Restoration of roof at Limerick port village's old railway station to take place

THE REDEVELOPMENT and re-opening of the railway station at Foynes is continuing apace, with the facility’s roof set to be restored in the coming weeks.

Irish Rail confirmed the news, after an eagle-eyed railway enthusiast sent photographs of the supplies being delivered to facilitate the development.

Foynes railway station closed to passenger traffic back in 1963, and it was last used for freight trains in the year 2000.
It had fallen into disrepair since.

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But as part of a multi-million euro programme, the State railway company is restoring access to the Limerick to Foynes line, which will also include Mungret, Patrickswell, Adare and Askeaton.

Below: A picture of the materials being used to deliver the roof

Ostensibly, it will be for freight traffic, but there are hopes that when the Ryder Cup takes place at Adare Manor, passenger services will be able to operate to transport visitors, who may use the Port of Foynes to arrive in Ireland, across to Adare by rail.

The Irish Rail spokesperson said: “Work will begin on the restoration of the roof at Foynes Station within the coming weeks. Supplies have been delivered.”

The railway enthusiast who captured the pictures of the delivery of supplies to Foynes pointed out the original roof at the station was made of pine.

“This one is made of cedar. It looks like it’s going to last a long time,” he added.

The project to re-open the 42km-long Limerick to Foynes line is costing a total of €151.5m.

Working alongside the Shannon Foynes Port Company and lead contractor Sisk, Irish Rail has said it hopes the line will provide a frequent, reliable and sustainable logistics option for firms which currently use Foynes Port - or indeed will do so in the future.

The removal of all the original rail line infrastructure has taken place, alongside a renewal and relaying of the track, sleepers and track bed.

Elsewhere on the line, bridges across the River Maigue near Adare and the River Deel in Askeaton have been removed, restored and reinstated.

Thirteen level crossings are in place, while new drainage routes have been installed.

It’s hoped next year, the line will come into operation.

Specialist in-house teams will deliver the signalling and telecoms infrastructure to allow trains to operate.