Dublin Connolly railway station
Encyclopedia
Dublin Connolly, commonly called Connolly station , is one of the main railway stations in Dublin, Ireland
, and is a focal point in the Irish route network
. Opened in 1844 as Amiens Street Station, the ornate facade has a distinctive Italianate
tower at its centre. Situated on the north side
of the River Liffey
, it provides intercity and commuter services
to the north, northwest and southeast of the island. The north-south Dublin Area Rapid Transit
(DART) service also passes through the station. The station offices serve as the headquarters of the Irish Rail firm Iarnród Éireann
.
Company as Dublin Station, but was renamed ten years later as Amiens Street Station after the street on which it is located. Originally the station served only a single mainline to Drogheda
, and only in 1853 did through services to Belfast
commence. In 1891, the City of Dublin Junction Railway connected the station with Westland Row Station (now Pearse Station) on the city's south side
. The C of D Jctn was a separate station known as Amiens St Junction and consisted of the present platforms 5, 6, and 7 (currently used by the DART) with a separate street entrance. After the amalgamation of the GNR (I) at the end of the 1950s this station became part of the overall Amiens St and the separate entrance fell into disuse. The C of D Jctn Rly allowed services to run from Amiens St., through to Westland Row, and onwards to Rosslare
and the Southeast. Services to Sligo
were transferred to Westland Row (Pearse Stn) operating through the station non-stop in 1937, with the closure of Broadstone Station by CIÉ
(see also MGWR
). Services to Galway
and Mayo
also originated/terminated at Westland Row, operating through Connolly Station after 1937, running via Mullingar
and Athlone. This was discontinued in the 1970s in favour of running services out of Heuston Station on the better quality Cork line. Passenger running between Mullingar/Athlone ceased completely in 1987. During the 1960s, Sunday trains to Cork, Limerick and Waterford operated from Connolly platforms 5, 6 & 7 (running through the Phoenix Park tunnel) to avoid the cost of opening Heuston (Kingsbridge) for the limited Sunday traffic demand at that time.
In 1941 the station took a direct hit
from a German bomb.
In 1966, the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising
, the station's name was changed to Connolly Station after Irish revolutionary and socialist James Connolly
. At the same time, several other main stations in the Republic were renamed after patriots executed for their roles in the Rising.
At the commencement of DART services in 1984, the C of D Jctn Rly entrance was refurbished and reopened for commuter traffic.
During the late 1990s, Connolly Station was completely renovated and partially rebuilt. An entirely new station hall was built, the roof over Platforms 1-4 was replaced, and a new bar/cafe and shops were installed. The former DART/Suburban station entrance (C of D Jctn Rly entrance) and the secondary station hall built with the DART (further north on Amiens St) were again closed, but a new entrance on the International Financial Services Centre
side was opened. In 2004, the Luas
Red Line (to Tallaght
) began serving the station. As part of the preparation for this, the ramp, which had been a bus terminus, was demolished and replaced with a 2-platform tram station connected to the main concourse by escalators and lift.
There are three Intercity routes served:
Suburban services run on the same routes, as far as Drogheda
, Dundalk
, Maynooth
and Gorey
or Enniscorthy
. The aforementioned DART service uses some of the platforms equipped with overhead electrics (Platforms 5, 6, and 7). Terminal platform 4 is also electrified, although electric trains rarely use it.
station has provided an alternative terminus for the Western Commuter line to Mullingar
. It is planned that these services will form the basis for the planned line to Dunboyne
and Navan
. IÉ plan to retain Docklands
station as a terminus for services from Pace. Docklands will be just across the road from the proposed Spencer Dock station on the Interconnector
which will divert DART services from the north away from Connolly, further increasing capacity.
tram system. Rail links also exist connecting the two stations passing through a tunnel under the Phoenix Park
. Passenger services seldom use this section, with its main purpose being the transfer of rolling stock
and locomotive
s (the main service depot for Iarnród Éireann is at Inchicore
, just outside Heuston).
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is a focal point in the Irish route network
Rail transport in Ireland
Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
. Opened in 1844 as Amiens Street Station, the ornate facade has a distinctive Italianate
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
tower at its centre. Situated on the north side
Northside (Dublin)
The Northside is the area in County Dublin, Ireland bounded to the south by the River Liffey to the east by Dublin Bay, to the north and west by the boundaries of County Dublin.- Introduction :...
of the River Liffey
River Liffey
The Liffey is a river in Ireland, which flows through the centre of Dublin. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac. The river supplies much of Dublin's water, and a range of recreational opportunities.-Name:The river was previously named An Ruirthech,...
