Before the week slides away down the sidings I thought I’d mention that on this week, on the Monday of January 10th 1977, all hopes of a train leaving the station in Castleisland again finally faded as the just over four mile long branch line to Gortatlea was closed.
In the course of 2021 I was asked to do a Zoom talk by the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society on the history of the Castleisland to Gortatlea Railway which operated between September 6th 1875 and January 10th 1977.
It grew from a request by Marie O’Sullivan, then editor of the The Kerry Magazine, under the auspices of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society.
I baulked at the talk request but Marie agreed to my suggestion that I’d put a little film account of the railway and its history together.
A Labour of Love
It was a labour of love as I have very fond memories of the train coming in through the countryside down the fields from where we lived on the Tralee Road.
The Back the Tracks walkers are: Jack O’Connor, Barrack Street and PJ Luddy, Tralee Road on an evening jaunt in July 1974. Then we have Sonny and Bernie Tangney in June 1983.
With Sheila Prendiville in her shop is Phil Daly from Currans in November 2002.
Lives Intertwined
In the course of the film you’ll see many other people including those whose lives were intertwined with the life and times of the station. Nancy Mahony from Camp Crossing has vivid memories of her times as a gatekeeper there.
Local historian and keen photographer, Timothy Murphy is gone to his eternal reward since and he provided information on his links to the commercial side of the station.
The man in the cattle lorry getting preferential treatment from Con Mahony at Camp Crossing is the late Bill Keane, Limerick Road.
We hope to add to the story of the little line as there is so much more to it. For now, take a trip Back the Tracks with us with a click on the link above.
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