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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Shaun Keenan

Translink Derry GAA train to Dublin will now connect from the North West city

Translink has now changed their plans for Derry GAA fans travelling to Dublin this weekend, with a train now connecting between Derry and Belfast.

It comes after the bus and rail operator announced last week that a 'special train' would be available for fans to use to travel to Croke Park for Derry's game against Galway on July 9.

The service - which will start and end at Lanyon Place Train Station - is 30 miles from the Antrim/Derry border, 70 miles from Derry City and 52 miles from Coleraine.

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However, a spokesperson said that after "monitoring the bookings for this rail special" a train service would now operate from Derry to connect with the special from Dublin for the return journey.

In his petition message on Change.org, Rail Campaigner, Steve Bradley from Into the West said it 'made no sense' and there was "no insurmountable technical reason" why the train didn't run from Derry to Dublin in the first place.

A spokesperson for Translink said: “We are operating a number of transport options to the GAA all Ireland football semi-final in Dublin on Saturday.

“There are coach specials leaving Foyle Street in Derry~Londonderry, Dungiven and Maghera to Dublin.

“A rail special is also running from Belfast to Dublin (return) with connections off scheduled rail services to connect with this special and capacity on these is being enhanced to cater for the expected increase in demand.

“We have been monitoring the bookings for this rail special and can now confirm we will operate a train service to Derry~Londonderry to connect with the special from Dublin for the return journey.

“This is an exceptionally busy holiday weekend. Many people are taking holidays using cross-border services and we are also committed to operating additional special coach and train services to concerts in Dublin. As such we are operating at maximum capacity of the timetable and infrastructure we have available.

“Many of these special services are now sold out and so anyone travelling this weekend cross-border should ensure they pre-book their ticket to travel”.

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