Opening of Athlone to Tullamore railway

1859 - 150 Years Ago: The Athlone to Tullamore railway line opened on October 3rd, 1859, under the ownership of the Great Southern and Western Railway. The Westmeath Independent's report on the opening read as follows: "This line was opened on Monday. The first train, starting at 7.20am, the hour announced in the time bills. During the week, the trains to and from Dublin and Cork have been most punctual to their time, and notwithstanding that a large cattle traffic from Ballinasloe has passed over the line, not the slightest irregularity or accident occurred. Passengers by this line are conveyed to Dublin in three hours, to Waterford, Limerick and Cork, in six or seven hours thus opening up a communication with the south from which incalculable benefits may be looked to. The permanent and secure manner in which the line has been laid down is now sufficiently tested and is very creditable to the contractor Mr Dargan. The Station House, stores and offices, are equally well constructed and offer ample accommodation for the extensive carrying trade that we hope to see concentrated here. An advertisement promoting the opening of the line carried some interesting information as to the speed, regularity and pricing of the trains 150 years ago. There were two daily trains from Tullamore to Athlone, with the journey timetabled for 52 minutes and one hour. Strangely, the trip eastwards from Athlone to Tullamore, which would be undertaken twice daily, was of lesser duration; 50 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. There was one train in each direction on a Sunday. First class single fares were 4s 6d, while first class return cost 6s 9d. There were also second and third class fares available. 100 Years Ago 1909 Another Athlone football international The late 1900s and early years of the 1910s proved a fruitful period for Athlone soccer, with four locals wearing the Irish shirt in international soccer matches. Joe Enright, a native of Griffith Street, made his bow for Ireland in October 1909 as the Westmeath Independent reported thus: "Another international footballer from Athlone has come to light in the person of young Enright, who during the past season played so brilliantly for Shelbourne. Enright plays his first international match today (October 9, 1909) against England and great things are expected." Moore and landlordism The Westmeath Independent was strong in support of the land question in the late 19th and early 20th century. "When the question of compulsory land purchase is engaging the attention of the legislature and when we are assured that the land question is practically settled, a short study of the conditions prevailing in South Roscommon and more particularly in that part of it comprised in the parish of Moore is calculated to give us a very rude awakening and to convince us that while much of the land of Ireland has been freed from the evils of landlordism, the most troublesome of the landlord problems yet remain to be dealt with. The parish of Moore contains 365 houses and holdings and of these over 300 are under £10 valuation. On the other hand, two men, strangers, hold close to 6,000 acres of land between them and this is the best land in the parish. There are for all practical purposes, just three estates in the parish and the comparative conditions existing thereon are highly instructive. The first and smallest is the Kyle property. This has been sold through the Estates Commission or rather the agreements have been signed on terms that are satisfactory to all concerned. A small property of 800 acres of grassland has been acquired for the relief of the congestion amongst the tenants and their neighbours. Of this 800 acres, 500 have been distributed and 300 acres have been retained for the benefits of tenants on the adjoining Potts Estate where it is recognised that in the event of the sale of the Potts Estate, there is not sufficient grasslands outside the demesne to relieve the frightful congestion among the Potts tenants. Therefore the Estates Commissioners hold 300 acres of the Kyle Property pending a settlement of the Potts Estate. The Potts Estate is far larger than the Kyle property and over 60 tenants are under £5 valuation." The paper went on to explain the nub of the current discontent in the area. "Two years ago the tenants on this estate offered to purchase on the same terms as the tenants on the Kyle property. The landlord after some pressure agreed to sell the remaining tenancies but refused to part with the much of the grassland for the extension of their holdings. To purchase then would simply perpetuate conditions of life amongst the people of Moore which would not be allowed to exist in any properly governed country." Noting that the people of the Potts Estate had withheld rent in a campaign of opposition, the paper noted: "The people of Moore are not of the fighting type. They have never been organised and so far have not been indulged ever in the luxury of a cattle drive. "Their present struggle is simply a case of the worm turning, but now that they have shown fight it is reasonable to expect that however prolonged the struggle it will be a fight to the finish." 50 Years Ago 1959 Canal barges promoted as holiday boats "Converted canal barges may soon make gay holiday houseboats on the Shannon river," the Westmeath Independent of October, 1959 proferred. The piece detailed CIE's enterprising idea to promote tourism, is to make 33 traffic barges which will cease trading on the Grand Canal at the end of the year, available for conversion in to floating holiday homes, at a nominal rent. Holiday makers will do their own reconstruction to turn these vessels in to comfortable living condition, the paper revealed, adding that on July 1 last, CIE withdrew all trade from spur or branch canals, and only used only the direct waterways of the Grand Canal from Dublin to Shannon Harbour. A spokesperson for the company said in renting the barges their motto is first come, first served. All the barges are in good condition and the engines will last for years if cared for, he added. At present, it costs CIE £52,000 per year to maintain the Grand Canal alone, with a personnel of 300 workers.