While this whole website writes about motorway service stations, this page is dedicated to those that don't qualify for the main listings, either because they are still in development or they will never be built. Those with detailed information have their own pages, while others are only listed here. There are a number of categories:
Tranche 3 Service Areas
These sites were supposed to be developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to open in 2019. They are now postponed, and subject to a review in 2027:
- Athenry (Oranmore) (M6/M17/M18)
- Dunshaughlin (M3)
- Ennis (Newmarket-on-Fergus) (M18)
Other Developments
- Riverside Foods Ltd sought planning permission to build a service area on the M18 near Gort in July 2025.
- As part of the M28 project, Cork County Council have suggested a HGV-only service area be built by the Ringaskiddy Roundabout.
- As part of the N21/N69 project, Limerick County Council have suggested a HGV-only service area be built on the L6188 near Foynes Junction.
- The M20 extension will need service areas, but it's still in the early stages of planning.
- If the M11 is ever extended to Rosslare, a full service area will be needed near Wexford.
- If the N7 is upgraded to motorway, a new facility will be needed near Rathcoole, where there is already a service area.
Offline Proposals
Unlike the examples above, the following service areas have been proposed by the private sector, and are likely to secure planning permission (if not already):
- Ennis (M18)
- Naas: a large Applegreen with two drive thrus is planned for M7 J9. Applegreen have stressed that it will not be a motorway service area, but technically it could still be signed from the N7, and they have compared it to their site at Rathcoole.
Cancelled Services
This leaves the following service areas which were planned, but those plans now appear to have been formally cancelled. You can also download the list on Google Earth. As always, only sites which were likely to qualify as a motorway service area are shown here.
- Dromin Plaza (M1)
- Dunboyne (M3)
- Jigginstown (M7)
- Maudlins (M7 - former Cemex site)
- Newtownbalregan (M1)
- Mullinavat (M9)
- Woodland (M1)
Oldest Services
The first sites to get an official "services" label from the National Roads Authority were Rathcoole and Kill West, two old forecourts positioned directly on the busy N7. Lusk was the first motorway site to get this label, a tranche 1, online motorway site which opened its doors in September 2010. Cashel opened the following year as Ireland's first privately-developed service area to be signed from a motorway. The tranche 2 online openings began with Athlone in September 2019.