David Chambers
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Regarding the canopy with Manisty columns on platforms 6 and 7 in Dublin Connolly, there are some photos in railway books. Check out books by the author Michael H. C. Baker. In shots of Connolly Station, the original canopy can be seen. The fact that it co-existed with diesel trains proves that it was removed in 1983. Belturbet Station in Co. Cavan (http://www.belturbet-station.com) has Manisty brackets in the same style as the columns. These can be seen supporting the canopy at the entrance to the station building. Also of interest is Laytown station which has a footbridge of this style and most likely produced by Manisty. Manisty’s Foundry also produced footbridges for other companies. In Banteer there is a footbridge similar in style to the Hornby model railway footbridge. Banteer was on the GS&WR system.
If you look at the base of the Manisty columns in Dundalk Clark station the name “Manisty” is visible.
In June Iarnród Éireann lodged a planning application to remove five bays from the canopy on platform 5 in Connolly and re-erect same on the southbound platform in Dún Laoghaire. This is part of the DASH uprading work. The application may be viewed at the Dublin City Council office in Wood Quay. It has a report from building conservationists.
I hope the above is of interest.
It is interesting that this contributor mentions the cast iron columns at Dundalk (Clark) station. These columns are Manisty columns, produced by Manisty’s Foundry in Dundalk. These columns, together with brackets of the same style were a standard element of GNR(I) station architecture. It is well noted that these columns are the same as on platform 5 in Dublin Connolly (and in Howth). There was also a canopy with these columns on platforms 6 and 7 until CIÉ decided to erect a hideous canopy with “A” frame shaped members around 1983. In photographs of GNR(I) stations these columns are a consistent feature of same. Omagh, Banbridge, Clones and Goraghwood to name a few had these columns, interestingly set out on a regular grid pattern. On the platform of Dundalk station is the preserved Dundalk Central signal cabin (minus its brick base -why?) with its lever frame. A plate on one of the levers
reads “…Manisty’s siding”.One feature of Dundalk Clark which fascinates me is the polychrome brick. This station was one of the many buildings designed for the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) by its chief civil engineer/architect, William Hamiliton Mills.
