- Created: November 5, 2013 10:18 am
- Updated: December 12, 2017 10:59 am
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This Railway monument is to the now disused and dismantled railway line from Farranfore to Valentia Island Harbour terminus at Renard Point. It was one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, the western most in Europe and a tourist attraction that Ireland can only dream of now. The scenic views of Dingle Bay, Inch and Rossbeigh Beaches and The Blasket Islands on the Mountain Stage section of the line near Glenbeigh must have been out of this world. This railway line, 62 km in length and opened in September 1893, completely changing south Kerry and the rural way of life both socially and economically.
In February 1960, just over 50 years ago, these potential tourist gems were closed due to decreasing rural populations, emigration, alternative modes of transport like the car and the lack of tourism, that we take for granted today. Imagine the tourism possibilities today if you could travel the length and breath of Ireland by train. The terminus at Renard also served a short railway line on Valentia Island itself which connected the world famous Slate Quarry and Knightstown Village (The Foot) and allowed Valentia Slate to be exported all over the world.
With the recent tourism success of the Great Western Greenway cycle and walking route from Westport to Achill in Mayo, this disused railway line has been given money to be developed as a Greenway with one section already underway.
This Railway monument is to the now disused and dismantled railway line from Farranfore to Valentia Island Harbour terminus at Renard Point. It was one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, the western most in Europe and a tourist attraction that Ireland can only dream of now. The scenic views of Dingle Bay, Inch and Rossbeigh Beaches and The Blasket Islands on the Mountain Stage section of the line near Glenbeigh must have been out of this world. This railway line, 62 km in length and opened in September 1893, completely changing south Kerry and the rural way of life both socially and economically.
In February 1960, just over 50 years ago, these potential tourist gems were closed due to decreasing rural populations, emigration, alternative modes of transport like the car and the lack of tourism, that we take for granted today. Imagine the tourism possibilities today if you could travel the length and breath of Ireland by train. The terminus at Renard also served a short railway line on Valentia Island itself which connected the world famous Slate Quarry and Knightstown Village (The Foot) and allowed Valentia Slate to be exported all over the world.
With the recent tourism success of the Great Western Greenway cycle and walking route from Westport to Achill in Mayo, this disused railway line has been given money to be developed as a Greenway with one section already underway.
