CONNELLY STATION [REPROCESSED IMAGES FROM DECEMBER 2014]
Back in 2014 I was in the process of switching from Canon DSLR to Sony Mirrorless. This photograph was taken using a Sony NEX-7 and an E 18-200 zoom lens which I really liked. Since then I progressed to an A7RII, an A7RIII and recently a Sony A7RIV which is my favourite camera ever.
Connolly station is the busiest railway station in Ireland and is a focal point in the Irish route network. On the North side of the River Liffey, it provides InterCity, Enterprise and commuter services to the north, north-west, south-east and south-west.
The North-South Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Luas light rail services also pass through the station. The station offices are the headquarters of Irish Rail, Iarnród Éireann. Opened in 1844 as Dublin Station, the ornate facade has a distinctive Italianate tower at its centre.
DART trains use platforms equipped with overhead wires (Platforms 5, 6, and 7). Terminal Platform 4 is also electrified. As of January 2019 there are 6 DARTs per hour in each direction on weekdays. These are:
Northbound: 3 per hour to Howth and 3 per hour to Malahide
Southbound: 4 per hour to Bray and 2 per hour to Greystones
Irish Rail increased the DART frequency to every ten minutes in September 2018 which increased the number of trains per hour in Howth and Malahide to 3 and those terminating at Bray to 4 per hour but kept Greystones at 2 per hour, with some peak services also terminating at Dún Laoghaire.
It is also planned to expand the DART lines to Maynooth, Hazelhatch and Balbriggan or Drogheda.
