Accomodating Racegoers

Timetable down train from Dublin

Extract from the Carlow Sentinel 1846 shows timetable for the down train from Dublin to Carlow.

Carlow County Library

Timetable down train from Dublin
Carlow County Library

Timetable down train from Dublin

Extract from the Carlow Sentinel 1846 shows timetable for the down train from Dublin to Carlow.

Carlow County Library

Enlarge image

The Power of Persuasion!

The railway line to Carlow was opened ahead of schedule to accommodate racegoers. A number of local gentlemen requested the Board of the Great Southern and Western Railway to ensure that racegoers could get to the races near Carlow by rail.

A communication reached the office of the "Carlow Sentinel" on August 1st 1846 to the effect that the Board of Trade had sanctioned the opening of the railway line. The Great Southern and Western Railway announced that two trains would run from Dublin each day at 9am during the races. The return trains would depart Carlow station at 5pm. First and second class carriages would be provided. It was estimated that 760 persons would be accommodated on each train. The journey time would take three hours.

Trains for The Races

The Great Southern and Western Railway (Ireland) gave notice that on and after Tuesday, August 4th, 1846, two passenger trains would leave Dublin for Carlow. The trains would also serve intermediate stations. The train would depart Dublin at 9am and 5pm and the return service from Carlow station was scheduled for 9.30am and 5pm.

Trains for Races

An extract from the Carlow Sentinel 1 Aug 1846 stating that two trains will be running from Dublin to Carlow each day to accommodate the Carlow Races.

Carlow County Library

Trains for Races
Carlow County Library

Trains for Races

An extract from the Carlow Sentinel 1 Aug 1846 stating that two trains will be running from Dublin to Carlow each day to accommodate the Carlow Races.

Carlow County Library

Enlarge image

The rail service as announced, duly opened on August 4th 1846. The demand for passenger places was so great that more than five hundred persons could not travel to the races. These people could not gain admission because the contract for the carriage department was not finally completed.

By the second day of operation the trains arrived punctually at Carlow. Passengers spoke of "a delightful trip" with nature at its best - "golden harvests ready for the sickle" and glimpses of a "Silvery Barrow" river. The officers were defined to be remarkable for their "civility and obliging attention to every one". The mail arrived daily to the departing train with punctuality. The "Fair Traveller" or Carlow Coach continued to convey passengers between Carlow and Kilkenny.

It was the commonly held opinion that the railway had given "an impulse to industry and enterprise" and early indications of "increasing civilization and improvement".