, it provides intercity and commuter services
Regional rail
Commuter rail, also called suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates between a city center, and the middle to outer suburbs beyond 15km and commuter towns or other locations that draw large numbers of commuters—people who travel on a daily basis...
to the north, northwest and southeast of the island. The north-south Dublin Area Rapid Transit
Dublin Area Rapid Transit
The Dublin Area Rapid Transit is part of the suburban railway network in Ireland, running mainly along the coastline of Dublin Bay on the Trans-Dublin route, from Greystones in County Wicklow, through Dublin to Howth and Malahide in County Dublin.Trains are powered via a 1500V DC overhead catenary...
(DART) service also passes through the station. The station offices serve as the headquarters of the Irish Rail firm Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
.
History
The station was opened on 29 November 1844 by the Dublin and Drogheda RailwayDublin and Drogheda Railway
Dublin and Drogheda Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The D&D constructed the railway line between Dublin and Drogheda. The company presented the scheme to parliament in 1836 and received royal assent on 13 August 1836. John MacNeill was appointed as the line's engineer in...
Company as Dublin Station, but was renamed ten years later as Amiens Street Station after the street on which it is located. Originally the station served only a single mainline to Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, and only in 1853 did through services to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
commence. In 1891, the City of Dublin Junction Railway connected the station with Westland Row Station (now Pearse Station) on the city's south side
Southside (Dublin)
The Southside is not an official administrative area but a colloquial term referring to the area of County Dublin bounded to the north by the River Liffey to the east by Dublin Bay, to the south and west by the boundaries of County Dublin...
. The C of D Jctn was a separate station known as Amiens St Junction and consisted of the present platforms 5, 6, and 7 (currently used by the DART) with a separate street entrance. After the amalgamation of the GNR (I) at the end of the 1950s this station became part of the overall Amiens St and the separate entrance fell into disuse. The C of D Jctn Rly allowed services to run from Amiens St., through to Westland Row, and onwards to Rosslare
Rosslare
The name Rosslare may refer to:*Rosslare Strand, a village in County Wexford, Ireland* Rosslare Harbour, a village in County Wexford, Ireland*The Rosslare Europort at Rosslare Harbour...
and the Southeast. Services to Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
were transferred to Westland Row (Pearse Stn) operating through the station non-stop in 1937, with the closure of Broadstone Station by CIÉ
CIE
-Organizations:* Cambridge International Examinations, an international examination board* Cleveland Institute of Electronics, a private technical and engineering educational institution — the International Commission on Illumination...
(see also MGWR
Midland Great Western Railway
The Midland Great Western Railway was the third largest Irish gauge railway company in Ireland. It was incorporated in 1845 and absorbed into the Great Southern Railway in 1924. It served part of Leinster, County Cavan in Ulster and much of Connaught...
). Services to Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
and Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
also originated/terminated at Westland Row, operating through Connolly Station after 1937, running via Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
and Athlone. This was discontinued in the 1970s in favour of running services out of Heuston Station on the better quality Cork line. Passenger running between Mullingar/Athlone ceased completely in 1987. During the 1960s, Sunday trains to Cork, Limerick and Waterford operated from Connolly platforms 5, 6 & 7 (running through the Phoenix Park tunnel) to avoid the cost of opening Heuston (Kingsbridge) for the limited Sunday traffic demand at that time.
In 1941 the station took a direct hit
Bombing of Dublin in World War II
The first bombing of neutral Ireland during World War II took place on 26 August 1940, when the German Air Force dropped bombs at Campile, County Wexford killing three people. The first bombing of the city of Dublin occurred early on the morning of 2 January 1941 when German bombs were dropped...
from a German bomb.
In 1966, the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
, the station's name was changed to Connolly Station after Irish revolutionary and socialist James Connolly
James Connolly
James Connolly was an Irish republican and socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents and spoke with a Scottish accent throughout his life. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of...
. At the same time, several other main stations in the Republic were renamed after patriots executed for their roles in the Rising.
At the commencement of DART services in 1984, the C of D Jctn Rly entrance was refurbished and reopened for commuter traffic.
During the late 1990s, Connolly Station was completely renovated and partially rebuilt. An entirely new station hall was built, the roof over Platforms 1-4 was replaced, and a new bar/cafe and shops were installed. The former DART/Suburban station entrance (C of D Jctn Rly entrance) and the secondary station hall built with the DART (further north on Amiens St) were again closed, but a new entrance on the International Financial Services Centre
International Financial Services Centre
The International Financial Services Centre is a major financial services centre in North Wall, Dublin, Ireland. The centre employs 14,000 people and was the brainchild of an associate of businessman Dermot Desmond...
side was opened. In 2004, the Luas
Luas
Luas , also promoted in the development stage as the Dublin Light Rail System, is a tram or light rail system serving Dublin, the first such system in the decades since the closure of the last of the Dublin tramways. In 2007, the system carried 28.4 million passengers, a growth of 10% since...
