Dundalk Railway Station
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Originally posted by Graham Hickey
What does the original Clontarf Rd station look like? Where exactly is it?
No trace remains. It was north of the existing station. Looking on the right hand side of the line as you head north, there is a red brick house immediately after the 2nd road bridge out of the present station. This was the residence for the stationmaster at Amiens Street Station (Connolly). Clontarf station was one or other side of this road underbridge. It only had wooden platforms.
Clontarf station, which closed in 1956 was on the same side of the Howth Road underbridge as the red brick station master’s residence. Again the gate piers for access to the station are still in-situ beside the footpath. There are are signals, one on either side of the tracks which are on the site of the platforms. If you look closely on the Down side there are a couple of concrete stumps on the site of the platform.
Regarding what Clontarf station (the GNR(I) halt once accessed from the Howth Road), may I suggest a book which has photos of other GNR(I) halts which were carbon copies of Clontarf. “Along UTA Lines- Ulster’s rail network in the network in the 1960’s” by Ian McLarnon Sinclair, published by Colourpoint http://www.colourpoint.co.uk has some photos of interest. Study the photos of Adelaide, Dunmurry and Derriaghy, especially Derriaghy. The common features of these stations (platforms, picket fencing, waiting shelters and lamp standards with cast iron nameplates were what existed at Clontarf. I am sure of this as having shown these photos to my father, he confirmed that Clontarf was similar to, if not the same as these stations. Another source of interest is in the J.P.O’Dea Collection in the National Photo Archive in the Temple Bar. In this collection’s catalogue there are two photos the Dublin section. These are listed as “Howth Road”. In the absence of actual photos of Clontarf station which I know of I hope that this will be of help.
Interesting that the picket fencing was standard even then – I thought this was just an Iarnrod twee country-cottage invention (considering at Laytown the uprights are supported with a galvanised steel frame!)
Passed the bridge at Donabate today, its so attractive, very delicate and transparent – the same as Rush and Lusk but in better condition.
At Donabate there is a horrible vast expanse of glaring PVC window with the obligatory ‘Georgian’ plastic grid clamped between the panes. There’s also lots of PVC at Skerries which originally had beautiful sashes. IR engaged in nasty double-standards in this regard – scouping up its own heritage awards for the likes of Dundalk whilst simultaneously removing the original windows from it’s ‘lesser’ stations.
The larger stations always survived better simply because it cost to much to meddle around with them.I agree with you about tacky PVC at Donabate. It is a similar story with Howth signal cabin. Has anyone seen the interior of the footbridge at Dunalk station? It would make one vomit. It has been painted with the colours used in the new “COMMUTER” livery as applied to the railcars. It a repeat of the nonsense of the 1980’s when CIÉ painted the platform 5 facade in Connolly in DART green.
Yes!
I still can’t belive this is staying – I thought it was an undercoat for about two weeks!
Its truly, truly unbeliveable – not least considering the station is otherwise painted with an elegant deep green.For those curious about railways in the Clontarf area I will fill them in this.
I will start with the bridge over East Wall Road which has been constructed with an extra third (depot approach) track, as well as the running lines and headshunt. When the Dublin and Drogheda Railway was constructed in the 1840s, a stone arch bridge was built over East Wall Road. It was blown up in 1923 during the Civil War. The replacement lattice girder bridge was washed away in a flood in 1954. A reinforced concrete bridge replaced this and was widened with advent of DART. Immediately north of this is the Dublin Port Tunnel. There is a middle single arch bridge approximately where the platforms used by DART drivers are. It is difficult to locate this bridge as the area around it has been filled in. Just north of Clontarf Road station is the Skew Bridge, a famous local landmark. It is also quite a remarkable piece of engineering. Early in the twentieth century the sea went under the arch nearest Clontarf Road station, the other arch accommoding the road with a tramline. I imagine that the Middle Arch and East Wall Road bridges were carbon copies of the Skew Bridge. The next underbridge after this is Howth Road. Immediately north of this bridge, where there are signals on either side of the line was Clontarf [GNR(I)] station. As I have metioned before, the gate piers for access to this station are still there at road level, with the GNR(I) polychrome brick dwelling on the Up side.
At Killester there was a typical GNR(I) signal cabin, just south of Collins Avenue overbridge.
