Lombardstown Railway Station

Locals waving at a passing train at Lombardstown Railway Station. Photo courtesy of Michael Deady, Lombardstown.

The 1700’s to the early 1800’s was the era of the canals and they sprung up in most countries that were becoming industrialised. Ireland got a number built in that period but Cork only got one unfinished public canal the one between Lombardstown and Mallow, the remains of which are very visible today.

The invention of steam power and the development of the railway system of transport signalled the end of the canal building programme. The first railway in Ireland was built from Dublin to Dunlaoghaire in 1834 and the Dublin to Cork line was completed in 1849. The branch line to Killarney, v1853ia Lombardstown, opened in 1853.

Railway Construction

The construction of this branch line was of tremendous benefit to local workers, craftsmen, and hauliers, creating about 1,000 jobs so soon after the devastation of the Great Famine. After completion about ten permanent jobs were created at the station, for staff, gatekeepers signal men and lines men. The three staff houses built at the station practically doubled the population of the area, Lombardstown was not a village then and experts often wonder how a railway station was ever built there but it had a few advantages.

• It was beside an important river ford over the Blackwater.
• it was near the main Mallow to Killarney road.
• There were three corn mills in the locality.
• It also helped that there were a number of significant estates in the area.
• Most important of all – it was about half way between Mallow and Banteer and the railway company were obliged, by law, to fit in another station in that 12 mile stretch.

Light metal gates were used initially but these were changed to heavy timber ones as horses would bolt when steam was released at a level crossing and would break through the light ones. At Lombardstown, a major debate ensued whether to build a bridge over the road or to install gates which would cost the employment of full time gatekeepers. It was decided to use gates but the road on both sides had to be significantly trunked up to meet the level from the Mallow side and this raising of the road is very evident now as also is that fine bridge over the nearby Douglas River.

Benefits to the Locality

The arrival of the station was a tremendous boost to the people of the area. It provided cheap transport to Mallow and Cork, to sea sides and sporting occasions and access to more markets. It was also a significant boost to sporting organisations. When the local creamery opened in 1891 the railway station was very influential in facilitating its expansion through the movement of goods too and fro. By providing carriages, stock pens and ramps for loading animals, it contributed greatly to the weekly market started up by the creamery in 1917 as it facilitated buyers from all over Munster to trade in Lombardstown which still has a right to hold a market in the village.

Noteable Passengers

Some notable passengers passed through the station during its lifetime and a few stand out.

• Queen Victoria on her visit to Killarney in 1861
• Sir Roger Casement on his way for trial in Dublin on Easter Saturday 22nd April 1916. This incident resulted in the British Army sending two lorry loads of troops to encircle Lombardstown and its environs in a ring of steel as they considered this to be a likely location for a rescue attempt. No one could get into or out of the area for the two hours prior to the trains passing that morning which caused grave hardship to farmers and shoppers.
• Another notable passenger, to many a Corkmans grief, was the Sam Maguire Cup on its way to Kerry.

A picture of the devastation following the railway crash in August 1912. Photo courtesy of Warwick University Library.

Fatal Train Crash

Lombardstown railway station made international news on 5th August 1912 when a fatal train crash occurred at the station. An excursion party of about 250 holidaymakers from the Manchester area of England booked into a cheap holiday to Ireland for the August bank holiday weekend. They travelled overnight by train and boat to Dublin where an excursion train was booked to bring them to Killarney which was now a famous holiday destination following Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861.

Workers assessing the damage following the crash of August 1912. Photo courtesy of Irish Railway Records Society.

They toured the area and boarded the train on Sunday evening to return to Dublin. They slept in the trains and on the boats to minimise costs. As the train approached Lombardstown the regular train from Mallow had arrived and was stopped on the main line a kilometre on the Mallow side but the excursion train driver expected his train to have right of way as it was non stop to Dublin. The signal man saw the train approaching at speed, having passed the stop sign further back, and had no option but to divert it into the siding to avoid a head on collision. The train was going at full speed and jumped the rails as it sharply turned into the siding and crashed into an embankment.

Lombardstown Railway Station following the crash. Photo courtesy of Irish Railway Records Society.

The first carriage disintegrated into splinters but, luckily, it was half empty as the lighting was very poor. The second carriage was hoisted into the air and passengers were thrown about like rag dolls. 90 passengers were injured, many seriously, and one man died as a result. In the compensation claims afterwards a firm of solicitors in Dublin, F. Gifford and Sons, got involved and most people are aware of Grace Gifford who married Joseph Mary Plunkett in Kilmainham jail before his execution and Grace was a member of that solicitor family, an interesting connection with Lombardstown .

Lombardstown Community Council erected a monument beside the old station in 2012 to mark the centenary of this unfortunate incident.

Picture of the monument erected for the commemoration of the Lombardstown Railway Crash in 2012. Photo courtesy of Donie O Sullivan

Picture of the large attendance at the commemoration of the Lombardstown Railway Crash in 2012. Photo courtesy of Donie O Sullivan

The photo of the general area of the station is interesting as it shows the station as it was in 1912. Lighting was provided by gas lamps and the milk churns were of the original type manufactured for milk delivery to creameries. The ticket office, waiting rooms and station masters dwelling are on the right. The goods store can be seen in the distance, a goods carriage is parked nearby while some derailed carriages are on the left

1916-1923 War Period

The station and railway escaped during the 1916 Rising but did suffer some damage during The War of Independence, however, much damage was done during the Civil War with bridges blown up, telegraph poles and wires cut. The signal cabin and rails were also damaged in a series of attacks.

The station was of strategic importance to the local IRA Company in getting mail in and out and even a Hotchkiss machine gun was smuggled in to them on a train. It was advantageous to have a porter at the station also who was an IRA activist.

Closure

As cars and lorries became popular modes of transport the traffic through small rural railway stations declined significantly and on 9th September 1963 the last train stopped at Lombardstown. Over staffing was a major drain on finances and instead of tackling the issues Irish Rail decided to close down stations and small branch lines. Staff were moved to other local stations and one gatekeeper was retained. Ireland today, has only half of the magnificent railway system built while under British rule. The bridges built back then are monuments to engineering expertise and a credit to the masons and workers who built them.