The work involved upgrading the 692m-long Phoenix Park tunnel and Drumcondra and Tara Street stations, track renewal, and resignalling. The project was funded by Ireland’s National Transport Authority.

The new link provides a direct service between stations in southwest Dublin and north Kildare via the city centre, linking Newbridge, Hazelhatch and Parkwest with Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock. Although the trains will by-pass Heuston station, passengers will be able to connect with long-distance services at Newbridge or Hazelhatch.

IE is operating 10 trains per weekday during the morning peak and 14 trains during the evening peak period, but it plans to expand services in the future to include off-peak and weekend services.