Other buildings of railway/tram interest in this suburb is Clontarf Bus Garage, formerly the tramsheds. The tramsheds are still there though converted for bus use. These originally had a redbrick facade with typical decorative Victorian brickwork. I understand that CIÉ covered over this with a 1970s brick facade. At the back of the tramsheds are cottages built for tram workers with typical Victorian “railway” architecture. The tramline opened in 1898 and closed in 1941.
I note from an RPSI e-mail that it is proposed to reopen Dunleer and open a new station at Newfoundwell/ Drogheda. It mentions nothing about Castlebellingham.
Graham, I that the above will be of interest.
There’s only a totally over-grown platform left at Castlebelligham, not even any buildings, very spooky to see it now – hardly noticable.
Dunleer is very much intact – I too heard of its proposed re-opening – esp with that disgusting rezoning decision made recently for the area.
There’s also a new station to be built just before Howth Junction I think, just on the outskirts of the city – there’s a massive housing dev planned for around it. There’s signs up along the track for commuters to see.
The new station north of Howth Junction is provisionally referred to as Grange Road which will be at milepost 5 3/4. It will have four platforms and have a track layout similar to Belfast Central (an architectural disaster of the 1970s). I understand that Bayside on the Howth branch, long a haunt for local guerriers will be rebuilt under the DASH plan.
Four platforms? But there’s only 1 line! Do they still want to branch to the airport from this line? I live quite close, so any other details would be appreciated.
I recently read an article about the new development — dubbed “Stapolin Village” — in this area. Apparently, the chief planner is some Swedish guy who’s been kind enough to leave a large portion of it as coastal parks and open spaces, as well as medium density, medium rise apartments and offices.
Regarding Grange Road station it will be an integrated transport terminal. It will be possible to change onto bus (but not tram) and it will have a taxi rank.
Regarding bridges on this line the pedestrian overbridge at Killbarrack with the spiralling “sliproad like” approaches featured in some 2000 edition of the “Irish Architect”. It is also worth noting that this bridge can accommoate quadruple track, like Collins Avenue and Brookwood Avenue overbridges.
Like this bridge, very architectural.
Which is more than can be said for the housing around it – I think red and brick are the only words necessary to evoke the standard shudders.
Graham,
Sorry to return to the original point after the discussion has moved on. But the reason for the confusion at Dundalk is possibly down to the following.
Railways in Ireland developed organically, for example a Dublin Belfast railway was not built, but rather a Dublin-Drogheda and a Belfast-Armagh. In the intervening decades these lines linked up.
At a certain unknown time Dundalk became the rail hub for its region (coincidentaly recognized in the award of its current gateway Status) with a branch lines serving the entire North East including places such as Monaghan Cavan and onward connections to Armagh and Mid-Ulster.
For this reason a simple two platform station at the midpoint of its existing line was insufficient. As it was also a major junction in the same way that Crewe still is in the UK.
As these lines are now closed it is a grander station than would be required today.
Very true – and of course Greenore was a major port in the 19th century, and a holiday destination for the Edwardians, and was also served by the station.
Its fantastic today then that the largest town in the country has such a befitting station – contrasting markedly with Drogheda’s situation.So True
It is interesting that you mention Greenore, as it was Irelands first containerised port back in the early 1960’s. It is unfortunate that this branch line was closed prior to the unions in Dublin refusing to implement this then new technology.Perhaps the Dundalk area could have taken on the freight functions that went to Larne over the next three decades.
There is one detail about Dundalk Clark which I find to be of interest. Immediately south of the Carrickmacross Road bridge on the Down side there is a limestone retaining wall with a line of two courses of the GNR(I)’s famous trademark yellow brick. This wall has coping stones and is a typical railway structure. There is the same detail on the former Hill of Howth tramline next to Howth railway station. These yellow bricks follow an imaginary line which would be the same as the level of a bridge deck. This type of feature occurs a lot on railway structures, especially those built in the Victorian era. Could anyone enlighten me on this?
I just found this article, it seems that this board isn’t the only place where the station is appreciated:
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/general_news.asp?action=view&news_id=40
WESTPORT DOES A ‘LORD OF THE RINGS’
AT STATION AWARDS!
Women Station Managers dominate InterCity category
Westport Station achieved an unprecedented hat-trick in the twelfth annual Waterford Wedgwood-sponsored Iarnród Éireann Best Station Awards today. The County Mayo station was named Best Overall Station on the Iarnród Éireann network, and also collected the prestigious Heritage Award, along with Best InterCity Station. The awards took place at Dublinia in Christchurch today, and were presented by Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan TD.
