Steam Trains in Ireland

Want to do something different, during your trip to Ireland? Follow the advice of your fellow DFA, Heiner Schuster:

This morning my son and I took a steam train ride. Besides the bad weather, it was still a great deal of fun!

Well, here is some history. Ireland's first railway was opened in December 1834, between Dublin and Kingstown (now called Dun Laoghaire). The Dublin terminus occupied part of what is now Pearse Station. The journey that we travelled today was the first original rail line west from Dublin to Enfield, Co. Kildare. The line was not extended until 1847 where it connected Mullingar. The ultimate destination was to be Galway, but it was not reached until December 1891.

This old steamer is still in service for pleasure rides ten times a year. They have a pub in one of those old cars, as well as food, which is served doing the trip. They advertise in the Irish Times of future trips.

Related Links:

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (Site has a bookings form)

The Steam Museum, Co. Kildare

- Photo and text by fellow DFA Heiner Schuster, lately of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

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