Oldest Irish railway photos

[GSWR 90]

The Broad Gauge Society (the 7’ broad gauge, not our one!) recently posted this on their excellent Facebook page, accompanied by the photo attached:

“Taken at Cheltenham shed in the late 1840s. On the left, 'Star' class 2-2-2 Polar Star has not yet had its frames and boiler lengthened by 2'0", which happened in 1849. Second is 'Pyracmon' class 0-6-0 Alligator. On the right is 'Sun' class 2-2-2 Javelin.

The photo was possibly taken by GWR employee Hugh Owen, a close friend of photography pioneer Henry Fox Talbot, and is among the earliest railway photographs ever taken.”

So the earliest British railway photos were likely from the 1840s. Does anyone know of any contenders for the oldest Irish railway photos?

 

[jhb171achill]

I believe the oldest is at Clonmel about 1850, showing a man in a tiop hat, as far as I recall, standing under the railway bridge with a loco int he background. There is another, probably the 2nd oldest, showing a very early MGWR train at (I think) Castlebar, which seems only to have had one platform then.

[Killian Keane]

17 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

I believe the oldest is at Clonmel about 1850, showing a man in a tiop hat, as far as I recall, standing under the railway bridge with a loco int he background. There is another, probably the 2nd oldest, showing a very early MGWR train at (I think) Castlebar, which seems only to have had one platform then.

I was thinking the same thing, featuring one of the first series of W&LR express locos, a Stothert and Slaughter outside cylinder 2-2-2, a class definitely on my 'to model' list!

Ernie Shepherd, in his book on the WLWR states the drawing I attach is incorrect in as much as the rear carrying wheels should apparently have outside bearings, but doesnt provide a source, would anyone know what this is in reference to?

Edited 12 hours ago by Killian Keane

[Westcorkrailway]

Kinsale railway “cutting of the sod” ceremony 1859

[Mol_PMB]

2 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said:

Kinsale railway “cutting of the sod” ceremony 1859

A very fine display of millinery!