April 16, 1960, Leinster, Ireland
A lovely capture of Mr McCollins, Station Master at Hazelhatch, Co. Kildare at 3.55 p.m. (or more correctly in railway time 15:55)...Date: Saturday, 16 April 1960..NLI Ref.: ODEA 19/92 ( vtls000304958 )
Chetwynd Viaduct and the Mystery Car!!
Chetwynd Viaduct lifting train, Chetwynd, Co. Cork...I will leave it to the reader to keep themselves abreast of the "Mystery Car" controversy - see comments below. ..This a viaduct on the Cork, Bandon and Sou... More
Swedford? No, it's Guildford!
Very exciting this morning, Flickroonies - we're venturing onto English soil!..This is an early O'Dea photograph from 1936, allegedly taken in Swedford, England. On a very cursory search, Swedford certainly was... More
No. 9 to Donnybrook, Leinster, Ireland
Trams on the North Circular Road in Dublin...Photographer: James P. O'Dea ( http://catalogue.nli.ie/Author/Home?author=O'Dea,+James+P.+1910-1992+photographer&sort=year+asc&view=grid ) ..Date: Between June 1937 ... More
Locomotive April 28, 1959, Public domain image
So many of our train shots show gleaming metal and shining livery, that we thought you might like this stripped back view inside the belly of the beast, with a shot of a train engine in the repair shop at (we t... More
March 15, 1959 - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
An Irish Railway Records Society special train excursion captured at Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. Interesting to see some women in this photo, but maybe they were just locals who came out to see what all the fuss ... More
January 29, 1959 - A black and white photo of a man looking out of a w...
This is signalman Alby Maher (Albert ( http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/IrelandGenWeb/2005-11/1131742093 ) ) pictured at Goold's Cross, Co. Tipperary...Thanks to Billy14477 for this information: "A... More
December 25, 1959 - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
This is the steam boat train crossing the pier at Dun Laoghaire, Dublin on Christmas Day, 1959...Date: 25 December 1959..NLI Ref.: ODEA17/97 ( vtls000148319 )
Locomotive December 19, 1959, Public domain image
This is Driver Joe beside his train at Monaghan Railway Station. This train was an Irish Railway Records Society Special Train, and you can see members of the Society fanning out over the tracks in the backgrou... More
March 27, 1959, Leinster, Ireland
Men working in the aftermath of a derailment at Hybla/Ballyneage, Co. Kildare that happened on Thursday, 26 March 1959...Next day's Irish Times reported:."The main line to the South of Ireland was blocked yeste... More
October 14, 1959 Tullamore Ireland
CIÉ truck loading material into a train wagon at Tullamore, Co. Offaly - could perhaps be agricultural material.....If James O'Dea had waited one more second, we could have seen all of the terrier at left...Dat... More
April 27, 1961 - A black and white photo of a car parked on the side o...
Main Street in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, with more Morris Minors than you could shake a stick at. Thanks to Niall McAuley ( gnmcauley/ ) for confirming location and providing us with a Street View ( http://maps.... More
Railway Footbridge at Churchtown, Dublin
One of our Flickr regulars, Niall McAuley ( gnmcauley/ ) , requested this photo from our O'Dea Collection. He thought from our catalogue description that it might be beside his old primary school in Dublin, but... More
Out of action or just taking a break?
Buses at Broadstone Station in Dublin...Photographer: James P. O'Dea ( http://catalogue.nli.ie/Author/Home?author=O'Dea,+James+P.+1910-1992+photographer&sort=year+asc&view=grid ) ..Date: November 1958..NLI Ref.... More
Where's the Austin Cambridge, Leinster, Ireland
General view with crane, Adelaide Road, Dublin City, Co. Dublin or where's the Austin Cambridge...Thanks for all the comments and fun today. The Mystery car issue is fascinating, was O'Dea a lazy photographer, ... More
Tramway demolition, Howth, Co. Dublin
This is the demolition of the Hill of Howth Tramway...The Howth Tram was a tram which circled Howth Head, near Dublin, Ireland, beginning and terminating at Sutton railway station. It operated from June 1901 to... More
GSR Class L2 - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
Kingsbridge, Dublin City, Co. Dublin...Our first O'Dea railway related photograph is a while. OwenMacC ( /photos/91549360@N03/ ) Tells us that this is the Inchicore Works rather than Kingsbridge Station Dubli... More
Trains lined up at sheds, Adelaide, Co. Antrim.
