InterCity (Irish: IdirChathrach) is the brand name given to rail services operated by Iarnród Éireann that run between Dublin and other major cities in Ireland.

In 2006, deliveries began of 67 new Mark 4 coaches, specifically for the flagship Dublin-Cork route, in an order costing approximately €117 million.

The Department of Transport's project proposed that several hundred million euros would be invested by the Irish Government in improving the railway network.

A major part of this included plans for the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Claremorris, a route totalling 110 km/68.5 miles.

Iarnród Éireann's chief executive David Franks outlined how ballast was to be renewed between Hazelhatch and Kildare, which was to allow 160 km/h (100 mph) running on the 80 km (50 mi) long stretch.

Further upgrades such as the removal of level crossings and bridge replacements are expected to bring journey times from Cork to Dublin to under 2 hours.

The current Docklands station was built to ease the congestion at Connolly by providing an alternate terminus for Commuter services to the M3 Parkway.

IÉ's plan initially involved the rebuilding of Dublin Broadstone to serve as a terminus for Commuter services to the west of the capital.

However, in March 2008, the Government decided that the track bed leading from Liffey Junction would be used for an extension to the Luas rather than for heavy rail.