Plaque unveiled at Kilkenny Railway Station to mark 175th anniversary of rail here

A specially commissioned bronze plaque has been unveiled in Kilkenny to mark 175 years of the railway station.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick and Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald were joined by local dignitaries and rail workers at MacDonagh Station today to mark the milestone in the history of the railway here.

The full story of the station was recently recalled in the Kilkenny People by Donie Butler. The line was constructed by the Waterford and Kilkenny Railway Company and it opened on May 12, 1848. The 10.75mile section track extended from Kilkenny to Thomastown, with an interim station at Bennett’s Bridge, which closed on 1st January, 1963. The line extended to Waterford in 1854.

In 1850 the Great Southern and Western Company extended the line from Bagnalstown to Kilkenny, which connected the people of Kilkenny to Dublin via rail for the first time.

At a time when private car usage was limited, the railway gave the opportunity for people with modest means to experience a day trip to Waterford or Dublin, but it also provided transport to schools and employment for people, who otherwise would have had to cycle long distances.

The station was renamed after Thomas MacDonagh, one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising to mark 50 years since the Rising in 1966. To mark the centenary of the Rising in 2016, a special event was held at the station to commemorate Thomas MacDonagh and members of his family attended.

Services to and from Kilkenny remain busy to this day. The station is serviced by 14 services a day, popular with both regular commuters and those taking more occasion trips for leisure or business purposes.

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick said: “Today, as we stand here to mark this milestone anniversary, we celebrate not only the history of this station but also the enduring legacy it has created. This plaque will serve as a lasting reminder of the vital role that Kilkenny Railway Station has played in our City’s history and will inspire future generations to continue to build upon its legacy.”

Cllr Fitzpatrick recalled happy memories of All-Ireland winning Kilkenny teams arriving back to the train station with the Liam MacCarthy Cup held aloft.

Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald said he was delighted to unveil the plaque to mark the important milestone. He said with climate change in mind, it was perhaps the cusp of a new dawn for rail travel, and there was a case for strengthening Kilkenny's rail services with the addition of high speed and electric trains in the future.

"The role of MacDonagh Station in the social and economic life of Kilkenny has been transformative over generations," he said

"I hope to see new hourly high speed train services being established in the years ahead to link Dublin and the South East.”

The mayor also called on the owners of the former, now-disused railway building to restore it and bring it to some kind of use.

Station Manager for MacDonagh Station, Kieran Kelly, said railways connect communities and that is exactly what the arrival of the railway to Kilkenny did.

"It gave people the opportunity to travel to work or school in an easier way and gave people the transport option to explore new places. Today, the railway continues to serve the city and its hinterland and provides safe and sustainable travel for all,” he said.