Timeline

• 1799
  

  William Dargan, the “Father of Irish Railways”, is born near Carlow town.

• 1804

  The world’s first steam powered railway journey takes place.

• 1834

  Ireland’s first railway, Dublin to Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire), opens.

• 1844
  

  The Great Southern and Western Railway is incorporated.

• 1846
  

  Heuston, then Kingsbridge Station, and headquarters of the Great Southern and Western Railway, opens.

• 1864

  The Dublin Grand Junction Railway Bill proposes a 170 feet Liffey Viaduct at Kingsbridge  
  The Dublin Trunk Connection Bill proposes an 8 arch Liffey Viaduct at Kingsbridge.

• 1865

  The Corporation and Burgesses of Dublin petition against the Dublin Trunk Connection Bill.         

• 1877

  The Liffey Viaduct, a single span, wrought iron, truss bridge opens.

• 1891

  The Loop Line Bridge, Dublin’s second railway bridge opens.

• 1916

  British troops are transferred from the Curragh across the Liffey Viaduct, to fight the rebels.

• 1939-1945

  Trains deposit emergency food supplies in the Phoenix Park Tunnel.