To start the week we have an O'Dea shot from Co. Antrim to warm us up on a cold and wet July day!..Thanks to Niall McAuley ( /photos/gnmcauley/ ) for the location and his notes on the crest which can be seen ... More
I see the train a coming, a coming down the line...
1,50 train Kiltubrid, Co. Leitrim...This is the Cavan and Leitrim Railway again, the Ballinamore Arigna branch...It was taken on the same day as Sharaf Rashidov was elected First Secretary of the Communist Part... More
Locomotive Filling her up, Public domain image
This is engine 207 (aka Boyne) at Conniberry, Co. Laois. According to our catalogue, this picture was taken while 207 was "getting coal supplies". However, the consensus from comments below is that it is water ... More
March 30, 1961, Leinster, Ireland
P. McCormick (Paddy?) captured in the Signal Cabin at Leixlip, Co. Kildare at 5.45 - though not sure whether it was morning or evening...Date: Thursday, 30 March 1961..NLI Ref.: ODEA 24/90 ( vtls000305431 )
Christy Mahon on the phone, Leinster, Ireland
Our regular roving railway reporter Flying Snail ( flyingsnail/ ) asked for some help, and I was happy to oblige. He's nearing the end of his college work (a photographic project on the former railways in Co. ... More
March 19, 1961, Cork, Ireland
Bill County taking a breather in the Signal Cabin, Albert Quay in Cork city at around 10.55 by the look of the clock...Date: Sunday, 19 March 1961..NLI Ref.: ODEA 24/58 ( vtls000305401 )
Locomotive October 26, 1963, Public domain image
Locomotives B114 and A37 at the Inchicore Works, Dublin...Date: 26 October 1963..NLI Ref.: ODEA37/49 ( vtls000148624 )
An Inspection Car at Straffan Train Station
An Inspection Car at Straffan Train Station, Co. Kildare...Date: Friday, 31 March 1961..NLI Ref.: ODEA 24/92 ( vtls000305433 )
April 10, 1965, Leinster, Ireland
Fred McDonagh in his Signal Cabin, Enfield, Co. Meath at 1.55 p.m...We got some lovely information on Fred from his grandson Traingraham:."A wonderfull photo of my Grandad, he was just after moving from Moyvall... More
Kilfree Junction, Co. Sligo - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
A man pushing a steam train round a turntable...Date: May 1960..NLI Ref.: ODEA20/12 ( vtls000148330 )
January 24, 1960 - A train traveling down train tracks next to a river
The Caragh River in Co. Kerry, hurrying along beside train tracks...Thanks to Mike Gerrish and Niall McAuley for help with the location.....Date: Sunday, 24 January 1960..NLI Ref.: ODEA 18/46 ( vtls000304814 )
March 12, 1960, Leinster, Ireland
We thought this was the view from a railway signal box at a Church Road in Roscommon, and as there are quite a few Church Roads in County Roscommon, we asked for help. Apparently, ask and you shall receive beca... More
January 16, 1963 Limerick, Ireland
Please meet Mr Dan Hempenstall, who was foreman at C.I.É.'s Limerick Works (Railway), pictured in the Wagon Shop...Need help with the location of this photo also, please...Date: Wednesday, 16 January 1963..NLI ... More
Christy Mahon in pensive pose, Leinster, Ireland
Our regular roving railway reporter Flying Snail ( flyingsnail/ ) asked for some help, and I was happy to oblige. He's nearing the end of his college work (a photographic project on the former railways in Co. ... More
April 21, 1961, Leinster, Ireland
Couldn't resist a photo of someone called Rusty, so here is railwayman Rusty Kelly beside his Signal Frame at Lucan South, Dublin...Date: Friday, 21 April 1961..NLI Ref.: ODEA 25/51 ( vtls000305490 )
Limavady Junction Train Station
Which served Limavady in Co. Londonderry/Derry from 1855 to 1976, I think. Uploaded this at the request of Cuddly Nutter ( shanekillen/ ) ...Up to date with requests, I believe, but please do ask if there are b... More
