Momentous day as last Bord na Mona train switches off engine in Offaly

There was a momentous day recently as the last Bord na Mona train switched off its engine in Offaly

Friday, March 29 at 10.46am saw the very last Bord na Móna peat train switch off its engine.

This took place at Bellair, Ballycumber. Ted McAvoy, who was present, sent this photo taken in front of the tippler with a 68 year old locomotive in the background.

In the picture, left to right, are: Joe Clancy, Noel Flynn, Brendan (Benny) Lally, Johnny Carr, Ronnie Deegan, (lorry driver from NI), Mark Seery and Pat Watkins.

“The peat trains and the bogs themselves were a huge part of Offaly life for many years and were still going full blast as recently as 2019. Now they’re history,” commented Ted.