Tracks of the past a treat for film audience
There was a capacity attendance at Newcastle West Library last Friday night to view archival films which recalled the railway era in Munster of half a century ago.
The show was staged to celebrate the extension of the Great Southern Trail, the walkway along the bed of the old railway between Limerick and Kerry.
The two hour programme of nostalgia was presented by Liam Mooney from the Irish Railway Record Society, Dublin.
The presentation included clips from West Cork, West Clare, Newmarket, Castleisland, Fenit and other locations where the railway is now but a distant memory.
Highlights of the night included the unforgettable last steam train making its ascent of Barnagh bank, between Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale, to pass the highest rail point in Ireland.
Although many of the old lines have disappeared from the landscape happily the Limerick-Tralee route is an exception," said Liam O'Mahony of the Great Southern Trail.
"It remains in CIE ownership and, through the efforts of the Great Southern Trail and its partners, 17 miles of it, from Ardagh to Abbeyfeale, is now available to the public for walking and cycling.
"The GST is delighted to have been able to host such an enjoyable night's entertainment and is very appreciative of the support of librarian Aileen Dillane and her staff; in particular Pat Galvin who had everything in readiness on the night," said Mr O'Mahony.
"This annual commemorative event is organised with the railway families particularly in mind. Therefore it was great to have in the audience a lady whose great grandfather had worked in Newcastle West when the then Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII, passed through on the Royal Train from Killarney to Dublin in 1885
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Weather for Limerick
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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