September 12, 1962 - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
Steam train making its way through Cork city...Great help has come in from Corkonians (and others) on exact location, and other information for this one! See the comments below.....Date: 12 September 1962..NLI ... More
Who pays the Ferryman?, Leinster, Ireland
We've come across some ferries here before, but never one quite like this! Taken on the Royal Canal at Downs, near Mullingar in Co. Westmeath.....Photographer: James P. O'Dea ( http://catalogue.nli.ie/Author/Ho... More
February 10, 1967 - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
Stopping at Mallow North Junction, Co. Cork for today's Pic of the Day. This includes some random birds perching on the telegraph pole, and I think one in the bare branches of a tree. Oddly enough, it's very ra... More
Emptying her out - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
And here is engine 207 (aka Boyne) at Amiens Street Station (now Connolly Station) in Dublin, being emptied of cinders, clinkers, ash.....Date: Sunday, 21 June 1964..NLI Ref.: ODEA 39/38 ( vtls000306968 )
Brand Spanking New Bus, Leinster, Ireland
A bright shiny new No. 8 bus pictured on O'Connell Street, Dublin. It looks as if these men can't wait to get on board and try it out for size...Thanks to A. P. Luckwill ( apl-irl/ ) for letting us know that t... More
Locomotive That's some test run..., Public domain image
A girl surveys the wreckage and clean up operation after a train crash at Newbridge, Co. Kildare...Date: Friday, 7 September 1962..NLI Ref.: ODEA32/68 ( vtls000148548 )
January 14, 1967, Leinster, Ireland
Four wheel bulk cement wagons (nicknamed "Bubbles") at Kildare Train Station. See the comments below for a ton of information from Flying Snail ( flyingsnail/ ) on these Bubbles.....Ellen-Mai contributed that ... More
April 24, 1960, Leinster, Ireland
This fine trio are Mr J. Malone and his son, accompanied by their terrier who was in full voice by the looks of things, all pictured at Ashtown Train Station, Dublin. The photographer James O'Dea had obviously ... More
September 23, 1963 - A black and white photo of a man in a train car
This is J. Hannigan operating the signal levers in Sallins North signal box, Sallins, Co. Kildare...Date: 23 September 1963..NLI Ref.: ODEA37/42 ( vtls000148623 )
December 24, 1960, Leinster, Ireland
Taken on Christmas Eve, 1960, in the Signal Cabin at Clondalkin, Co. Dublin...Date: 24 December 1960..NLI Ref.: ODEA 22/100 ( vtls000305250 )
Cheers! James and Fred at Furey's Pub...
This is James P. O'Dea (left) and Fred McDonagh raising a glass at a pub in Moyvalley, Co. Kildare. By the looks of the CIÉ logo on Fred's jacket, he was one of the many railway workers all over Ireland, who wo... More
Bantry Bay Steamship Company Office
Following on from the Adrigole Pier ( nlireland/8547179579/ ) photo posted this morning, Tin of beansasked to see this photo entitled "Old notice of Bantry Bay steamship company, Glengarriff, Co. Cork."..Not a... More
At Thurles Railway Station, Co. Tipperary
This is driver Tom Crowe on the right. Unfortunately we don't know his buddy's name, yet!..Date: Sunday, 24 July 1961..NLI Ref.: ODEA 26/61 ( vtls000305595 )
US diesels arrive, North Wall, Co. Dublin
This was the beginning of a change from British to US locomotives in the CIE livery. As the mighty Wikipedia states:.From the early 60s, CIE looked to GM, with their history of reliability. 15 121 Class were pu... More
Gricers on Bloomsday, Leinster, Ireland
Dave & Christy at train, Straffan, Co. Kildare...I am very happy, OwenMacC ( /photos/91549360@N03/ ) has Identified these three men as Dave Murray, Christy Quinn and Fr, O Sullivan, well done Owen...The life o... More
Train station Island Road Station, Co. Sligo - Public domain photograp...
