The Grand Hibernian, a luxury sleeper train that has been attracting visitors and locals since 2016 will not return after a Covid-induced year off. The train is owned by Belmond, the company that also owns the Orient Express and a number of other luxury excursions and hotels.
The train’s cars, which include coaches, diner, sleepers and observation car, have been sent to Europe for renovation and and will eventually run on another route where Belmond feels it can more reliably profit.
The company’s statement doesn’t indicate where that will be, or why it couldn’t have been Ireland: “While it is too early to reveal the location of the new service, Belmond expects this operation to remain within Europe, where demand for immersive, slow-travel experiences of this kind is increasing and local and regional markets have proven resilient outside government-mandated lockdowns.”
