I found this link on Youtube, which is a video of a test train running on the Connemara Railway track at Maam Cross station in Co. Galway (located on the former Galway to Clifden line which closed in 1935).
The group behind the restoration have a website, but it is more of a running commentary than containing any overriding vision.
RTE is reporting that work is to commence on an extension to the Waterford Greenway – at the Waterford City end of same.
This will extend the Greenway from Bilberry to Waterford City. Unfortunately, this will not re-use the former Suir railway bridge, which remains derelict and out of use.
The Irish Times (soft paywall) reports that planning permission will be sought in 2022 for a pumped storage power station at the former Silvermines complex in Co. Tipperary.
The proposed development (the 2nd pumped storage station in Ireland if built) has a website for the project – https://silvermineshydro.ie/.
Many media outlets (including the DonegalDaily.com site) have reported that Sir Gerry Robinson has passed away.
Sir Gerry was a businessman and TV presenter as well as a well known railway enthusiast. To this extent, he built a narrow gauge railway in the grounds of his residence (Oakfield Park) in Co. Donegal, which is open to the public.
Industrialheritageireland.info has moved.
No longer living in beautiful Ballyfermot, I am now residing in Kilcock.
The BBC has a video article about the revival of glass production in Co. Tyrone.
Per RTE, the original footbridge which inspired A. A. Milne to include the concept of Poohsticks in his Winnie the Pooh books, is up for sale by auction.
The bridge was located in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex and was dismantled and put in storage, due to having been worn down by visitors, with a replacement bridge installed.
The auction takes place on October 5th with an expected sale price of £40-60k.
It is not often that I comment about trains on this site, not having an interest in them per se.
However, some train news is worthy of publicity and this includes this post on the County Donegal Railway Museum’s site that the former CDRJC steam engine Drumboe is being returned to Donegal Town on Saturday 9th October 2021.
I reported previously about Pelletstown Station opening, which took place today.
RTE reported on it, as part of an overall article about the Metro for Dublin being delayed (again!). They included the following line, which they attributed to Jim Meade, CEO of Irish Rail:
“Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade said it is hoped that the station will be electrified for future DART use.”
I genuinely hope he did not state this as it would show a fundamental lack of understanding of how railway electrification on a line, using overhead line electrification, works.
The Irish Independent has a nice video feature about The Tin Church in Laragh, Co. Monaghan (roughly halfway between Carrickmacross and Castleblayney) and its saving by the local community.
The IH link is that the church was built by a local mill owner, allegedly as a declaration of love.