Dunleer railway station
Encyclopedia
Dunleer railway station is an existing unused railway station on the main line
between Belfast
and Dublin. Opened by the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway
in 1851 to serve the town of Dunleer
in County Louth
, the station was the major stop between Dundalk
and Drogheda
. The station survived longer than most following the rationalisation of the railway network, and was only closed by Córas Iompair Éireann
in 1984.
In recent years, Dunleer has expanded significantly to become a dormitory settlement for Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin. As a consequence of this, the infrastructure of the town has been expanded; it is located by the M1 motorway, with three separate junctions onto distributor roads, and significant bus links. However, the local community in Dunleer have called for the railway station to be reopened, led by the Dunleer Community Development Board. The possibility of the station being rebuilt is also included in the local development plan for Dunleer and mid-Louth published by Louth County Council
.
There has been some degree of controversy in the past about proposed mixed-use urban renewal development adjacent to the railway station, with claims being made that it would restrict access, with the project having been planned to improve the level of access in advance of the station being reopened. However, in 2010,Louth County Council granted Dunleer equal status in future proposals to have a third Railway Station developed in County Louth during the lifetime of the Louth County Development plan 2009-2020. The Dunleer Community Development Board continues its campaign to have the station reopened in the future.
Dublin-Belfast railway line
The Dublin-Belfast main line is a major railway route in Ireland that connects Dublin Connolly station in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Central station in Northern Ireland.-History:The railway line was built by three separate companies...
between Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and Dublin. Opened by the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway
Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway
Dublin and the Belfast Junction Railway was an Irish gauge railway in Ireland. The company was incorporated in 1845 and opened its line in stages between 1849 and 1853....
in 1851 to serve the town of Dunleer
Dunleer
Dunleer is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland.Dunleer town is situated midway between Dundalk and Drogheda. It is the principal Town Borough in the Barony of Ferrard. It has a Charter dating back to 1252...
in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, the station was the major stop between Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
and Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
. The station survived longer than most following the rationalisation of the railway network, and was only closed by Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
in 1984.
In recent years, Dunleer has expanded significantly to become a dormitory settlement for Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin. As a consequence of this, the infrastructure of the town has been expanded; it is located by the M1 motorway, with three separate junctions onto distributor roads, and significant bus links. However, the local community in Dunleer have called for the railway station to be reopened, led by the Dunleer Community Development Board. The possibility of the station being rebuilt is also included in the local development plan for Dunleer and mid-Louth published by Louth County Council
Louth County Council
Louth County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Louth in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
.
There has been some degree of controversy in the past about proposed mixed-use urban renewal development adjacent to the railway station, with claims being made that it would restrict access, with the project having been planned to improve the level of access in advance of the station being reopened. However, in 2010,Louth County Council granted Dunleer equal status in future proposals to have a third Railway Station developed in County Louth during the lifetime of the Louth County Development plan 2009-2020. The Dunleer Community Development Board continues its campaign to have the station reopened in the future.