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 The Carlow Railway

By James Westman

Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729) was born at Dartmouth. He devised an atmospheric steam engine or “fire engine. “It was patented in 1705 and used for pumping water from mines.

James Watt was born at Greenock, on the Clyde on the 19th January, 1736.

While repairing a model of Newcomen’s steam engine in 1764, he devised an exterior condenser to eliminate the loss of power involved in the engine. This was patented in 1769. Matthew Boulton was born in Birmingham in 1728. He financed James Watt’s steam engine and entered into partnership with him in 1775. They manufactured their engines near Birmingham.

George Stephenson was born in the colliery village of Wylam, near Newcastle-on-Tyne on the 9th June, 1781. He first became an engine-wright at Killingworth Colliery and here built his first locomotive in 18 14. He also invented a safety lamp in 1815. He was appointed an engineer of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first public railway, in 1821.

The Stockton and Darlington line opened on the 27th September, 1825. The 7 ton (Locomotion, 1) could pull 48 tons at a speed of 15 miles per hour. It was driven on the occasion by George Stephenson.

So, in the above named we have the pioneers of steam power and the steam engine, Ireland’s first rail line was opened on the 17th December, 1834, between Dublin and Kingstown (Dun Laoghaire), a distance of 6½ miles.

The Gauge of this line was initially 4 ft. 8 ins., but this was later changed to the standard 5 ft. 3 ins. of the present day. In the 1840s the laying of rail line really got going and by 1853 there were 840 route miles of railway open in Ireland.

The line to Carlow was first opened to the public on Tuesday, the 4th August.1846. The route from Kingsbridge, Dublin being — Clondalkin, Lucan, Hszelhatch & Celbridge, Sallins, Newbridge, Kildare, Athy, Maganey. The distance was 56½ miles.

The Freeman’s Journal, Wednesday, August 5, 1846, reports as follows:

Great Southern & Western Railway

The train trips on this splendid line have commenced and a train leaves Dublin for Carlow at nine in the morning and another at five in the afternoon. The line was first opened regularly to the public on yesterday, and the carriages of all classes were densely crowded with passengers, thus giving early evidence of the vast traffic which is likely to accrue on the line when in full and perfect operation.

The train proceeded through Clondalkin, Inchicore, Hazelhatch, Sallins, Newbridge, Kildare, Athy and on to Carlow, conveying a delighted assemblage through some of the most pleasing scenery in Ireland. The arrangements at the different stations to secure the comfort and convenience of the passengers were the theme of general praise. On the day previous a select party went by train to the Curragh where a dejeuner was prepared. The party consisted of Sir J. McNeil], J. Fagan, P. D. Latouche, Esq., George Carr, Esq., Deputy Governor, George Roe, Esq., Mr. Brooke, Governor of the Bank of Ireland, Messrs. McCormack & Dargan, the contractors, Mr. H. Connolly, the Hon. Mr. Lawless, the Chairman of the Paris & Rouen Railway, the Chairman of the Orleans Railway, and several other gentlemen.

This company awaits but the completion of the carriage orders to increase the number of trains, and then bring into extensive operation a line of railroad which bids fair to be second to none even in the sister kingdom.

The Dublin Weekly Register of 8^th August, 1846, describes the trip of the previous Monday:—

The train consisting of two first class carriages, with a luggage van, left the Inchicore Station at 12 h. 20 m. and after a most agreeable run, in which the steady and admirably constructed character of the line was fully tested, arrived in Carlow at 3 h. 10 m. There was no effort at high speed —- merely sufficient to prove the line, and allow the visitors to enjoy the picturesque tableland through which the line passed. We may remark that the crops look most promising, and in various places the harvest gathering has commenced under most favourable auspices. The heavy rains which have recently fallen appear to have done no damage, except to the light oat crop. After an entertainment, conducted in a style of splendid hospitality, the company returned to town, much pleased.

