[MrX]

I think they need to let reserved passengers on via another entrance.

If they continue to force reserved passengers to queue, it defeats part of the purpose of a reservation and also makes it more likely that reserved seats will be occupied.

There's absolutely no reason why this wouldn't work in Heuston or Kent Station Cork or at other busy terminus stations.

If you didn't have to queue with a reservation, I think it would make their online reservations service far more popular too. I know 3 people who missed a train to cork, despite having reserved, as when they arrived 20 mins ahead of the train's departure there was a queue out to the luas tracks!

I also think CIE is generally obcessed with ticket checking. There's really no particular reason why they need to check tickets as you board and then recheck them on board. Tickets are checked pretty much 100% of the time, twice!
It's the same mentality that leads to queues at bus doors and slows down journey times due to everyone paying at the door or inserting cards under STRICT driver supervision.
I sometimes wonder if they feel it's necessary to torture their customers by making them stand in long queues for absolutely no reason.

They were German business people and they left with the impression that Ireland was some kind of crazy chaotic place.
Dublin airport had added to the effect, with its nice 1970s falling apart vibe.