175 years of railways in Galway

August 2026 is the 175th Anniversary of the arrival of the railway in Galway city. Recently redeveloped so as to be ready for the next 175 years, let’s take a look at the history of railways in Galway to date.

The beginning of railways in Galway

The Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) commenced construction of a railway from Dublin to Galway in 1846, with the first stage, that between Dublin and Enfield, opening in May 1847, with Mullingar being reached the following year. The Great Southern & Western Railway (GSWR), which at the time was constructing the line from Dublin to Cork, also had its sights on reaching Galway via a branch from Portarlington. Thus began what was known as ‘the race to Athlone’. Ultimately, this was won by the MGWR, who reached Athlone in 1851. The GSWR would abandon notions of reaching Galway, although their Athlone branch was completed in 1859. Galway was ultimately reached in the summer of 1851, officially opening on 1st August. Situated at Eyre Square, the station is perhaps the most conveniently located of any Irish city. As built, it featured two platforms under the overall roof, with a locomotive depot located to the right as you arrive from Dublin. Galway also had extensive goods facilities, including a branch to the docks. The building itself was designed by John Mulvaney. A railway hotel was opened in 1852.

The approach to Galway is quite impressive, with the railway crossing Lough Atalia via a long girder bridge.

Services expand

In its early days, Galway station was principally a terminus for trains to and from Dublin. However, as time went on, the range of destinations served would expand. Down the line at Athenry, the opening of lines to Ennis/Limerick and Claremorris/Sligo effectively gave Galway passengers connections to these locations. In 1895, the MGWR opened a line from Galway to Clifden. This was reached by a junction, facing Dublin, just before Galway station itself. As a result, trains departing for Clifden had to reverse out of the station before proceeding along the branch (and vice versa for trains arriving from Clifden).

The GSR era and rationalisation

In November 1924, the MGWR merged with the GSWR and Cork, Bandon & South Coast Railway to form the Great Southern Railway (GSR). This would become the Great Southern Railways (plural) in 1925, with the Dublin South Eastern Railway and several narrow gauge lines becoming part of the amalgamation. Prevailing economic conditions meant that the GSR was forced to undertake rationalisation throughout its network. For Galway, this meant removal of the second platform and the singling of much of the double track, with only Dublin to Clonsilla being left as such. (Double track had existed from Dublin to Ballinasloe, Attymon Junction to Athenry and Oranmore to Galway). The line to Clifden was closed in 1935, after a mere 40 years of use. However, it was not all austerity, for the GSR introduced a Pullman car service on some Galway services for a period. In 1945, the GSR merged with the Dublin United Tramways Company (DUTC) to form Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ).

Galway under CIÉ

The CIÉ era would gradually see services to Galway modernised. Diesel railcars started appearing in the early 1950s, followed by new diesel locomotives and carriages. In 1961, CIÉ would open a (new) second platform, although located on the opposite face of the existing one rather than rebuilding that closed by the GSR. In 1966, Galway station was named Ceannt Station after 1916 Rising leader, Éamonn Ceannt, as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the rebellion.

While much of the rail network would contract throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Galway and its mainline remained an important part of the CIÉ network. The 1980s would see a change in routing, with Dublin-Galway services switching to the former GSWR route via Portarlington and Athlone before joining the MGWR mainline. The original section between Dublin and Mullingar remains in use for Sligo line trains, with the Mullingar-Athlone section now forming a greenway.

The 21st century and a rail renaissance

In March 2010, after years of campaigning, the line between Athenry and Ennis reopened to passenger traffic. This would see Galway station become the terminus for trains to Limerick. Services and passenger numbers on the Iarnród Éireann network continued to grow throughout the 2010s. An extensive development programme for Galway station was announced, with three additional platforms being added and the station totally refurbished as part of a €24 million development. This opened in the summer of 2026. Other future developments include the redoubling of the line between Galway and Oranmore, and the return of services on the Tuam and Athenry line, which will see Ireland’s western terminus become busier than ever. It is exciting to think of what Galway’s rail service will be like by the time its 200th Anniversary is reached in 2051.