In brief
The Irish government will commit €228m (£197m) to upgrade train services between Belfast, Derry and Dublin, funding new rail infrastructure and extending hourly services until 2030. The same fund will also bankroll a £3m pitch upgrade at Stormont as part of a bid for the 2030 T20 World Cup, as well as £40m of port development and €30m to complete the Ulster Canal restoration. Additional plans include a water‑quality programme for Lough Neagh, €13.5m for early‑years educator training and a €33m environmental initiative. Total commitments from the Shared Island Fund now exceed €1bn (£862m), with 12 new projects announced for 2027‑2030.
Train, pitch, canal – the big €228m Boost for the island
What is the money for? The Irish government is putting €228m (£197m) into cross‑border rail projects that run between Derry, Belfast and Dublin. €193m will upgrade the rail infrastructure and €35m will so the hourly trains from Dublin to Belfast keep running until at least 2030.
Meet the Shared Island Fund. This money comes from the last push of the Shared Island Fund, an initiative to help joint projects that benefit both sides of the island.
More than trains. The government also earmarked £3m for a new cricket pitch at Stormont – part of a bid to co‑host the 2030 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. Cricket Ireland and the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association are each putting £1m into expanding the grounds.
Ports and canals. An extra €40m (£34m) will boost ports across the island, while €30m (£26m) will bring the Ulster Canal to its final phase – a 10km stretch linking Clones to the Erne System. A 9km new Greenway will run from Clones to Gortnacarrow.
Water quality. Lough Neagh will receive €33m (£28m) for a new Catchment Area Water Quality programme that tackles blue‑green algae. The plan will install physical measures and lead a knowledge‑share network to improve the lake’s health.
Edu‑care upgrade. The fund will also provide €13.5m (£12m) to create 1,000 new early‑years educator places – 40% of which will be for staff in Northern Ireland. These professionals will receive training and resources for 10,500 childcare services on the island.
Micheál Martin, the Irish prime minister, said the total funding now sits over €1bn (£862m), signalling a major commitment to a “connected, sustainable and prosperous island for all communities.”
A range of related projects – from tourism to rail speed‑up – line up under this big shared investment; the aim is to make travelling, working and playing across the island easier for everyone.
Lough Neagh: the largest freshwater lake on the island, affected by algae blooms.