Red Line (to Tallaght
Tallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
) began serving the station. As part of the preparation for this, the ramp, which had been a bus terminus, was demolished and replaced with a 2-platform tram station connected to the main concourse by escalators and lift.
Services
Connolly has seven platforms in total; four terminal (1-4) for trains approaching from the north, and three through - the former Amiens St Jctn station - (5-7), for trains either terminating or passing from the south.There are three Intercity routes served:
- The Enterprise service to BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
(intermediate stops, DroghedaDroghedaDrogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, DundalkDundalkDundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
, NewryNewryNewry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, PortadownPortadownPortadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
) - Sligo Mac Diarmada (some main stops, MaynoothMaynoothMaynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
, MullingarMullingarMullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, LongfordLongfordLongford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county...
) - RosslareRosslareThe name Rosslare may refer to:*Rosslare Strand, a village in County Wexford, Ireland* Rosslare Harbour, a village in County Wexford, Ireland*The Rosslare Europort at Rosslare Harbour...
Europort, via Pearse Station and the "loop line" bridge (selected stops, ArklowArklowArklow , also known as Inbhear Dé from the Avonmore river's older name Abhainn Dé, is a historic town located in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. Founded by the Vikings in the ninth century, Arklow was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the 1798 rebellion...
, GoreyGoreyGorey , is a market town in north County Wexford, Ireland, situated beside the main M11 Dublin to Wexford road. The town is also connected to the railway network along the same route. Local newspapers include the Gorey Guardian and Gorey Echo....
, WexfordWexfordWexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
)
Suburban services run on the same routes, as far as Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
, Maynooth
Maynooth
Maynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
and Gorey
Gorey
Gorey , is a market town in north County Wexford, Ireland, situated beside the main M11 Dublin to Wexford road. The town is also connected to the railway network along the same route. Local newspapers include the Gorey Guardian and Gorey Echo....
or Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
. The aforementioned DART service uses some of the platforms equipped with overhead electrics (Platforms 5, 6, and 7). Terminal platform 4 is also electrified, although electric trains rarely use it.
Future
Iarnród Éireann has proposed a major realignment of local services into the capital in order to ease the congestion at Connolly. The opening of DocklandsDocklands railway station
Docklands Station is a new railway station serving the Dublin Docklands area in Ireland owned by Córas Iompair Éireann planned as part of the Government Transport 21 initiative....
station has provided an alternative terminus for the Western Commuter line to Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
. It is planned that these services will form the basis for the planned line to Dunboyne
Dunboyne
Dunboyne is a town in County Meath in Ireland. For the most part, it is a dormitory town for the city of Dublin.-Location:Dunboyne is centred on the crossroads formed by the R156 regional road and the old Maynooth Road ....
and Navan
Navan
-People:Navan was the childhood home of Pierce Brosnan, who appeared in the television series Remington Steele and was the fifth film actor to play James Bond. TV personality Hector Ó hEochagáin, and comedians Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan also hail from Navan....
. IÉ plan to retain Docklands
Docklands railway station
Docklands Station is a new railway station serving the Dublin Docklands area in Ireland owned by Córas Iompair Éireann planned as part of the Government Transport 21 initiative....
station as a terminus for services from Pace. Docklands will be just across the road from the proposed Spencer Dock station on the Interconnector
Interconnector (rail tunnel)
DART Underground , previously known as the Interconnector, is a planned railway tunnel in Ireland, projected to run under the city centre of Dublin. The tunnel would allow for the expansion of the electrified DART and the Dublin Suburban Rail network, and connect Heuston Station with Pearse Station...
which will divert DART services from the north away from Connolly, further increasing capacity.
Connections
While Connolly connects Dublin to the east coast of Ireland and to Sligo, Heuston Station serves the south and west of the country. Connolly station is connected to Heuston via the LuasLuas
Luas , also promoted in the development stage as the Dublin Light Rail System, is a tram or light rail system serving Dublin, the first such system in the decades since the closure of the last of the Dublin tramways. In 2007, the system carried 28.4 million passengers, a growth of 10% since...
tram system. Rail links also exist connecting the two stations passing through a tunnel under the Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
. Passenger services seldom use this section, with its main purpose being the transfer of rolling stock
Rolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
and locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s (the main service depot for Iarnród Éireann is at Inchicore
Inchicore
-Location and access:Located five kilometres due west of the city centre, Inchicore lies south of the River Liffey, west of Kilmainham, north of Drimnagh and east of Ballyfermot. The majority of Inchicore is in the Dublin 8 postal district...
, just outside Heuston).