The directors with a laudable desire to accommodate the public, were induced “to open the line on account of the Carlow Races, which commenced on the 4th, although owing to many circumstances, over which they had no control, their arrangements will only permit them to run two trains down and up for the present.” 26 Again, the Freeman’s Journal, of 5^th August, page 3, reports:-— Carlow Races Tuesday, 4th August; Stewards — Richard Pierce Butler, Horace Rochfort, John Newton, Lorenzo Alexander and Hugh Faulkner, Esqrs. Thomas Whelan, Esq., Treasurer; Mr. T. Connor, Registrar; Mr. James Daly, Judge.

This annual meeting commenced yesterday, and the railway having been opened to the public, the attendance was exceedingly large. The course, which is situated at Ballybar, about three miles distant from Carlow, is the same that has been run over for some years past and it was in excellent order. The stand-house has undergone considerable alterations and improvements, a new wing having been added to each side; it was crowded by a highly fashionable assemblage of spectators. The arrangements were all excellent and the course well kept, the racing was not, however, so good as we have been in the habit of witnessing there. Tullow, Co. Carlow, was served by a branch from the main line at Sallins, 171/z miles from Dublin. It went through Naas, Harristown, Dunlavin, Colbinstown, Grangecon, Baltinglass, Rathvilly and terminated at Tullow. It was opened as far as Colbinstown on 22nd June, 1885, the full 24½ miles to Baltinglass were opened on 1st September of same year. The remaining 10½ miles, the Tullow extension, followed on 1st June, 1886. The Tullow branch lost its passenger service in 1947 and was closed entirely in 1959.Following Carlow, the first 10 miles to Muinebeag, via Milford, were opened on 24th July, 1848. From here a branch line was extended to Kilkenny which opened on 14th November, 1850.

Closely associated with the construction of the line to Carlow at this time and indeed for over fifty years afterwards was one Samuel Snoddy. Samuel Snoddy was born about the year 1803 in Ballymena, Co. Antrim. He came to Carlow, as an overseer on the railway in 1846, and settled about a mile and a half outside the town, in townland of Quinagh. He married a Miss Murphy from Carlow. His son, Patrick Snoddy, was father of late Mrs. Purcell, wife of Patrick Purcell, Quinagh. It is interesting to know that when Samuel Snoddy finally terminated his work with the railway in 1903, he was almost 100 years of age. He topped the century afterwards by roughly three years and died in 1906.

 Source: Carloviana Vol 2. No.26. 1977/78. Page 26.

Extracts from:

“The Opening of G.S. and W. Railway to Carlow”

Once again in swift motion we dashed through the bogs,

Where the rail it is surely laid down upon logs;

This dreary scene over Athy soon appears.

Each station we came to received us with cheers,

And 'twas here that a crowd met our eyes to be sure,

Who thought for a shilling, good berths to secure,

At the end of the run a fine dinner to get,

But they were not to make just such SPOONS of us yet.

Thus for all this great throng that were so well inclined,

To join in the fun, everyone staid behind!

They looked daggers, tis true, and they flund down their cards,

To “Call us all out," but “No go” said the guards.

So we past them like birds, midst their groans, shouts and cheers,

And we had not gone long when Mageney appears,

Like minuted magic we fly past that place,

To come on a landscape of grandeur and grace.

On, through scenes ever changing, yet beauteous each view,

By Carlow lads loved, yet to strangers so new,

In this valley of meetings are mingled in peace,

With the Barrow, the waters of the Burn, Lirr and Greece.

Each beauty increased till 'twas like one demesne,

From the bounds of the county to “near the Green Lane;"

The Barrow flowed nobly, the boats stole along,

While the engine stole us through the midst of a throng.

Then our welcome from town, by the gallant gay crowd,

Was like Carlow boys ever, uproariously loud;

But we sat down to dine, a delighted, gay throng,

And the joys of the day found a rest in the song.

Quoted in “Ierne," 1861.

Source: Carloviana Vol. 1. No.6. 1957 Page 38

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