Iarnród Éireann regrets to inform customers that our catering provider, RailGourmet has advised that it is no longer able to provide catering services on Iarnród Éireann’s Intercity network.
This is despite extensive efforts by both Iarnród Éireann and RailGourmet to see on-board catering services resume, following their enforced absence for two years of the pandemic. Since the lifting of face covering regulations in February 2022, RailGourmet has not been able to resume services, primarily due to the challenges in resolving staffing issues, and significant additional costs.
As a result, a termination of the contract with RailGourmet has been agreed, and catering services will remain suspended. (Catering services on the Dublin / Belfast Enterprise train, under a separate contract with Corporate Catering Services Ltd, are continuing to operate on a limited basis.)
We will quickly commence the process to tender for a new catering contract. However, this will mean that catering services are unlikely to be available on board until at least early 2023.
We sincerely apologise to customers who will be inconvenienced by this and we look forward to returning the on-board catering service to you as soon as we can.
Meanwhile many of our Intercity stations have existing retail / catering facilities available for customers, and Iarnród Éireann will work with CIÉ Property in the interim to further enhance, where possible, station based retail and catering options for customers.
Customers planning a substantial Intercity journey should be aware especially those making early morning trips and in general for travel over the summer months
