Kilkenny railway station 3.65

Kilkenny railway station, serves the city of Kilkenny in County Kilkenny.It is a station on the Dublin to Waterford intercity route.It was given the name MacDonagh on 10 April 1966 in commemoration of Thomas MacDonagh, one of the executed leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916.It is on a short spur off the main railway line, from the Lavistown Loop Line, a distance of approximately 4.5 km. This requires trains to exit the station in the same direction from which they entered. This meant moving the locomotive from one end to the other. Today the use of IE 22000 Class railcars stop the need for a turnaround.Previous stationThe station opened on 12 May 1848.The old station can be seen at the bottom of the platforms, facing north. There were 3 platforms: 2 through, and 1 bay facing Waterford/Dublin Via Carlow. The two through tracks carried on over a bridge, onwards to Maryborough (Now Portlaoise) or Castlecomer. This allowed running of trains from Dublin to Waterford without the need for a runaround. However, when many rural lines in the Irish Railway network shut down, the station reverted to its current state. The Old Building had separate waiting-rooms for Ladies and Gentlemen and an underpass to the island platform. Formerly, locomotives would runaround here, although since 2011 this is not possible.Present dayIn 2011 track north of the two platforms were lifted, and filled in with platform. This provides a direct level link to Platform 2 as the footbridge was difficult to climb during cold weather. This creates a layout similar to Howth railway station and abolished the runaround facility.