[1] In a similar manner to the Berlin S-Bahn, the DART blends elements of a commuter rail service and a rapid transit system.

[2] The DART system was established by Córas Iompair Éireann in 1984 to replace an ageing fleet of diesel-powered locomotives.

Contemporary rolling stock on the DART network is powered by 1,500 V DC overhead lines and uses the 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Irish gauge.

The scenic views from the railway over Dublin Bay at this point have been compared to those on the Gulf of Naples[3] and have resulted in trips to Killiney Hill and Greystones along the line becoming tourist attractions.

Replacement parts had become difficult to obtain due to the age of the rolling stock and its conversion to push-pull operation, which had been intended as a temporary measure until a more permanent solution could be established, had come to the end of its serviceable life.

Early DART services ran from the north-eastern suburb of Howth, through Connolly, Tara Street, and Pearse stations in the city centre and on to Bray, which lies on the border between Dublin and Wicklow.

Further electrification of the line took place between Howth Junction & Donaghmede and Malahide, the northernmost DART station, on the Belfast mainline.

The now-withdrawn 8200 Class sets which were first run in 2000 operated until 2008 at which point they were retired from revenue service and decommissioned due to longstanding technical issues.

A redevelopment of the network's stations was undertaken between 2003 and 2005 to lengthen platforms to accommodate eight-car sets, upgrade the power grid, and improve accessibility for disabled passengers.

The main CTC is staffed at all times however, there are also backup local control rooms which allow services to continue in the event of serious technical problems.

The majority of stations on the network have been renovated to include automatic barriers which require passengers to submit their tickets for verification before they can set foot on the platform.

A ticket is required in advance of boarding DART services and can be purchased at stations from staffed kiosks and automated machines.

Revenue protection officers check passengers' tickets to ensure validity both onboard trains and on station platforms at random intervals.

[17] An Bord Pleanála was initially due to issue a decision by March 2023 with Iarnród Éireann hoping to begin construction in early 2024, but later postponed the deadline to December 2023.

It proposes the extension of overhead wires on the Belfast–Dublin line by 37 kilometres to Drogheda, a new platform at MacBride station, several modifications to bridges and track configurations as well as upgrades to signalling and power infrastructure.

[25] DART+ Coastal North was approved by the government in May 2024[24] and the railway order application was submitted by Iarnród Éireann in July 2024.

[31] Several proposals have been made to expand the DART network beyond the coastal mainline and provide service to the north and west of the city.

This proposed DART Underground project, first posited in 1972,[32] included plans for services from Celbridge/Hazelhatch to the Docklands via St. Stephen's Green.

[37] In 2017, IÉ announced plans to procure a new fleet of trains with the intention of extending DART services from 2023 onwards.

The prototype plans include 4 bike spaces per car, dedicated wheelchair areas, and automatic ramps for passenger accessibility.

[43][44] In April 2023, TD Fergus O'Dowd suggested that the first set of trains were due to be delivered by 2025, enabling expansion of DART services to Drogheda along the DART+ Coastal North route.

They also operate faster Commuter and InterCity services, which also serve Greystones, Bray, Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock, Sydney Parade, Lansdowne Road, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin Pearse, Tara Street, Dublin Connolly, Howth Junction & Donaghmede, Clongriffin, Portmarnock and Malahide.

Travel passes and integrated ticketing (Leap Cards) for DART, Luas and Dublin Bus services were introduced in 2011.