Youtube directed me towards this short video on the Dublin City Libraries YouTube channel about the Iveagh Trust Buildings in Dublin.
Although dating from 2009, it is as relevant today as it was then.
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End of the line for peat
The writing has been on the wall for some time for peat extraction in Ireland and Bord na Mona has now confirmed that peat harvesting has ceased. This also brings to an end the operation of the extensive narrow gauge railway network that BNM operated across the Midlands which included many level crossings and bridges.
The days of trains through Kylemore Lock in Galway are also over.
RTE Archives have an historical report from 1965 about the old bridge between Cork and Waterford east of Youghal.
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Pot Still to move to Cork
The Times (paywall) reports that Jameson have received permission from Dublin City Council (conditional on Cork County Council consenting) to move an historic pot still from their distillery site in Dublin to that in Cork.
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Clones Level Crossing
Whilst searching on Google for something else, I was given this link to Hansard (record of the Houses of Parliament in the UK) which is a question about the level crossing at Clones railway station, allegedly from 1950.
Clearly this is wrong as the UK Board of Trade would have had zero authority over a level crossing in the Republic of Ireland at that date.
Update – I have found a listing of the Presidents of the Board of Trade and based on the information therein and the reference in the link above to Mr. Ritchie holding that title, the date range for this query is 29 June 1895 to 7 November 1900, being the period that Mr. Ritchie held that position.
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Not worth it
Found this railway property for sale on Daft.ie – €130k for a burnt out shell of a former stationmaster’s house on a railway line with no services. It is an offer I can happily refuse.
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The shit train
TalkRadio have a segment about a niche idea for a train powered by shit. (technically it is the methane from the shit but why miss the opportunity for a headline!).
I could see the usefulness of such small trains for lightly used services out of Limerick – the question would have to be does Limerick generate enough shit to keep a railway network running?
The Donegal News reports on a meeting held between representatives of a campaign group calling itself “Into the West” and Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Transport, to advocate for a restoration of railway lines into Donegal.
Much as I support the encouragement of rail travel and the development of existing/new routes to do so, methinks that this group is on a hiding to nothing on this one. The only railways in Donegal for the forseeable future will be that at Fintown and Sir Gerry Robinson’s private line.
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Iveagh Markets – a new twist
The Iveagh Markets in Dublin 8 have been an on/off story over the last few years, due to proposals to re-develop the site by a publican/property developer.
Due to the failure of same to actually carry out the proposals, Dublin City Council re-took possession of the Iveagh Markets and legal action ensued.
There has now been a new twist in the saga – when the Iveagh Markets were transferred to Dublin Corporation (as it was then) shortly after its completion, a reverter clause was included which required the building to be used as a market for locals in the area.
Lord Iveagh activated the reverter clause earlier this week and has re-taken possession of the building and had new locks applied.
I came upon an entry in the NIAH database for 10 Euston Street, Greenore, which included the following statement:
” Built for the workers of the Great Northern Railway, which was completed in 1873″.
As the site includes an option to email suggested amendments, I did so, pointing out that the houses were built for the Dundalk Newry and Greenore Railway. I received the following response:
” Our records suggest that the workers’ houses on the east side of Euston Street were completed in 1872, which, strictly speaking, means that they were built by the Dundalk and Greenore Railway (D&GR) Company. The company was renamed a year later to include Newry in the title. “
Point taken and in fairness to the NIAH, they have advised that they will be amending the record in due course to remove reference to the Great Northern Railway.