Railway
The old Railway Station, which formerly stood on the MacDonagh Junction complex, ceased to operate from 1997 when a new station was relocated in a former goods building. While this is a modern building meeting today’s needs, it is a fraction of the scale of the original station.
The former Kilkenny Railway Station opened its doors in 1847, over 160 years ago. It was not without controversy at the time as the cost, having been estimated at some €14,000, more than doubled to a total of €31,471. The first train did not arrive until 14th November 1850, and trains have run regularly since then to the current day.
Designed by an engineer named Captain Moorsom, the then station was subsequently modified by architect Sancton Wood who also designed Heuston Station and served as architect to the Great Southern & Western Railway. Access to the original station was formerly off of the Castlecomer Road but this entrance was closed in 1878.
In 1966, the Government named major national railway stations in memorial to the leaders of the 1916 Rising. Tomás MacDonagh was a Professor in Kilkenny’s St Kieran’s College from 1901 to 1903, hence the naming of this particular station in his honour. The principal buildings adjoining the original railway station have now been fully restored, as has the original goods building which now forms part of MacDonagh Junction’s main retail centre.