In a recent feature for The Irish Times, a journalist explores the return of the Wexford Opera Train, examining why passengers pay €479 for a vintage rail journey to the Wexford Festival Opera despite the soporific effects of rich food and wine.
Dublin Connolly Departure Details
At 3pm on a sunny October afternoon, passengers boarded platform 5 at Dublin Connolly dressed in gowns and furs. The service marked the return of the Wexford Opera Train for the first time in almost two decades, coinciding with the Wexford Festival Opera’s 75th-anniversary celebrations. Tonight’s featured production was The Gambler, matching the opera those travellers were on their way to see in a 1973 RTÉ newsreel. Departure faced a minor delay due to animals on the tracks, which added to the faintly circus-like, storybook quality of the afternoon before the dark-green relic of a 1970s train pulled into the station.
Vintage Rail Experience and Dining
Preserved by railway enthusiasts, the vintage carriages featured plush seats, thick carpets, and tables laid with white cloths where champagne was immediately served to travelers. As the train rolled out of Dublin along the coast with views of the Poolbeg towers, dinner service began with a salmon and prawn salad, followed by seared hake and a selection of desserts. Waiters poured wine generously while the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin performed Happy Birthday to honor the festival. The atmosphere combined historical pageantry with relaxed social interaction, though the combination of wine, rich food, and the rhythmic motion of the train left several passengers, including the journalist and her travel companion, falling asleep before arrival.
National Opera House Production
Upon arrival in Wexford amid a storm, passengers transferred via bus to the National Opera House for the staging of The Gambler. The production featured a striking black-and-white world with ballerinas in red tutus, earning a five-star review from The Irish Times critic Michael Dervan. Hassan, an Egyptian-born theatre critic, described the work during the interval as a musical depiction of the paranoia of the upper classes. Following the performance, passengers returned to the train where a card-and-cash bar opened with proceeds going to the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, allowing travelers to mingle and share stories about the journey.
Financial Comparison and Passenger Appeal
Passenger Ultan Herr explained that the €479 ticket price actually represented an economical option compared to driving independently, booking a hotel, paying for separate meals, and purchasing individual opera tickets, which he estimated could easily reach €700 each. Other passengers cited the romance of the vintage carriages, the excuse to dress up, and the chance to experience an escape from ordinary life as the primary motivation for booking the trip. While acknowledging the high cost for what turned out to be a relaxing nap, travelers emphasized the unique atmosphere and the sense of historical occasion provided by the restored 1970s rail service.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Wexford Opera Train run previously?
The archival footage referenced from RTÉ dates back to 1973, showing passengers en route to the same opera, The Gambler.
Where do the bar proceeds go on the return journey?
Proceeds from the card-and-cash bar on the return trip go to the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
How much does a ticket for the opera train cost?
A ticket for the anniversary journey costs €479, which covers the vintage rail transport, champagne, a multi-course dinner, and the overall travel experience.
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