Site Description
The infamous Keady Tunnel never saw a train run through it, being built under the short lived Keady to Castleblayney railway line (1910-1923). The reason for its existence was the Ulster and Connaught Light Railway - a madcap scheme to build a narrow gauge railway from Greenore, Co. Louth, to Clifden Co. Galway, via Newry, Bessbrook, Keady, Tynan, Maguiresbridge, Bawnboy Road, Dromod, Rooskey, Tuam and Cong to Clifden. Some of this network would use existing railways but the most significant section from Dromod to Clifden would be entirely new. As this line was authorised around the same time as the line from Castleblayney to Armagh, the builders of the latter had to accommodate the proposal with a bridge under their line at Keady. As the U&CLR never came into existence, the tunnel has never had a train run through it.Photographs
Photo Gallery - Keady Tunnel
Google Street View - Keady Tunnel
National Museums of Northern Ireland - Keady Tunnel with Keady signal cabin (Link checked 19062024)
Links
Chronological Details
Geographical Details
| Section Start | Section Finish | Distance | Units | Milepost | Measured from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castleblayney | Armagh | 10 | Miles | 10 | Castleblayney Station |