MEATH IS SET to get four new train stations under plans to extend the Dart line to connect Navan and Dublin. 

There are currently no train lines serving Navan, making it the largest town not on the national rail network.

The proposed plans were published today for the 34km electrified route, which would see the existing Dart line extended from the M3 Parkway in Meath to new stations at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan Central and terminating at Navan North.

Trains will run up to every 15 minutes at peak times between Navan and Connolly Station in Dublin.

The journey will take approximately 60 minutes and will have capacity for up to 4,400 passengers each way per hour.

There will be park-and-ride facilities at the stations at Kilmessan, Dunshaughlin and Navan North.

The proposed stations in Navan Iarnród Éireann Iarnród Éireann

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said “Today marks a key milestone in our plans to extend the Dart system to Navan, with the announcement of the preferred route for this 34km railway extension from M3 Parkway to Navan North”.

The route will follow a similar route to the original railway, which closed in 1963, making use of the disused railway corridor where possible. One key revision will be to better serve the growing town of Dunshaughlin and its environs.

Communities along the corridor are being invited to give their feedback on the proposed plans. The public consultation will remain open until Friday 3 July.

A planning application is expected to be lodged in 2028, with construction to begin in 2030.