Overview
The Shillelagh‑to‑Woodenbridge branch railway was a 16.5‑mile rural line that once linked the village of Shillelagh with the Dublin‑Rosslare main line at Woodenbridge. Built in the mid‑1860s at the behest of Lord FitzWilliam of the Coolattin Estate, the line cut through the Vale of Avoca, tracing the Aughrim and Derry rivers and offering some of Wicklow’s most scenic countryside. Though passenger services ceased in 1944 and the line was fully lifted by the early 1950s, a substantial portion of the former trackbed has been reborn as a walking route – the Tinahely Railway Walk – providing visitors with a tangible link to the region’s railway heritage and natural beauty.
History
The Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (DW&WR) obtained its Act of Parliament for the branch in March 1863, and the line quickly earned the nickname the “Fitzwilliam Railway” after Lord FitzWilliam, who donated the required land. Contractor Edwards carried out the construction, and the first train ran in June 1865; the official opening of Shillelagh station is recorded as 22 May 1865.
The line featured modest single‑platform stations at Woodenbridge, Aughrim, Ballinglen, Tinahely and the terminus at Shillelagh. Notable facilities included a private waiting room for the FitzWilliam family, turntables at both Woodenbridge and Shillelagh, and a short spur serving the Aughrim Flour Mills. Goods and cattle facilities were present at most stations, and Shillelagh also housed a small locomotive depot.
During its heyday the branch supported up to six daily passenger trains, mixed services carrying both passengers and freight, and direct summer excursions from Dublin’s Harcourt Street to Shillelagh. Freight traffic moved livestock, flour, stone and, for a brief period, sugar beet. The line survived the 1925 amalgamation into the Great Southern Railways (GSR) but succumbed to wartime coal shortages during “The Emergency” – passenger services were withdrawn on 23 April 1944 (some sources record 24 April) and the final goods traffic beyond Aughrim ceased in 1953. The Woodenbridge‑to‑Aughrim section remained open for stone traffic until 1953; the remaining stretch to Shillelagh closed completely in 1953. Woodenbridge station itself stayed open on the Dublin‑Rosslare line until March 1964.
Locomotives that plied the route included the DW&WR 0‑6‑0 No. 50 (1925‑1930), ex‑GSWR J15/101 0‑6‑0s and a former MGWR 2‑4‑0. Diesel shunters never operated on the line, as it closed before CIÉ’s dieselisation programme took hold.
What to See & Do
Walking the Railway Walk
The most accessible way to experience the former railway is the Tinahely Railway Walk, opened in September 2007. The 2.3 km trail follows the original trackbed from the Woodenbridge car park, winding alongside the Derry River and through farmland before terminating at the historic Tomnafinnoge Woods. The path is surfaced, well‑signposted and suitable for wheelchairs and sturdy buggies. Picnic tables are spaced along the route, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch.
A second phase, the Railway Walk Extension, adds another 2 km from the Tinahely car park towards Aughrim. Funded 75 % by the County Wicklow Partnership (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) and 25 % locally, this extension brings the total walkable length to roughly 5 km. The project is a partnership between Tinahely Community Projects, local landowners, Wicklow County Council, FAS and Coillte, and it demonstrates the community’s commitment to preserving the line’s legacy.
Cycling
The surfaced surface and gentle gradients make the trail suitable for cyclists of all abilities. While the official route is sign‑posted for walkers, many local cyclists use the path as part of longer greenway loops in south Wicklow. The planned Phase 3 extension, still in the final planning stages, aims to create a continuous off‑road cycle route linking Woodenbridge, Tinahely and Aughrim.
Surviving Station Buildings
While most of the railway’s infrastructure has vanished, several station buildings survive as private dwellings or commercial premises:
- Woodenbridge Junction – the semi‑derelict 1876 station house still stands, with the original platform footprint visible.
- Aughrim – the former goods shed now houses a car dealership, and the station house is a private residence.
- Ballinglen – the modest 1876 station house remains a private home.
- Tinahely – the station house is also a private dwelling, perched near the start of the walk.
- Shillelagh – the substantial terminus building, complete with former engine shed and turntables, survives as a private residence.
These structures provide photographic opportunities and a sense of stepping back into the 19th‑century railway era.
Scenic Highlights
The walk offers uninterrupted views of the Vale of Avoca, a landscape celebrated by poets and painters for its rolling hills, river valleys and patches of oak woodland. The Aughrim River’s gentle meanders, the Derry River’s clear waters, and the surrounding farmland create a tranquil backdrop for walkers and cyclists alike.
Heritage and Future Prospects
Two feasibility studies have examined the possibility of re‑opening the line as a heritage railway, though none have progressed to implementation. Interest remains among local history groups, and the corridor’s inclusion in Wicklow’s expanding greenway network ensures it will stay a recreational asset.
Phase 3 of the Railway Walk – a further 2‑km stretch from Aughrim towards the old mill site – is currently in the final planning stage, with funding applications under review. If approved, the extension will complete a 7‑km off‑road route suitable for both walkers and cyclists.
Practical Information
The railway walk is free of charge and open year‑round. Parking is available at both the Woodenbridge and Tinahely car parks; both are free and include a handful of spaces for cyclists. The trail is wheelchair‑accessible and suitable for sturdy push‑chairs, though some sections near the river can be uneven after heavy rain. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
A downloadable PDF map is provided by the Tinahely community project, offering detailed route information and points of interest. For the most up‑to‑date details, visit the official walk page:
Railway Walk – Tinahely Community Projects
Nearby Attractions
Visitors often combine the walk with a visit to nearby sites such as the Coolattin Estate, the Shillelagh shillelagh‑making workshops, a round of golf at Coollattin Golf Club, or the historic Avoca Handweaving Mill in the Vale of Avoca. The charming village of Avoca itself, with its boutique shops and riverside walks, lies just a short drive away.
Public transport to Woodenbridge is limited; most visitors arrive by car from Dublin (approximately 1 hour) or from the south via the R725.
The Shillelagh‑to‑Woodenbridge branch railway offers a rare blend of industrial heritage and natural splendour, making it a must‑see for history enthusiasts, walkers and anyone seeking a quiet slice of Wicklow’s countryside.