Carlingford Station House
For some it is an iconic symbol of the lamented Dundalk, Newry and Greenore Railway (DNGR), for others it is remembered as “The Dispensary” while some remember it from the opening scenes of the 1949 comedy drama film “Saints and Sinners”.
Carlingford Station House has undergone an extensive renovation over the last ten months. The result is an authentic transformation maintaining many beautiful features of the Victorian railway station first opened on August 1st, 1876, creating an attractive community asset in a prime waterfront location.
The Station House project is the culmination of almost 20 years work by past and present members of Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust. Many of those will be present for the official opening ceremony on Friday December 12th at 11.30am. The Trust would like to welcome everybody to the building and hear their views from 1pm, when an exhibition celebrating the history of the Station House and the DNGR will open to the public and continue daily from 10am-4pm until December 19th.
On December 31st, 1951 the railway line linking Dundalk, Newry and the port of Greenore closed. Hopes that “the Greenore train would run again” faded and Carlingford, along with stations at Dundalk Quay Street, Bellurgan, Bush, Greenore and Omeath fell into varying states of disrepair before finding alternative uses as business premises and family homes. While the track was lifted in 1952, the Great Eastern Greenway opens a part of this route again, this time for walkers and cyclists, as it follows the track bed from Carlingford Marina to Omeath.
Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust has an established record restoring buildings of historic merit and putting them to appropriate community use for the social and economic benefit of the area. The Station House will provide Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula with community offices, a modern Tourist Information Centre and an exhibition space with a panoramic view of Carlingford Lough and the Mourne Mountains. This building can only act as the catalyst for further appropriate development of the area along the seafront.
The Tourist Information Centre will occupy a retail unit at the north west end of the building, facing the tennis courts and Taaffe’s Castle. This area was previously accessed through a newly evident and impressive sandstone doorway from the station platform and was once the ladies powder room. The ticket office is remarkably well preserved, complete with original bench and will serve as a small exhibition area. The central portion of the building, with its glazed wall overlooking the harbour will lend itself to many uses and subject to joint funding by the Irish and Canadian Governments, will house the Thomas D’Arcy McGee Interpretive Centre. The Station Master’s house, at the south eastern end of the building will house offices for the Heritage Trust, Carlingford and Cooley Tourism Association and additional meeting rooms.
The project received grant aid of €147,000 from Louth Leader Partnership, supported by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Enabling the project to proceed, financial bridging support was made available by Ulster Community Investment Trust, while a favourable lease was agreed with Louth County Council. Without the support of these bodies, this beautiful restoration would not have come to fruition. The Trust is grateful for the expertise of the County Conservation Officer, Angela Dullaghan, the dedication of local Conservation Architect to the project Paraic McKevitt and the skills of P&K Johnston Construction.
