MetroLink at Fosterstown

Fosterstown is one of the planned stations on MetroLink, the 19 km metro from Estuary in Swords to Charlemont in Dublin. The project is moving, but no opening date has been confirmed.

The short version

• MetroLink runs from Estuary in Swords to Charlemont, with 16 stations. Trains are planned every three minutes at peak times.
• On the R132 through Swords the stations are Seatown, Swords Central and Fosterstown, with Estuary at the northern end.
• Planning permission was granted in October 2025.
• On 16 September 2026 the Cabinet cleared the way for the market to be asked to bid to build and operate the line.
• Preparatory (enabling) work comes before the main construction.

Where Fosterstown fits

The construction work is being split into contracts. The northern contract, from Northwood to Estuary, covers the viaducts, the park-and-ride sites, preparation of a depot at Dardistown, and the stations at Dardistown, Fosterstown, Swords Central, Seatown and Estuary. Its tender value is about €3.3 billion excluding VAT.

Not a new idea

An earlier scheme, Metro North, also planned a Fosterstown stop. Archaeological reports written in 2009 and 2010 list its route as running through Seatown, Swords and Fosterstown to Dublin Airport. That scheme was deferred in 2011 and later redesigned, from 2018, as MetroLink. The Fosterstown archaeology found in 2009 is covered on the history page.

What it means on the ground

The line follows the R132 through Swords. Reporting on the plans describes a trench of about 3.6 km along the road, with the roundabouts along the route turned into junctions and the footbridges removed. Parking near the R132 stations will be limited, with walking, cycling and buses expected to be the main ways in. A park-and-ride is planned at Estuary for people driving in from the M1.

Expect disruption on the R132 before there is a train: the first jobs are moving utilities and removing the footbridges. Reports differ on exactly when. One says enabling works are due to begin early in 2027, another says they have already been tendered and the footbridges could go within a year.

Cost

The central estimate is €15.75 billion excluding VAT, within a range of €14.44 billion to €17.49 billion once inflation and contingency are included. Bids due next year are expected to firm those figures up.

Not yet known

• When the line will open.
• The exact start dates for construction in Fosterstown.
• The final cost, until contractors have bid.

For local businesses

Works along the R132 are likely to affect traffic and footfall for some time. The directory is here to help people find and keep supporting what is on their doorstep.

Sources

• RTÉ, 4 February 2026: first MetroLink contracts go to tender
• Dublin People, 23 September 2026: MetroLink finally on the move
• Irish Cycle, 18 October 2026: removing roundabouts in Swords and MetroLink
• Wikipedia: MetroLink (Dublin) (Metro North deferred 2011, redesigned as MetroLink 2018)
• Metro North test trenching report, Testing Area 9 (Headland Archaeology, 2010: lists the Fosterstown stop)
• Dublin People, 8 October 2025: planning permission granted

This is an unofficial local summary, last checked 19 October 2026. For the latest, go to the official project at metrolink.ie.