Island Road Station, Co.Sligo, was the second intermediate station on the Ballaghaderreen branch, which ran from Kilfree Junction on the Midland Great Western Railway's Dublin to Sligo line. Island Road had a s... More
2.45pm leaving, Dundalk, Co. Louth
245 leaving, Dundalk, Co. Louth...It seems that this is not No 245 leaving Dundalk but the 2.45pm leaving Dundalk, thanks to OwenMacC ( /photos/91549360@N03/ ) . Owen also tells us that this is a class WT 2-6-... More
January 26, 1970, Cork, Ireland
Cars parked on St. Patrick's Hill in Cork City. Added this one, as it's a mirror image from up the hill of this photo from circa 1900 ( nlireland/6627415775/ ) .....Date: Monday, 26 January 1970..NLI Ref.: ODEA... More
Cargo trains, Limerick City, Co. Limerick.
Eiretrains ( /photos/flyingsnail/ ) Tells us, this whole area of Limerick was known as Carey's Road Yard, one of two large railway goods handling areas in Limerick City (the other being located the passenger ... More
Just a load of Hot Air, Leinster, Ireland
A hot air balloon, captured mid-inflation at the Canal Festival, Robertstown, Co. Kildare...Date: Sunday, 8 August 1971..NLI Ref.: ODEA 83/4 ( vtls000307861 )
February 15, 1970 - A black and white photo of two men in a bus
This is train driver Phil Lyons, captured in action at Westport, Co. Mayo. Phil's companion in the cab is P.J. or Paddy Currivan, former chairman and trustee of the Irish Railway Record Society...Date: Sunday,... More
Valleymount Church, Co. Wicklow
On "All Saints" day we have an image of a church. Not your typical picture postcard church however, but a rather grim looking building that could easily hold the appellation "The Black Church". Taken in Valley... More
Ross Corbett House, Glengarriff, Co. Cork
It would appear that Mr. O'Dea was on his holliers in July 1965 and spent them in the rugged beauty of West Cork. Was "Ross Corbett" the owner or the name of the house and can we locate it?..The short answer i... More
Crash, bang, wallop!, Dublin, Ireland
Mr. O'Dea doing a bit of photo journalism and catching the action almost as it happens? The scene of a collision and quite a serious collision at that with one of the cars on its roof. In 1971 seat belts were... More
Stone plant, Lisduff, Co. Laois
From the gentry of last week to the Rocks this week with an O'Dea shot of the "Stone Plant, Lisduff, Co. Laois". Those were the days when the railway would put in a spur line for a specific product! Given O'D... More
The centre of Ireland, Shannon at Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
From the home of Mike Grimes forbears in Sundays Well to the dead centre of Ireland with Mr. O'Dea for today's shot. We have been here before but not with Mr. O'Dea(?) and facing in the opposite direction...Ph... More
Boat on river, Lanesboro, Co. Longford
We stay in Longford for our third successive photograph, It was pointed out to us that Longford had not featured very often on our stream, we do hope that these few photos will satisfy our contributors in the O... More
Station, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath
Today we are off to "Children of Lir" country in County Westmeath. It looks to me like Mr O'Dea took the photo from inside a Train? I’ve been meaning to make a list of bad railroad puns…but I keep getting sid... More
The Kish in Dun Laoghaire?, Dublin, Ireland
This strange photograph from the lens of James O'Dea this morning! The Kish lighthouse just outside Dun Laoghaire harbour and with that sloping horizon it may slip back in there any minute! Mr. O'Dea kept in ... More
Father and son at Inniscara, Cork, Ireland
A proud father and son on a day out in 1958 at Inniscara, County Cork. O'Dea documented the destruction, or to use a much used word these days, the 'deconstruction' of Ireland's railway system. It went from a... More
Culchies on track for... - Public domain vintage map
So much has changed since the 30th of October 1974? We were at the height of the "Troubles" on this island, there appeared to be no end in sight, yet there was always hope that somebody would come down the tr... More
All that remains of the GNR!, Dublin, Ireland
This shot reminded me of the Cheshire Cat, it faded away until all that was left was the smile! In this case the mighty Great Northern Railway has gone but Mr. O'Dea has discovered the "smile" that remained - ... More
No services? - A black and white photo of a train track
Though perhaps not as picturesque as yesterday's image of the waterworks in Wicklow, the engineering efforts involved in this viaduct and railway cutting are impressive in their own right. Labeled in the catalo... More
The train from Ballaghadereen may be a little late?
