Mark your calendars: These are the dates that Irish Rail is striking

Today marked the first of five bouts of industrial action by Irish Rail employees. 

Employees went on strike today, leaving up to 150,000 commuters to find alternative means of transport and completely halting the country's rail travel system. 

According to a statement released by Irish Rail, there are a number of other days on which strike action is planned, so mark those diaries. 

Power walking to the train station and then realising #trainstrike pic.twitter.com/0YKYBkRXsS

— Tom (@tomwillfixit) November 1, 2017

Trains will not operate across Intercity, DART and Commuter routes next Tuesday, November 7. 

The following week, strike action will also occur on a Tuesday, the 14th. 

This date will hit those outside of Dublin who plan to travel up for the Ireland v Denmark World Cup Play-off at Lansdowne Road.

No rail services operating on any routes today Wednesday 1st November due to planned industrial action https://t.co/RqguZY1cxG

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) November 1, 2017

There will be strike action on Thursday November 23, and again on December 8. 

Refunds are available for those who have planned to travel on those days. 

Strikers hope to secure a pay rise with the latest bout of industrial action bringing Ireland's transport services to a standstill.