PUBLIC TRANSPORT

All Photographs Supplied By William Murphy

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A HISTORIC STATION CONNECTING THE PAST WITH THE PRESENT

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CARLOW TRAIN STATION

Carlow Train Station: A Historic Hub Connecting Past and Present

Carlow Train Station, situated in the heart of Carlow Town, is a vital transport link and a landmark steeped in history. The station first opened its doors in 1846, as part of the Great Southern and Western Railway’s expansion, ushering in an era of improved connectivity for the region.

Over the decades, Carlow Station has witnessed significant transformations. The original station building, a charming example of Victorian architecture, has been lovingly preserved and now houses the station’s ticket office and waiting area. The station’s platforms and facilities have also been modernised to meet the demands of 21st-century travel.

Today, Carlow Station serves as a key stop on the Dublin-Waterford intercity route, connecting the town to major cities and facilitating both commuter and leisure travel. It’s also a popular gateway for exploring the scenic beauty of County Carlow and its surroundings.

The station’s popularity remains strong, with thousands of passengers passing through its doors each year. Its central location, convenient access to local amenities, and regular train services make it an attractive option for both residents and visitors.

Whether you’re embarking on a journey to Dublin, Waterford, or simply exploring the delights of Carlow Town, Carlow Train Station is a welcoming and well-connected transport hub. It stands as a testament to the enduring importance of rail travel in Ireland and the ongoing efforts to enhance passenger experience and connectivity throughout the country.

TODAY I GOT THE 26 BUS AND EXPLORED LUCAN ROAD

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CHAPELIZOD ON THE SOUTH BANK OF THE RIVER LIFFEY

VISIT CHAPELIZOD
VISIT PALMERSTOWN VILLAGE

Exploring Chapelizod and the Origins of “Lucalizod”

I recently took the 26 bus to Chapelizod, a village on the south bank of the River Liffey. My route took me along Lucan Road, the R112 slip road, the Chapelizod Bypass, and eventually Old Lucan Road, ending in beautiful Waterstown Public Park.

The “Lucalizod” Connection

A few weeks ago, I overheard someone say “Lucalizod” on the bus and dismissed it as a mispronunciation of the energy drink Lucozade. However, I later discovered a fascinating connection: James Joyce merged the names of Lucan and Chapelizod into “Lucalizod” within his novel Finnegans Wake.

A Bit About Lucan

Let’s sidetrack for a moment to learn about Lucan. This suburban town in County Dublin lies 12 km west of Dublin’s centre, nestled along the River Liffey. Famous for the Strawberry Beds, Lucan Weir, and the River Griffeen, it straddles South Dublin with parts extending into Fingal. Lucan is easily accessible from the N4 and M50 motorway (Junction 7).

History of Lucan

Lucan’s popularity soared after a sulphurous spa was discovered in 1758. It quickly became a trendy weekend getaway from Dublin, leading to significant development. By 1795, the area boasted a ballroom and hotel. Much of Lucan village dates back to a major redevelopment around 1815. Lucan was even once a terminus of the Dublin city tram line serving both Lucan and Leixlip.

Lucozade Explained

Speaking of mispronunciations, Lucozade is a British soft drink and energy drink brand now owned by Suntory. Originally called “Glucozade”, it was created in 1927 as an energy drink for those feeling unwell and was primarily sold through pharmacies. Its classic slogan, “Lucozade aids recovery”, lingers from this era. In the 1980s, it became popular as a sports drink and is now widely available throughout the UK.

ASHTOWN TRAIN STATION ON THE ROYAL CANAL

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PHOTOGRAPHED USING A ZEISS BATIS 135mm LENS

I tried to take advantage of the unusual lighting and multiple reflecting surfaces at the railway station and the fact that I had a Zeiss Batis 135mm lens which compressed the view.

The Dublin-Sligo railway passes through the area and it is served by Ashtown railway station, which opened on 1 August 1902. Stopping at Ashtown is the Western Commuter service, which runs frequently between Maynooth and Pearse Station in the city centre. The area is also served by the 120 Dublin Bus route, which terminates at the railway station, and by the 37, 38, 39 and 70 routes, which pass nearby on the Navan Road.

The Broombridge LUAS Green Line station (adjacent to the railway station) opened in December 2017. A new railway station, called Pelletstown, was opened in September 2021, lying between Broombridge and Ashtown stations.

ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE GOOGLE BUILDING ON GRAND CANAL STREET

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DUBLINBIKES DOCKING STATION 14

Google employees will be able to cycle to and from work as there is a DublinBikes docking station across the street from their workplace.

I have not visited this area for a few years and today I was surprised to discover that the Treasury Building is currently a construction site.

When I returned from California in the 1980s I lived at the corner of Eblana Villas and Lower Grand Canal Street and at the time the building was the Hertz HQ in Ireland. There were three apartments but mine was the only one that was occupied. I think that the building is now named Wentworth House and it may have been home to a language college. I was offered all three apartments at a very good price but decided against buying as there was serious anti-social activity in the immediate area.

Google bought the Treasury Building from Ronan Group Real Estate for €120 million in early 2020 to further expand their Silicon Docks campus which is nearby. In February 2022 Dublin City Council granted planning permission to Google Ireland to increase the height of the building from six to eight storeys.

The Treasury Building was the headquarters of the Irish government’s National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) for many years. Redeveloped by Ronan Group, the Treasury Building was described as a landmark six-storey Grade A office building that previously housed Boland’s Bakery. This historic building was occupied by Éamon de Valera, later President of Ireland, during the 1916 Easter Rising.

Following its purchase in 1984, a major redevelopment saw the building stripped back to its concrete framed structure and reimagined for a new commercial future with the first 20,000 sq ft floorplates ever delivered in the Irish market.

Rowan Gillespie was commissioned to create a sculpture for the outside wall of the building. The statue, named ‘Aspiration’, was originally of a naked man climbing the outside wall, but Johnny Ronan insisted that the sculpture be changed to a woman. The statue was made of fibreglass. The sculpture was removed in 2020 when the building was sold.

THE BEST STATION IF YOU PLAN THE VISIT DUN LAOGHAIRE WEST PIER

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SALTHILL AND MONKSTOWN

Salthill and Monkstown railway station is a DART station in Dún Laoghaire. It is situated between Seapoint and Dún Laoghaire DART stations. The station has a car park, ticket office, automated ticket and vending machines, and is wheelchair accessible.

The original Salthill station opened in May 1837, built by the Dublin and Kingstown Railway. It closed in 1960 and was electrified and reopened in 1984 with the arrival of DART services.