Midland Great Western Railway – Ireland’s Historic Westward Line

Overview

The Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) was incorporated in 1845 and, at its height, operated a 538‑mile (866 km) Irish‑gauge network that stretched from Dublin through the Midlands to the rugged coasts of Connacht. Though the company was absorbed into the Great Southern Railways in 1924, its legacy survives in three distinct forms:

• Active rail services – Iarnród Éireann still runs the Dublin‑Sligo, Dublin‑Galway and Dublin‑Westport corridors that follow the original MGWR alignment.
• Greenways and walking trails – Disused sections have been converted into the Great Western Greenway (Mayo) and the Old Rail Trail (Athlone‑Mullingar), offering cyclists and walkers a traffic‑free way to experience the countryside.
• Heritage hotels and preserved rolling stock – Former stations at Clifden, Kilmessan Junction and Mullranny have been transformed into boutique hotels, while a handful of six‑wheel carriages survive in museums.

History

The MGWR received its Royal Assent in July 1845, authorising a £1 million capital raise to build a line from Dublin Broadstone to Mullingar and Longford and to purchase the Royal Canal for £298,059. Construction began in January 1846 under chief engineer G.W. Hemans. The line reached Enfield in May 1847, Hill of Down later that year and Mullingar in October 1848.

From Mullingar the railway pushed westward, reaching Athlone in 1851 and Galway later that year – the first company to connect Dublin with the Atlantic port. Rivalry with the Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) meant that both companies shared the Athlone‑Galway stretch, with the MGWR receiving 65 % of passenger receipts and 55 % of goods receipts.

Branches and Extensions

• Westport‑Achill – opened 1895, closed 1937; promoted as a holiday gateway with a hotel at Mallaranny (now Mulranny) and a steamer link to Achill Sound.
• Galway‑Clifden – opened 1895, closed 1935; built with a £264 000 government grant and supported by a hotel at Recess.
• Longford, Cavan, Sligo and numerous rural branches – including lines to Cavan, Killeshandra, Ballaghaderreen and Ballinrobe, most of which closed between the 1930s and 1960s.
• North Wall Extension – opened 1859, giving the MGWR access to Dublin’s North Wall harbour and linking to the London and North Western Railway steamers.

The MGWR’s rolling stock was distinctive: locomotives were painted bright emerald until 1902, then royal blue, grass‑green and finally gloss black. Carriages moved from varnish‑brown to a short‑lived blue livery (1901) before settling on brown and, after 1918, a deep crimson.

In 1924 the Railways Act merged the MGWR with the GS&WR, the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway and others to form the Great Southern Railway, later the Great Southern Railways (GSR). The MGWR name disappeared, but its infrastructure remained.

Tourism and Legacy

The MGWR was more than a transport company; it actively promoted tourism in the west of Ireland. A 16‑page promotional brochure (re‑printed in the Connaught Telegraph, 2020) highlighted:

• Railway Hotels – the Railway Hotel in Galway (now The Hardiman) and purpose‑built hotels at Westport, Mallaranny and Recess, offering comfortable accommodation for holidaymakers.
• Fishing Preserves and Golf Courses – the company developed angling waters and early golf links near its coastal branches, encouraging sport‑tourism.
• Motor‑Coach Service – a fleet of coaches linked railway stations with nearby attractions such as Croagh Patrick, Connemara and the scenic lakes of County Mayo.
• Scenic Marketing – vivid descriptions of “sylvan scenes”, “fairylands” and the “magnificent endowed district” were used to attract British visitors, positioning the west of Ireland as a premier holiday destination.

These legacy assets survive today as boutique hotels (Clifden Station House Hotel, Kilmessan Junction Station House Hotel, Mullranny Park Hotel) and as the greenways that trace the former trackbeds.

What to See & Do

Active Train Journeys

• Dublin → Galway – Depart from Heuston (the former GS&WR station) and travel the historic MGWR corridor via Athlone. The journey takes about 2 ½ hours and offers views of the River Shannon floodplain and the rolling Westmeath landscape.
• Dublin → Westport – Follow the same line to Athlone, then continue on the former MGWR branch to Westport, a gateway to Connemara and the Great Western Greenway.