The Waterford Wedgwood Iarnród Éireann Best Station Awards reward excellence in customer facilities, cleanliness, innovation and customer service in the country’s 134 railway stations, with Westport scoring highly in all categories.
Westport Station Manager Ann Elliott proudly collected two magnificent Waterford Crystal sculptures for the station, of an Iarnród Éireann locomotive as part of the prize for winning the Best Overall Station title, and of the Steam Locomotive Maedhbh for the Heritage Award, a title awarded to the Station which makes a major contribution to the preservation of the railway’s unique heritage. Ann had her arms full as she also collected a Wedgwood Bone China pieces specially designed for these awards for winning Best Intercity Station.
The judges were fulsome in their praise for the station team in Westport, saying the staff at Westport had shown the “ hard work, dedication and attention to detail that is necessary to capture this award.” Adding that the station overall was “a fine example of excellence”. For the Heritage Award, Westport was singled out as station staff led by Ann researched and gathered artefacts and photographs on the old Achill line, building an impressive museum facility within the former waiting room which served the Achill trains.
Ann was also part of a unique achievement by woman Station Managers in the Best InterCity Station category. With Westport winning the category, Ann Breslin of Tullamore collected the runner-up prize, with third place going to Athlone, managed by Margaret Larkin.
In other awards, Dundalk Station picked up the award for Best Major Station for the second year running. The station also received second prize for the Heritage Award, which they won last year. Dundalk Stationmaster Brendan McQuaid, who accepted the awards, represented the station. Best DART Station went to Grand Canal Dock with Jonathan Keely on hand to receive the award.
Skerries continued their domination of the Best Suburban Halt, receiving that award for an incredible eighth year in a row. Nicky Martin, Haltkeeper of Skerries Station received the prestigious award. Skerries record is unmatched in the awards, and reflects its high standards as a station. Also in the commuter area, Hazelhatch and Celbridge was presented with Best Unmanned Halt, collected by Patricia Bermingham, who looks after the station.
Westport wasn’t the only Mayo station to excel – Claremorris received the Community Involvement award for the involvement of the local Gael Scoil in producing wonderful murals and Dolores Keaveney was presented with the award. Castlebar was named Best InterCity Halt for the seventh year in a row, and Noel Hoban made the familiar walk to receive the award.
Arklow won this year’s Innovation Award. This is a highly competitive category and is a great achievement for the station. The station impressed the judges with the clear information, notices of services and facilities available in the station. John Redmond and Tommy Nolan accepted the award. Mullingar Station picked up the award for the Best Floral Display. Frank Harkin, Station Manager of Mullingar picked up the award for the station.
Finally, Boyle Station won the Best Staff Effort award, collected by Station Manager PJ Browne in his retirement year. A longtime standard bearer at these awards, it was fitting that PJ marked his swansong with yet another win, after 50 years dedicated service.
MAJOR STATIONS
First Prize – Dundalk
Second Prize – Drogheda
Most Improved – Galway
INTERCITY STATIONS
First Prize – Westport
Second Prize – Tullamore
Third Prize – Athlone
Most Improved – Ennis
INTERCITY HALTS
First Prize – Louis Mongan Award – Castlebar
Second Prize – Ballymote
Third Prize – Athenry
Most Improved – Ballybrophy
DART STATIONS
First Prize – Grand Canal Dock
Second Prize – Sandymount
Third Prize – Booterstown
Most Improved – Howth Junction
SUBURBAN HALTS
First Prize – Skerries
Second Prize – Drumcondra
Most Improved – Leixlip Louisa Bridge
UNMANNED HALTS
First Prize – HazelhatchSecond Prize – Collooney
Third Prize – Cahir
Most Improved – Kilcock
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – Claremorris
BEST STAFF EFFORT – Boyle
INNOVATION – Arklow
MARY LINEHAN FLORAL DISPLAY – Mullingar
HERITAGE AWARDS
Winner – WestportRunner-Up – Dundalk
BEST STATION OVERALL – WESTPORT
Best Unmanned Halt Hazelhatch, pipping Collooney to the post? I disagree. Collooney would get my vote any day (I use Hazelhatch to get to and from work).
It does look a little windswept alright
@Graham Hickey wrote:
Its fantastic today then that the largest town in the country has such a befitting station – contrasting markedly with Drogheda’s situation.
Pedant’s corner returns – Drogheda is bigger than Dundalk (by population) Dundalk just happens to get the goodies more (something to do with the government TD’s being located there?!?!)
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