West Clare Railway, Heritage narrow-gauge railway in West Clare, Ireland
The West Clare Railway is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge line that ran from Ennis to Kilrush and Kilkee until 1961. At Moyasta Junction station, a preservation society runs a museum and a heritage line. A black steam locomotive with a green cab and side tanks stands coupled to a green carriage.
The West Clare Railway was authorised by the West Clare Railway Order 1884, confirmed by the Tramways (Ireland) Provisional Order (West Clare Railway) Confirmation Act 1884. Charles Stewart Parnell cut the first sod at Milltown Malbay on 26 January 1885, and the 43.4 km line from Ennis opened on 2 July 1887. The South Clare Railway extension to Kilrush and Kilkee, authorised in 1890, opened on 11 May 1892. The company was merged into the Great Southern Railways in 1925 and closed in 1961.
The railway system transformed local commerce by facilitating cattle trade in the Burren area and connecting rural communities throughout County Clare.
The site sits on Ireland's western coast and allows visitors to walk through and examine the preserved locomotives and coaches. Plan enough time to explore the different machines and passenger areas on display.
Steam locomotive Number 5 Slieve Callan returned to service in 2009 after extensive restoration work. This achievement represented the first time steam trains operated on this railway in over five decades.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,775 contributors worldwide.
