Nobody to kill time in Ballywillan

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Where: Ulster, Cavan, Ireland

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A visit to the wonderful Mr. O'Dea's collection today and a deserted railway station at Ballywillan, County Longford. The track nearest the stations premises is in good nick whereas on the other side the sleepers are up, the rails are aside and it looks like it is curtains at least for the second line. I wonder was Ballywillan on the Dublin to Sligo line and if so is it still on the go?
Apology: I have egg on my face after yesterday completely misreading the title on the Hogan image from Cork:-(

GOOD NEWS KLAXON: Keep an eye out for this programme featuring our very own Elinor Wiltshire and some of her photographs that we have featured here. It's on this Sunday evening, RTÉ One at 19:30. For those of you "out foreign", it'll be on the RTÉ Player...

Photographer: James P. O'Dea

Collection:James P. O'Dea

Date: March 1960?

NLI Ref.: ODEA 19/32

You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie

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Owner: National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 2399
o’deaphotographiccollection nationallibraryofireland nationalphotographicarchive jamespo’dea railwayhistory 20thcentury ireland leinster ballywillan countylongfordrailwaystation permanentway trackremoved

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  • profile

    Niall McAuley

    • 08/Sep/2023 08:22:29

    "Excellently preserved" with pics at eiretrains

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    Niall McAuley

    • 08/Sep/2023 08:25:00

    Streetview does not get close.

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    Niall McAuley

    • 08/Sep/2023 08:30:53

    Spelled Ballywillin on the 25". Not on the Sligo line, it is on the 1856 Inny Junction to Cavan line. Eiretrains linked above says The line lost its passenger service in 1947 but regular goods services survived until 1960, which is when O'Dea visited. The line was single track for the most part, but the 25" shows multiple tracks at the station platforms/goods shed.

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    ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq

    • 08/Sep/2023 08:41:01

    Flickr is sometimes amazing! In 2013 via https://www.flickr.com/photos/2cme/, who includes this: "Local Lore holds that Micheal Collins the famous Irish patriot stole through this station countless times to meet his nearby love, while conducting the “little war” with his invisible army. Collins was reputed to be a regular visitor, albeit in secret to Ballwillan to visit his love in nearby Granard. ..." Confirmation required ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/2cme/5238097874/

  • profile

    Niall McAuley

    • 08/Sep/2023 08:42:29

    Logainm says the name is from Béal Átha an Mhuilinn, Mill ford. There is a Corn Mill at the NE of the townland on the 6" and 25" map, gone today.

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    Carol Maddock

    • 08/Sep/2023 08:51:17

    From the Longford Leader on 5 December 1964...

    SALES BY C. P. SMITH & CO., M.I.A.A., CAVAN, COUNTY LONGFORD BALLYWILLAN RAILWAY STATION SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION OF BALLYWILLAN STATION, EQUIPMENT AND LANDS ON THE PREMISES on TUESDAY, 15th DECEMBER at 2.30 p.m. LOT 1. The Station House with Yard, the Tank House together with Platforms, Cattle Banks, main line and adjoining lands in the Cavan direction, area 2a. 1rd. 30prs. approx. The Station House is a solidly constructed building, cut stone walls with slated roof, electric light and water which could be converted to a modern Residence at very low cost. LOT 2. The Goods Stores are of sound construction sizes 33' x 33' and 90' x 15'. This Lot comprises goods platform, line and adjoining land in the Granard direction. Area 1a. 2rds. 15prs. approx. The Cabin is 18' x 18'. This Lot also includes a Weighbridge by Pooley & Son. This interesting property which is in unusually sound condition can be easily converted to accomodate any Factory operation—Cattle Mart (for which it is very suitable), Creamery or Pig Fattening Station and should prove of very great interest to many intending purchasers. Situation—Granard 3 miles. Finea 1¼ miles. Oldcastle 13 miles, Cavan 16 miles and within short disance of Lough Sheelan. Both Lots are held forever. Neither Lot is separately valued. Offers prior to Auction willl be considered. Terms and Conditions at Sale or on application to:— BRENDAN J. McGRATH, SOLICITOR, Islandbridge. Dublin. Or C.P.SMITH,&CO., M.I.A.A., Auctioneers and Valuers, CAVAN. PHONE CAVAN 69.

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    Carol Maddock

    • 08/Sep/2023 09:00:22

    [https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia] Confirmation of the Kitty Kiernan story in the Irish Independent, 8 May 2016

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    ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq

    • 08/Sep/2023 09:07:36

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/47297387@N03 Brilliant!

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    National Library of Ireland on The Commons

    • 08/Sep/2023 10:05:46

    GOOD NEWS KLAXON: Keep an eye out for this programme featuring our very own Elinor Wiltshire and some of her photographs that we have featured here. It's on this Sunday evening, RTÉ One at 19:30. For those of you "out foreign", it'll be on the RTÉ Player...

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    suckindeesel

    • 08/Sep/2023 10:43:42

    Not to confused with Ballywilliam Station, which is in Co. Wexford, now also closed. Our one is in Co. Longford. Official closure was 01/01/60, which actually means end of 1959. So, the station is already closed in this 1960 shot. Must have been a busy time for Mr. O’Dea given the wholesale closures of that period.

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    suckindeesel

    • 08/Sep/2023 18:19:20

    The dissolution of the GNRI board in 1958 and Stormont’s rush to close cross border lines led to the closure of many such stations on the southern side.

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    doravelasquezosorio

    • 10/Sep/2023 01:20:43

    Me recuerda un lugar de mi pueblo cuando pasaba el tren