History
In 1893, Midland and Great Western Railways decided to extend the Westport-Newport line to Achill and construction began that year. The last section of the line, Mulranny - Achill Sound, was not opened until May 13th of 1895, although the first train to run on the tracks ran a year earlier, carrying the bodies of the Clew Bay Disaster.
Marketing
Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland Tourism Ad Circa 1900
Notice in the Mayo News Saturday May 11th 1895.
"On Monday next, the M.G.W.R. open the railway extension to Achill and the event will mark a new era in the history of that out of the way island.There is little doubt that the value of all kinds of stock raised by the poor people will be considerably increased by being thus placed in touch with the outer world and the line will also be availed of by tourists in search of secluded and healthful resort in which to spend their summer holidays.It is hoped the M.G.W.R. will frequent Sunday excursions to the island"
Connaught Telegraph of 18th May 1895:
"THE NEW RAILWAY TO ACHILL - OPENING OF THE EXTENSION LINE FROM MULRANNEY: The opening of the above line will be agreeable news for pleasure seekeres as it affoards tourists and excursionists opportunities, hitherto unavailable, for spending a holiday amid the seaboard scenery of Mayo, washed by the Atlantic". It goes on to say, later in the passage;"It should surely interest touristss from England, the Continent and America to see and study the Irish of these Atlantic Islands as they really are, and not as they are described by people who have only the most cursoary accquaintance with their lives, charachter or habits. They are hospitable in the extreme, courteous and attentives to strangers and never weary of showing them civility."
An advert offered in the Mayo News of June 15th 1895 stated that there was to be excursion from Castlerea to Achill on Sunday 23rd . It was to leave Castlerea at 3a.m. At the cost of 7 shillings first class and 4 shillings 3rd class arriving in Westport at 9.57 and in Achill at 11.10. Price from Westport to Achill was 3/6 first class and 2/- 3rd class .
"On Monday next, the M.G.W.R. open the railway extension to Achill and the event will mark a new era in the history of that out of the way island.There is little doubt that the value of all kinds of stock raised by the poor people will be considerably increased by being thus placed in touch with the outer world and the line will also be availed of by tourists in search of secluded and healthful resort in which to spend their summer holidays.It is hoped the M.G.W.R. will frequent Sunday excursions to the island"
Connaught Telegraph of 18th May 1895:
"THE NEW RAILWAY TO ACHILL - OPENING OF THE EXTENSION LINE FROM MULRANNEY: The opening of the above line will be agreeable news for pleasure seekeres as it affoards tourists and excursionists opportunities, hitherto unavailable, for spending a holiday amid the seaboard scenery of Mayo, washed by the Atlantic". It goes on to say, later in the passage;"It should surely interest touristss from England, the Continent and America to see and study the Irish of these Atlantic Islands as they really are, and not as they are described by people who have only the most cursoary accquaintance with their lives, charachter or habits. They are hospitable in the extreme, courteous and attentives to strangers and never weary of showing them civility."
An advert offered in the Mayo News of June 15th 1895 stated that there was to be excursion from Castlerea to Achill on Sunday 23rd . It was to leave Castlerea at 3a.m. At the cost of 7 shillings first class and 4 shillings 3rd class arriving in Westport at 9.57 and in Achill at 11.10. Price from Westport to Achill was 3/6 first class and 2/- 3rd class .
Closure
In the 1930s, as the roads improved and cars became more common, trains became less popular, and Midland Great Western Railways began to discuss closing down the Westport - Achill line.
In 1924 the Railways Act passed by the Oireachtas of the Irish Free State merged the MGWR with the other railway operators, the Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) and the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway, to form the Great Southern Railway, and in 1925 these were joined by the Dublin and South Eastern Railway to form the Great Southern Railways.
The GSR Managed Achill Staion from 1925.
In 1934 the passenger service was closed, although it was reopened temporarily 1936 while road repairs were in progress. Freight trains continued to run until 1937. In 1937, when the Kirkintilloch Disaster claimed 10 Achill victims, train again took the bodies' home.
Achill railway closed in 1934, but was re-opened after a period during which only a freight train ran. The reason it was re-opened was because the local road was as yet unsuitable for the replacement bus - but this was rectified after a while and the whole line shut down for good, the last trains running on Thursday 30th September 1937.
In 1924 the Railways Act passed by the Oireachtas of the Irish Free State merged the MGWR with the other railway operators, the Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) and the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway, to form the Great Southern Railway, and in 1925 these were joined by the Dublin and South Eastern Railway to form the Great Southern Railways.
The GSR Managed Achill Staion from 1925.
In 1934 the passenger service was closed, although it was reopened temporarily 1936 while road repairs were in progress. Freight trains continued to run until 1937. In 1937, when the Kirkintilloch Disaster claimed 10 Achill victims, train again took the bodies' home.
Achill railway closed in 1934, but was re-opened after a period during which only a freight train ran. The reason it was re-opened was because the local road was as yet unsuitable for the replacement bus - but this was rectified after a while and the whole line shut down for good, the last trains running on Thursday 30th September 1937.