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METROLINK

MetroLink in Swords

Four of the line’s stations are in Swords. No opening date has been confirmed.

Illustrative image, not a verified photograph

MetroLink will link Swords with Dublin Airport and the city centre, continuing south to Charlemont. Swords gets four stations along the R132, and the road is where most of the change will be seen first. Last checked 19 October 2026. This is an unofficial local summary; the official detail is at metrolink.ie.

Where it stands

EstablishedMetroLink has an operative Railway Order and Government approval to go to detailed tender. Significant enabling works are expected to begin in early 2027, followed by the main tunnelling and station construction. A passenger opening date should not be assumed.

  1. DoneRailway Order application submitted30 September 2022
  2. DoneRailway Order granted30 September 2025
  3. DoneRailway Order became operative12 January 2026
  4. DoneGovernment approval to go to detailed tender16 September 2026
  5. ExpectedSignificant enabling worksExpected from early 2027
  6. ExpectedMain tunnelling and station constructionFollows enabling works; procurement progressing
  7. Not confirmedPassenger openingNot confirmed. Reporting suggests at least the mid-2030s

Future dates are indicative and can change. Reports differ on exactly when the first jobs start. Official detail: the Railway Order portal and the September 2026 announcement.

The four stops

EstablishedFrom north to south along the R132, according to MetroLink’s route and stations page. Parts of the route through Swords are in cutting or cut and cover, so the Swords section should not be described as entirely underground.

  1. STOP 1 OF 4

    Estuary

    The northern end of the line, with a planned 3,000-space park and ride for people driving in from the M1 and the old Belfast Road. It serves a future development zone, and the proposed Swords Western Distributor Road would link north-west Swords to it.

  2. STOP 2 OF 4

    Seatown

    At Seatown Road and the R132, within the grounds of the Hertz Europe Service Centre. It serves the housing of north Swords and the nearby retail and business parks.

  3. STOP 3 OF 4

    Swords Central

    Beside the R132, part of the R132 Connectivity Project that is to link the Pavilions Shopping Centre with the proposed Barrysparks development on the east side. A pedestrian crossing would connect to the shopping centre, bus stops and the town centre.

  4. STOP 4 OF 4

    Fosterstown

    Beside the R132, just north of Airside Retail Park and close to the Boróimhe estate. MetroLink expects it to draw people from a wider area including west Swords, Holywell, Malahide, Feltrim and Kinsealy.

    Fosterstown station in detail →

Further south in Fingal the line serves Northwood (under the R108), Dardistown (a future station that should not be assumed to open with the first service) and Dublin Airport, at the current Terminal 2 surface car park. The full route is about 19 km, automated and fully segregated, mostly underground, with 16 stations and peak trains every three minutes on opening, according to the September 2026 announcement.

Still to establishExact entrances, walking routes and journey times for the Swords stations. None have been published that we could find; the Railway Order drawings are the place to look.

What changes first

EstablishedThe line follows the R132. Reporting on the plans describes a trench of about 3.6 km along the road, built partly in open cut and partly cut and cover. Four footbridges over the R132 (at Estuary, Seatown, Chapel Lane and Malahide roundabouts) are to be removed, with new signalised crossings in place before they come down.

ProbableParking near the R132 stations is expected to be limited, with walking, cycling and buses the main ways in, and the park and ride at Estuary for people driving from the M1. Expect disruption along the R132 before there is a train: moving utilities and removing the footbridges come first. That is our reading of the plans, not a published works programme.

EstablishedFingal’s R132 Connectivity Project is a separate job. It began construction in April 2026, covers about 3 km from the Bostik junction to the edge of Pinnock Hill roundabout, and runs in four phases over an expected 25 months. It improves pedestrian crossings, walking and cycling and supports MetroLink and BusConnects. Its start is not the start of the main metro construction. See the plans page for the rest of what Fingal is building.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is delivering MetroLink, with the National Transport Authority involved in transport planning and oversight. Fingal County Council coordinates local development planning and supporting infrastructure.

EstablishedNot a new idea. An earlier scheme, Metro North, also ran through Swords. It was deferred in 2011 and redesigned from 2018 as MetroLink. The history of Swords has the longer story.

Not yet known

  • When the line will open.
  • Exact start dates for construction in each part of Swords.
  • The final cost, until contractors have bid. The central estimate is €15.75 billion excluding VAT.
  • Walking routes, entrances and journey times for the four Swords stations.

For businesses along the R132

Works along the R132 are likely to affect traffic and footfall for some time. The directory lists more than a thousand businesses and services across Swords so people can find and keep supporting what is on their doorstep. If you trade near the route, check your listing is right, or ask about advertising or sponsoring on this site. Use the form and pick the topic that fits. If you would like occasional emails about local news and events, tick the box. It is optional and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Sources