A still of footage at Athlone Railway Station for RTE's report, in July 2001, about the 150th anniversary of the first train crossing the River Shannon.

First train to cross the Shannon departed from Athlone 170 years ago

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 23 Jul 2021, 3:29 PM

This week marks the 170th anniversary of the first-ever train journey over the River Shannon, from Athlone to Galway.

The historic trip took place on July 21, 1851, following the completion of the town's wrought iron railway bridge.

The anniversary was marked by RTÉ today as it shared footage of a report, which aired on this day twenty years ago, about the 150th anniversary celebrations in Athlone in 2001.

The report, presented by RTÉ's recently-retired Midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly, includes contributions from retired train driver John Burke and then-Minister Mary O'Rourke.

You can watch the RTÉ report from 2001 HERE.

Cornafulla's Vincent Harney, of Athlone Guided Tours, posted about the milestone on Facebook recently, pointing out that the opening of the town's railway bridge coincided with the later stages of the Great Famine.

"Among those crossing this bridge during its first years would have been many tens of thousands of destitute souls who left counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon around this time en route to the coffin ships bound for North America and beyond.

"The crossing of the White Bridge in Athlone would be the last time almost all of them would set foot in their homeland of Connacht," wrote Vincent.