm would be!!! The general muddle and confusion seems so..well, British! (Sorry Irish viewers!).

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

I’m trying to imagine what the damage to the level crossings was! I don’t remember seeing anything.😂