Rail passengers are being advised to check their travel plans this weekend because of disruption to Iarnród Éireann services.

The company said it chose this time of year to carry out improvement works rather than during the busier summer months, but it will mean travel disruption for tens of thousands of passengers.

The Cork to Dublin line will be affected with all services tomorrow and Sunday being operated by bus transfers between Mallow and Cork. Services will only operate from Mallow to Dublin Heuston.

It is a similar situation for the Dublin to Belfast line, with bus transfers in place for the weekend.

The DART will also be curtailed with no northside services for tomorrow and Sunday, with Dublin Bus accepting valid rail tickets.

Bus services around the city will also be affected on Sunday morning as the Dublin Marathon takes place.

There will be further disruption for rail passengers next week as the first of five rail strikes is due to take place next Wednesday.

What rail services are disrupted this bank holiday weekend?

A spokesperson for Irish Rail has said that extensive track renewal and bridge works will disrupt travel this weekend.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Barry Kenny said the scale of the works required three days to complete and it was being carried out this weekend to avoid affecting weekday commuters.

Mr Kenny also said all trains were set to be cancelled on Wednesday 1 November as industrial action looks likely to proceed.