Greenways

Both routes are sign‑posted, have dedicated bike‑rental points in Athlone, Westport and Mullingar, and provide access to historic sites such as the 19th‑century bridges over the River Corrib and the former Broadstone station platforms.

Heritage Hotels

• Clifden Station House Hotel – The expanded former MGWR terminus now offers boutique rooms, a restaurant and direct access to the Clifden‑Oughterard walking loop.
• Kilmessan Junction Station House Hotel (County Meath) – Set in a restored Victorian station, it serves as a base for exploring the Boyne Valley.
• Mullranny Park Hotel (County Mayo) – Housed in the former Westport‑Achill station, it overlooks Clew Bay and provides shuttle service to the Greenway.

Preserved Carriages

• Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (Cultra) – Displays carriage No. 47, William Dargan’s private saloon, fully restored.
• Downpatrick and County Down Railway – Holds several MGWR six‑wheelers (Nos 25, 53, 62M) awaiting restoration.

Visitor Experiences

• Rail‑trail walking – The Old Rail Trail passes through fertile farmland, historic townlands and the scenic Lough Ennell area. Guided walks are offered by local heritage groups.
• Cycling the Great Western Greenway – The route hugs the coastline of Clew Bay, offering panoramic sea views, stops at the Croagh Patrick pilgrimage site and the charming village of Mulranny.

Practical Tips

Getting There

• By train – Iarnród Éireann services to Athlone, Galway and Westport depart from Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly. Tickets can be booked via the Irish Rail website.
• By car – The M4 and M6 motorways provide fast access to Athlone (M6) and Galway (M6). Parking is available at the trailheads in Athlone (Athlone Town Centre Car Park) and Mullingar (Mullingar Railway Station car park, free for trail users).

Greenway Access

• Bike hire – Companies in Athlone, Westport and Mullingar rent mountain‑bikes and e‑bikes. Prices start at €12 per day.
• Dog‑friendly – Dogs are permitted on both greenways provided they are kept on a leash and owners clean up after them.
• Wheelchair accessibility – The majority of the Old Rail Trail is flat and suitable for wheelchair users; the Great Western Greenway has some short gradients but is largely accessible.
• Trail maps – Printable PDFs are available from the official greenway sites:
  • Great Western Greenway – greatwesterngreenway.ie
  • Old Rail Trail – sportireland.ie/old‑rail‑trail

Heritage Hotels

• Booking – All three station‑house hotels accept online reservations through their individual websites. Check for seasonal packages that include guided rail‑trail tours.
• Accessibility – The Clifden and Mullranny properties have step‑free access to guest rooms; the Kilmessan hotel offers limited wheelchair access due to the historic building layout.

Preservation Sites

• Downpatrick Railway Museum – Open Tue‑Sat, 10:00‑17:00. Admission €5 for adults, €3 for children.
• Ulster Folk & Transport Museum – Open Tue‑Sun, 10:00‑17:00. Admission €7 adults, €4 children.

Suggested Itinerary (example)

1. Arrive in Dublin, take the train to Athlone (≈1 h 15 min).
2. Rent a bike and cycle the Old Rail Trail to Mullingar (≈3 h by bike, 8 h on foot).
3. Return to Athlone, catch the westbound service to Westport (≈2 h 30 min).
4. Spend a night at the Mullranny Park Hotel, then cycle the Great Western Greenway to Achill Sound, stopping at Croagh Patrick and the coastal villages.
5. Finish the journey with a train back to Dublin from Westport.

All distances, timetables and ticket prices are subject to change; consult the Irish Rail and greenway websites for the latest information.

Further Reading

• Tom Gillespie, History of the old Midland Great Western Railway – Part 1, Connaught Telegraph (2020) – provides a contemporary promotional brochure and detailed narrative of the railway’s tourist facilities.
• Grace’s Guide entry on the Midland Great Western Railway – comprehensive chronology of line openings, engineering staff and corporate changes.

The Midland Great Western Railway’s story is a reminder that the tracks of the past can become the pathways of today’s explorers.