Then & Now: Remembering those days of steel and steam in Limerick

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4, was the 60th anniversary of the last regular passenger train to travel from Limerick to Tralee. The four small stations of Kilmorna, Devon Road, Barnagh and Ardagh closed permanently that evening in February 2, 1963. The four larger stations survived for freight and occasional passenger trains until Abbeyfeale , Newcastle West, and Rathkeale closed in 1975 and Listowel in 1977.

The arrival of the railway must have been a very exciting time in Ireland, and Limerick city was connected to the system in 1848. It brought places closer together and made travel easier and more comfortable for people. Limerick to Tralee, our local train was connected in three stages from 1858 to 1880.

The Limerick to Foynes Railway via Ballingrane, commenced business in 1858. From Ballingrane to Newcastle West, (1- miles) was opened on January 1, 1867. The last stage from Newcastle West to Tralee (43 miles) was opened on December 20, 1880.

At its peak four passenger trains, and one goods train, operated daily from and back to Limerick. It was a hive of activity with goods, and passengers, being carried in large numbers from Limerick to Tralee. All the goods and merchandise for the shops, and the farming community came by rail. The business provided employment, at the smaller stations along the route as goods, had to be loaded and unloaded. The postal service also came this way bringing welcome news, parcels and money from abroad.

The movement of cattle, and livestock by rail was huge, and it brought additional buyers to the fairs. The August fair in Newcastle West in 1916 saw over 90 wagons of cattle and sheep transported from the town, to locations around the country. The sights and sounds from those far off days, are just a distant memory now for the elder generation.

If Walls Could Talk: A Lady of true dedication to public service in Limerick

The Railway Station in Limerick is named after Con Colbert, who was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. He was born on October 19, 1888 in Monaleena, Castlemahon, and was brought up in Athea. He was a member of Na Fianna Eireann, the Irish Volunteers, and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He commanded the forces at Watkin’s brewery, and Jameson’s distillery during the Easter Rising. Con faced the firing squad at Kilmainham Gaol on May 8, 1916 aged 27 years. The Limerick station was named after him, on April 10, 1966.

I made only two journeys by train from Newcastle Railway Station, both in 1974, and they were specials, to the All-Ireland Hurling Final, which saw Kilkenny defeat Limerick, and to devotions in Knock. The train took huge numbers of people, from their home place, to foreign destinations during the history of the railway age. It was a mixture of sad and joyful occasions, and many never returned to their native place. People were lost in Wars, and died in accidents, and some decided to settle elsewhere.

This brings to mind the song The Vales of New Dirreen, which has been made famous by Donie Lyons, from Dromreask, Glin. The song tells of a romance between a labourer, and a farmer’s daughter, in Athea, and it has a sad ending. The farm labourer was John Downey, and the farmer with whom he worked had an only daughter. By all accounts, she was a beautiful girl. Her father would not hear of a marriage, between the pair, who was deeply in love. He forced her to emigrate, and John Downey followed her. When he traced her, she was dead. She pined away and died of a broken heart. John Downey composed the song. The Vales of New Dirreen. I include the final verse.

So now I must end my few pen lines,
In case I might be late,
The morning train from Ardagh leaves,
At twenty-five past eight.
So, God be with you, Ireland,
You’re my starlight ocean Queen,
And a fond farewell to all who dwell,
In the Vales of New Dirreen.

The shrill sound of the whistle, to a station was also greeted with jubilation, as returning people stepped off the platform. They included those returning after many years working abroad, and long forgotten relatives. The joy on people’s faces often had to be seen, to be believed and all due to the train, and the smoke along the track.

The Limerick to Tralee route included the following stops, Patrickswell, Kilgobbin, Adare, Ballingrane, Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh, Devon Road, Abbeyfeale, Kilmorna, Listowel, Lixnaw, Abbeydorney, and Ardfert. In 1937 a first class ticket from Limerick to Abbeyfeale cost seven shillings and nine pence, with a return ticket costing thirteen shillings and seven pence. A third class ticket for the same journey cost five shillings and two pence, with a return ticket costing nine shillings and one penny.

The railway age started to decline following the Emergency (1939-45) and operations began to be scaled down. The prospects for the future became bleak and in 1963 passenger services were withdrawn, apart from the occasional special. CIE withdrew passenger services from Limerick to Foynes and Tralee, with the last train running on February 2, 1963.

In 1972 goods trains stopped running through to Tralee, and the closure of the track, was just around the bend. The last train entered Newcastle West, with one wagon of cement, on October 31, 1975. The freight services were withdrawn on the Listowel to Tralee, section of the line, on January 10, 1977. The line remained in place, and unused with grass, briars, and brambles growing along it for the following ten years.

In January 1988 the lifting of the track commenced and other uses for the line began to emerge. The suggestions included a caravan trail, and a walkway, and research was undertook by Shannon Development. SUSTRANS of Bristol, England did a major study, and recommended the construction of the Great Southern Trail. It is understood that Shannon Development did not have the resources required to continue the project, and Limerick and Kerry County Councils didn't push ahead with it.
The Great Southern Trail Action Group was formed at a public meeting in Newcastle West, in July 4, 1991, to preserve the railway line. With public support and funding, they put an excellent amenity in place, for the general public to enjoy. From Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale people could walk, jog, run, or cycle, the 22 mile route, in a safe roadway, with no fear of being hit by oncoming traffic.

It has been an amazing success story to date, and all due to the determination, and commitment of all involved( led by Liam O’Mahony, from Newcastle West) in putting the trail in place. They then handed the running of the trail over to Limerick Council whose funding and work has led to the present Limerick Greenway. In recent months it has been extended into Listowel.

The Great Southern Trail Ltd has been commemorating the first Saturday in February for the past 20 years with various events. Many people took the opportunity to travel it again last weekend. The last train may have departed but thanks to the foresight of the Great Southern Trail members who kept the route open we can all avail of the facilities now in place.