to think you don't talk in the quiet carriage?

[Ambivalence]

Group of 4. Twentysomething women chattering at top volume and a child singing!

They could use any other carriage. so rude!

That wasn't in a quiet carriage ilove, I'm not sure they exist on Irish trains! People weren't shouting at one another they were shouting to one another, and the whole carriage was laughing and joining in.

If it's the norm there I suppose that's different.

I think it's pretty annoying on a train, particularly in a quiet carriage if people shout (at or to) one another. In fact, it's annoying in a lot of places but a train is a confined space and, IMO, necessitates consideration of others' needs.

I've never heard of a quiet carriage, but what's the logic of assigning one which bans mobile phones, but allows all other manner of screeching / singing, etc.
Why would anyone request it?
If I'd paid extra for a quiet carriage I'd be bloody furious to find it full of jabbering teens and singing kids!

Floggingmolly, you don't pay extra for the quiet carriage but you can choose it. If you are randomly "assigned" it when given your seat reservation you can easily choose to reserve a seat in a different non quiet carriage, unless every other seat is already booked (unlikely). I always change my seat when booking online e.g. to make it near the luggage rack or to pick quiet coach, so I am wondering if those on about being "assigned" just don't know how to use a booking website properly If you are a large and rowdy group wanting a chat or travelling with a small child then IMO you really should choose a non quiet coach.

you don't choose it if you are a wheelchair or buggy user round here, its the only one that takes em

Just involve yourself in their conversation by interjecting inappropriate comments. They'll either shut up or knock you out. Either way, you won't hear them anymore.

Isn't the quiet carriage just one where using electronics is banned? iPods, mobiles, that sort of thing?
It is annoying when people are very noisy, but how crowded was the train?