It has been a while since we visited Mr. O'Dea's collection and this shot, titled: "Ballaghdereen train & crew, Kilfree Junction, Co. Sligo." with the cabin crew standing on the deck of old 655 was taken at Kil... More
Brittas Ponds, Co. Wicklow, Dublin, Ireland
From Guildford to Crosshaven and now to Brittas in County Wicklow we have been doing a lot of location hopping! It is good that Mr. O'Dea was kind enough to give us the location as I suspect that this shot wou... More
A soft day thank God! - Public domain portrait drawing
A very early O'Dea shot from "out foreign" to end this week. Guildford in 1936, with old cars for the car enthusiasts, old hat for the mad hatters, and rain for those suffering from the drought! I love the sh... More
Slow walk to the Greenore Railway Saloon
Had this image been a few miles further down the coast we could have titled it "Bad day at Blackrock" and brought back memories of Spencer Tracy and the one armed veteran taking on the town! The Greenore Railw... More
Rosenallis - even the name sounds beautiful!
For our first visit to the O'Dea Collection for 2018 we go to the main street of the beautifully named Rosenallis in County Laois. The name conjures up a soft pink colour with the scent of summer roses driftin... More
"Station, Long Pavement, Co. Tipperary" is actually Co. Limerick
Good morning campers! Rather than continue with a saga of Lawrence images, I thought that a visit to the O'Dea Collection would be a nice diversion. 'Long Pavement' is a funny name for a tiny railway station th... More
Queen Street, Dublin City, Co. Dublin
As I was uploading this I had a strange sense that I was seeing a case of "deja vu" all over again. Queen Street, in the ancient heart of Dublin's north side, as it was in 1964. It is one of many streets that ... More
From top of County Hall, Cork City, Co. Cork
On the day ex-Hurrricane "Ophelia" is set to land in Ireland and starting in Cork we thought we should put up another Cork image in solidarity with the people there! This view from the top of the County Hall s... More
De Valera train, Kingsbridge, Dublin City, Co. Dublin.
A rare visit to the O'Dea collection today and a rather unusual image of the "De Valera" train at Kingsbridge, now Heuston, station in Dublin. It would be interesting to know where the Long Fellow was off to i... More
Bridewell, Tarbert, Co. Kerry.
Interestingly we visit Kerry the day after their record win over Derry in the Minor Football Championship. Well done to all concerned. There is already hype over the footballing future of one David Clifford fro... More
Allen Tower, Kildare, Co. Kildare.
