Opened by the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway in 1851,[1] the station was the major stop between Dundalk and Drogheda.

[2] The station survived longer than most following the rationalisation of the railway network,[citation needed] until it was closed by Córas Iompair Éireann in 1984.

In the late 20th century, Dunleer's population expanded and it "developed into a local transport hub".

[3] As of 2010, the local Dunleer Community Development Board were calling for the railway station to be reopened.

[3] While the possibility of the station being rebuilt was referenced in local development plans published in 2009 by Louth County Council,[4] as of 2021 the National Transport Authority reportedly had "no plans" for a station at Dunleer.