Wexford Festival Opera Revives Opera Train for 75th Anniversary

The featured performance is Prokofiev’s The Gambler at the National Opera House
Wexford Festival Opera revives the Opera Train for one night on October 22, 2026
The experience returns after a 20-year hiatus for the festival’s 75th anniversary
Passengers travel aboard the Emerald Pullman heritage train from Dublin to Wexford
The package costs approximately €479 per person and includes fine dining and premium opera tickets

Wexford Festival Opera has revived the historic Opera Train for one night only on Thursday, 22 October 2026, partnering with Railtours Ireland to mark the festival’s landmark 75th anniversary. The iconic black-tie travel experience returns after a 20-year hiatus, offering passengers an all-inclusive luxury evening aboard the Emerald Pullman heritage train from Dublin to Wexford. The revival represents a distinctive addition to the festival’s anniversary programming, combining rail heritage, fine dining and operatic performance in a single experience.

Passengers will travel from Dublin Connolly Station to Wexford O’Hanrahan Station, with the schedule strictly timed to align with the performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s opera, The Gambler, at the National Opera House. The package costs approximately €479 per person and includes round-trip travel, on-board fine dining, private coach transfers and premium tickets to the mainstage performance. The dress code for the evening is strict black-tie, reflecting the formal nature of the event. Departure from Dublin occurs at 15:30 following a champagne platform reception, with a four-course dinner served on board during the scenic coastal journey.

The return journey departs Wexford at 23:00, serving supper on the return trip before arrival at Dublin Connolly Station at 01:10. For those unable to attend the official luxury event, Irish Rail operates standard daily commuter services from Dublin Connolly to Wexford O’Hanrahan Station, though standard late-night return trains to Dublin are not typically available after evening performances end. The Redmond Square station in Wexford sits roughly a 10-minute walk uphill to the National Opera House, making an overnight stay advisable for regular commuters.