Travelling by Train to and from Cloughjordan
Cloughjordan station is served by trains from Dublin and Limerick, please use them if you can – and help keep our local line open. There are two trains per day in each direction every weekday including Saturday and one late-evening train in each direction on Sundays. Timetables change from time to time so check before you travel.
The 09.00 from Dublin (Heuston) arrives in Cloughjordan at 10.46 and an evening train leaves Cloughjordan at 18.08 arriving in Dublin at 20.00 (Monday to Saturday).
On Sundays the 18.25 train from Dublin arrives in Cloughjordan at 20.26, while the train for Dublin leaves Cloughjordan at 18.40 and is due in Dublin at 20.42.
The morning service from Cloughjordan to Dublin is 7.57 (Monday to Saturday) arriving at 9.55. The evening train from Dublin to Cloughjordan is at 18.00 (Monday to Saturday), arriving at 19.43.
All services involve changing trains at Ballybrophy.
Day trips from Dublin
The service is ideal for a (week)day trip: leaving Dublin at 9am and returning around 8pm. You can get seven hours in Cloughjordan – and there’s plenty to do when you get here! No Sunday morning service from Dublin rules out a (Sun)day trip to Cloughjordan unfortunately.
There is an easy change of trains in Ballybrophy and the train is almost always waiting when you arrive, so there’s no hanging about. (note that this train appears to head back towards Dublin for a short distance before curving round towards the west again. Don’t panic!) You pass through fairly flat farmland as far as Ballybrophy, with just a few small towns to break the view. From there, the local train ambles through a rolling landscape of fields and woods to Cloughjordan. Keep your eyes peeled for foxes, hares and other wildlife: they know the train is no threat, so are often in clear view.
Day trips from Limerick
The timings are less convenient than from Dublin. No Sunday morning service from Limerick rules out a day trip. Otherwise, a ninety minute trip departing from Limerick at 6.30 (Mon – Sat) and returning at 19.43, you get fourteen hours or more in Cloughjordan – good value for money if you don’t mind the early start! You’ll pass through a rolling landscape of fields and woods as far as Birdhill before entering the more scenic foothills of the Silvermines mountains. On a fine summer day, this section of the line can be a delight, in either the morning or the evening, as above, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
Bank holiday weekends – there are no trains on the local line on the Sunday of a holiday weekend nor on the following Monday morning. The evening train runs at the normal Monday time.
Check before you travel at www.irishrail.ie – the local timetable is here.
Travelling by Road
From Dublin
Follow M7 (Limerick direction) and exit at Moneygall (between Roscrea and Nenagh). At the far end of Moneygall main street, take a right turn (at the Sign saying Cloughjordan 10km, Borrisokane 20 km). Allow two hours.
From Limerick
Follow M7 (Dublin direction) and exit at Moneygall (between Nenagh and Roscrea). At the far end of Moneygall main street, take a left turn at the sign saying Cloughjordan 10km, Borrisokane 20 km). Allow one hour
From Shannon, Cork and the South West
Follow the signs for Limerick. On approaching Limerick city, follow signs for Dublin to bypass the city centre and then follow the above. Allow over two hours
Route from the Northern Midlands, the West and the North-West
Join the N52 Dundalk – Nenagh road wherever appropriate (it passes through Kells, Mullingar, Kilbeggan, Tullamore and Birr) and follow it to Borrisokane (between Birr and Nenagh). At the far end of Borrisokane main street, turn left at a petrol station and a sign for Cloughjordan.
From the North East
Follow the M1 to Dublin then the M50 to the Red Cow roundabout and follow the signs to Limerick as described above.
From the South East
Join the N80 Enniscorthy-Tullamore road wherever appropriate (it passes through Bunclody and Carlow) and follow it to Portlaoise then follow signs for Limerick as described above.
From the South
Join the M8/ N8 Cork-Dublin road wherever appropriate. Take the N62 exit for Thurles & follow the N62 to Roscrea and then follow signs for Limerick as described above.
Plan your route on the AA’s route planner
Travelling by bus
There is no direct service to Cloughjordan by bus but nearby Monegall (10km) has a regular Bus Eireann service to and from Dublin and Limerick every day. Buses leave Dublin (Airport and Busaras) and Limerick regularly (see timetable). The bus takes over two hours from Dublin and about one from Limerick. Please note that some are express services and do not stop at Monegall (the nearest stop is at Nenagh).
Kavanaghs private bus service from Shannon Airport to Dublin Airport via Limerick and Dublin city also serves Monegall sixteen times a day including a night service (see www.jjkavanagh.ie for details). Local taxis can help you complete the journey – see under business listings.
The local Rural Transport service links Cloughjordan and other villages to Nenagh, Roscrea and Birr. The timetable for Nenagh and Roscrea is here and the timetable for Birr is here. Used on its own or in conjunction with the above long distance services the Rural transport bus is a bonus to locals and visitors alike.
However you travel you will find a welcome in the calm of middle country in Cloughjordan.