The 1981 Railway Cup Hurling Championship was the 55th staging of the Railway Cup since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1927.[1] The cup began on 1 March 1981 and ended on 17 March 1981.
On 17 March 1981, Munster won the cup after a 2–16 to 2–06 defeat of Leinster in the final at Cusack Park.[2] This was their 35th Railway Cup title overall and their first title since 1978.