The Valentia Harbour Branch
The Valentia Harbour Branch, also known as the West Kerry Railway was a 39 1/4 mile railway from Farranfore to Valentia Harbour which hugged the northern end of the Iveragh Peninsula.
The first section from Farranfore to Killorglin was opened by the GS&WR on the 15th Janurary 1885. The extension from Killorglin to Valentia Harbour opened on the 12th August 1893.
The stations on the branch were at:
- Farranfore,
- Molahiffe (for Firies),
- Castlemaine.
- Milltown,
- Killorglin,
- Caragh Lake,
- Dooks,
- Glenbeigh,
- Mountain Stage,
- Kells
- Cahersiveen
- Valentia Harbour.
The extension from Killorgin to Valentia was determined by a need for local farmers and particularly fishermen for a fast and reliable means of getting their produce to the market which was mainly in Britain. Valentia at this time had aspirations, as the most Westerly sea port, of becoming the boarding point for most of the trans-Atlantic passengers who preferred to cover as much of their journey over land as possible. These factors and the availability of a grant of 85,000 pounds from the British government made possible under the Light Railways Act of 1889 meant that work could commence on the line.
By the 1950's the line was no longer considered viable and the axe finally fell on the 1st February 1960. A few Cattle specials operated after this date with complete closure occuring during August 1960.
The route of what was the most westerly railway line in Europe took in some of the most scenic views in Ireland, following a path along part of the Ring of Kerry route through river valleys and along mountainsides with a view of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay.
If the railway had survived to the 1970's who knows what may have happened. It may have become a tourist attraction in its own right and would have relieved traffic congestion on the N70 road to Cahersiveen.
This photographic survey of the route starts at Farranfore and works its way towards Valentia Harbour. It is still a work in progress and more new photos will be added over time. Some photos appear in previous galleries, but they are relevant to the Valentia Harbour Branch Line.
Read MoreThe first section from Farranfore to Killorglin was opened by the GS&WR on the 15th Janurary 1885. The extension from Killorglin to Valentia Harbour opened on the 12th August 1893.
The stations on the branch were at:
- Farranfore,
- Molahiffe (for Firies),
- Castlemaine.
- Milltown,
- Killorglin,
- Caragh Lake,
- Dooks,
- Glenbeigh,
- Mountain Stage,
- Kells
- Cahersiveen
- Valentia Harbour.
The extension from Killorgin to Valentia was determined by a need for local farmers and particularly fishermen for a fast and reliable means of getting their produce to the market which was mainly in Britain. Valentia at this time had aspirations, as the most Westerly sea port, of becoming the boarding point for most of the trans-Atlantic passengers who preferred to cover as much of their journey over land as possible. These factors and the availability of a grant of 85,000 pounds from the British government made possible under the Light Railways Act of 1889 meant that work could commence on the line.
By the 1950's the line was no longer considered viable and the axe finally fell on the 1st February 1960. A few Cattle specials operated after this date with complete closure occuring during August 1960.
The route of what was the most westerly railway line in Europe took in some of the most scenic views in Ireland, following a path along part of the Ring of Kerry route through river valleys and along mountainsides with a view of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay.
If the railway had survived to the 1970's who knows what may have happened. It may have become a tourist attraction in its own right and would have relieved traffic congestion on the N70 road to Cahersiveen.
This photographic survey of the route starts at Farranfore and works its way towards Valentia Harbour. It is still a work in progress and more new photos will be added over time. Some photos appear in previous galleries, but they are relevant to the Valentia Harbour Branch Line.
186 arrives at Farranfore. The Valentia Harbour Branch would have been on the opposite side of the island platform at Farrranfore. J15's and possibly even 186 herself would have been a regular sight on the branch line during its life. Wed 25.05.05
From A from the past collection Filming "The Wind that shakes the Barley"
