THE YEAR 2008

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I DISCOVERED MALLIN TRAIN STATION

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WHEN I VISITED DUN LAOGHAIRE IN 2008

During my 2008 visit to Dún Laoghaire, an American tourist’s question about “Malin Station” led me on an unexpected discovery. Having lived near Malin Head in Donegal, I knew there was no station there. After clarifying they wanted to reach Tara Street, I directed them to Dún Laoghaire train station.

Later, on the station’s rarely used back platform, I noticed a sign reading “Dún Laoghaire/Mallin.” The following day, I asked colleagues from Dún Laoghaire about Mallin Station, but none were aware, despite using the station daily.

A recent inquiry (July 2024) revealed that Dún Laoghaire Station was officially renamed Dún Laoghaire/Mallin in 1966 to honour Michael Mallin, a 1916 Easter Rising leader. However, the dual name wasn’t widely publicised in subsequent years.

Reviewing my 2008 photographs of Dún Laoghaire, I was struck by the derelict Carlisle Pier, a prominent feature yet to be demolished. In 2008, Dún Laoghaire was a bustling coastal town with a rich maritime history, though showing signs of needing revitalisation.

The Carlisle Pier’s decline began in the 1980s with the ferry service’s cessation, followed by the railway line’s closure in 1980 due to platform incompatibility. Its historical significance couldn’t save it from demolition in 2009, a decision driven by safety concerns, dilapidation, and harbour redevelopment plans. The controversial demolition aimed to create a car park and promenade, aligning with the town’s changing needs.

The 2008 economic crisis significantly impacted Dún Laoghaire, like much of Ireland. Redevelopment projects stalled, businesses suffered, and unemployment rose. The crisis intensified the need for urban renewal and highlighted coastal towns’ challenges in adapting to shifting economic landscapes.