Clontarf Road Archives - PUBLIC TRANSPORT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM MURPHY

Clontarf Garage is more than just a place where buses park overnight. It’s a landmark with a rich history intertwined with the development of public transport in Dublin.

Here’s what I’ve found about Clontarf Garage:

Early beginnings: The garage was originally built as a tram depot in the late 19th century (between 1870 and 1880, according to the Buildings of Ireland records). This was during the era of horse-drawn trams, and the building would have housed and serviced these early forms of public transport.

Electrification and modernisation: With the electrification of the tram lines in the late 1890s and early 1900s, Clontarf Garage would have undergone modifications to accommodate the new electric trams. This likely included the installation of electrical infrastructure, such as the transformer we discussed elsewhere [also featured in one of this set of images].

Transition to buses: As trams gradually gave way to buses in the mid-20th century, the garage transitioned into its current role as a bus depot. It continues to serve as an important hub for Dublin Bus operations today.

Architectural significance: Clontarf Garage is a listed building, recognised for its historical and architectural significance. It stands as a reminder of the evolution of public transport in Dublin and the city’s industrial heritage.

Key features and facts:

Officially named “Dublin Bus Clontarf Garage”
Located at 239-243 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3
Registered with the Buildings of Ireland (Reg No. 50030113)
Serves as a depot for Dublin Bus, housing and maintaining buses
Historically significant as a former tram depot
Beyond the practical: Clontarf Garage is more than just a functional building. It’s a landmark in the local community and a symbol of how transport has shaped the development of Clontarf. It’s also a place where generations of Dublin Bus drivers and staff have worked, contributing to the city’s transport network.

ON CLONTARF ROAD AND IT IS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE THAT I HAVE SEEN IN DUBLIN

THE ANNIE LEE BRIDGE FOLLY IS NEARBY

I was lucky as I arrived at this stop just ahead of a really heavy shower of rain. While I was there two large dogs arrived and remained in a section of the shelter until the rain ceased.

This is described as an island bus stop as a cycle track runs between the footpath and the bus stop waiting area and shelter creating, a pedestrian island at the bus stop that is segregated from the footpath. This design resolves the conflicts associated with in-line bus stops, that is, the conflicts between buses and cyclists on the roadway, and the conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians at the bus stop. However, island bus stops create a potential conflict area on the cycle track behind the bus waiting area, where pedestrians need to cross the cycle track when moving to or from the bus stop.

Clontarf Road

CLONTARF GARAGE 2017 LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION

BUS SHELTER 1725 AT DOYLE’S LANE