Category: History

In 1862, the Dublin & Meath Railway opened their line from Clonsilla, Co. Dublin to Navan, Co. Meath – their station in the latter being located to the south of the railway from Navan to Oldcastle, which was a separate company.

At the Dublin end of the line (Clonsilla), the company had their own locomotive shed, located in the apex of their line and the MGWR mainline to Galway/Sligo.

This building was later converted for use as accommodation for railway staff, but has been derelict for decades and overgrown with plant life.

When out volunteer litter picking on the Royal Canal today, I noticed that the side of the building facing the modern era M3 Parkway branch has been cleared of vegetation, exposing it to public view once more.

I hope that this is not a prelude to demolition of the building.

RTE have an interesting video clip about a 1977 robbery of mail vans in Sligo whilst leaving Sligo train station. One of the vans was crashed into a mine adit in Arigna and the contents searched for valuables outside the mine.

Another of the buildings featured in RTE’s 100 Buildings series is worth linking to – Derrinlough Briquette Factory in Co. Offaly.

The BBC have an article on their website in connection with the historic production of poitin on the Inishowen Peninsula.

The Mourne Wall in Co. Down is a wall delineating the catchment area of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs.

It is 100 years old this year and the BBC have a short video clip marking this occasion.

RTE have an interesting article on their site about raids on Irish lighthouses during the Civil War. As a subject that doesn’t immediately spring to mind, they are to be commended for giving this research an audience.

The RTE website has a short (22 second) clip, showing the dismantling of Parnell Bridge in Cork City in 1968.