Let's see if we can get back to normal this Friday after all the excitement of the last few days. We are off to County Kildare to have a look at Allen Tower. I wager it is close to a railway given this is from ... More
Miss Furey behind the bar, Moyvalley, Co. Kildare
A visit to the delightful bar of Miss Furey in Moyvalley and to the O'Dea Collection today! It looks like a welcoming house and that James was a welcome guest...As well as confirming the mapping location, Beac... More
Virginia Road Station, Virginia, Co. Cavan
I had a colleague who I envied for many years, her annual vacations were always spent with "friends in Virginia". It took me 3 years to realise she was talking about Virginia Co. Cavan rather than its American ... More
Tractor engine, Athy, Co. Kildare
We have not had a good machine for quite a while. I think it was Carol who suggested that we post this particular photo, she obviously has a thing for old engines like this! I wonder if the O'Gormans are still... More
Casts a long shadow! An ESB tractor and wide load on the Naas Road.
Perhaps the alternative title for this should be "wheeling by"? An image from the O'Dea collection of a giant piece of electrical equipment for the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). This was taken out on the Na... More
Canadian destroyer, 304, Albert Quay, Cork City, Co. Cork
I always thought a Canadian Destroyer was an overly robust Ice Hockey player? But no, apparently it is a naval ship and one came to visit Cork way back in 1964. At least the port authorities had the grace to ... More
To hell or to Connacht for dummies?
While Oliver Cromwell was indifferent about how the Irish were to get to either hell or to Connacht the late Queen Victoria was more helpful by providing a bridge to do so! This O'Dea shot from 1963 of the bri... More
Adam Eve's Post Office, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan.
We are very much used to Mr O'Dea showing us the history of the Irish Railway system. On the odd occasion, he shows a quirky side with a photo like this one or his unforgettable Never Argue ( ...nlireland/16950... More
Station Master Nolan standing in front of Lord Maude's private waiting...
A rare visit these days to the O'Dea collection and to Dundrum in County Tipperary. I never heard of Lord Maude before - nor his private waiting room! Imagine the grandeur of that? "This way my Lord, your pr... More
A German Cruiser leaving Dublin after a courtesy visit!
A German naval ship leaving Dublin after a courtesy visit in 1960 just 15 years after World War II. Dublin was a very different port then and the skyline in the background held many features that have changed ... More
Train station Moyasta Junction, County Clare - Public domain photograp...
We have been to Moyasta before, albeit in a different context. I have always had a liking for the West Clare Railway, I like the fact it was narrow gauge and that Percy French song was always a favorite...Today... More
Engine car on test, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
For Thursday we have a different form of transport, if you could call it that, and typically from James O'Dea. A tiny specialist wagon with a strange frame to the front/rear which in a later era might be used ... More
Record tower in Dublin Castle visible, Exchequer Street, Dublin
Described as "Record tower in Dublin Castle visible, Pine's old shop demolished in George's Street, Exchequer Street, Co. Dublin", this O'Dea image ends our week. It was taken when miniskirts were the norm, whe... More
Driver, A. McGrath, 46 Mile cabin, Co. Westmeath.
From the opulence of a goldsmiths in Belfast city centre to the basic comforts of a drivers cab in a locomotive. O'Dea, the great chronicler of change in Ireland's railways during the 1960s and 1970s, has this... More
Humphreystown Bridge, Blessington, Co. Wicklow.
An unusual shot from O'Dea today with a bridge that has no apparent connection to railroads! Humphreystown Bridge is quite unusual and picturesque, I wonder is it still there and in use or has it fallen to "pr... More
Rush & Lusk accident, Rush & Lusk, County Dublin
Giving the Poole collection a (well deserved) break for a while, we return today to the O'Dea collection. This shot captures some seemingly dramatic events. Whether because of the conditions at the time of the ... More
Gleeson O'Dea & Co. Ltd. No. 21-22, Christchurch Place, Dublin City, C...
James P. O'Dea appears to be keeping it in the family in this image with an image of Gleeson O'Dea premises in Christchurch Place, Dublin. A street scene with cars and shopfronts to wet your whistle...Based on... More
I didn't know O'Sullivan was in gaol(?)
The Spring-O'Sullivan bar is in Firies in Co. Kerry and typical of a pub in rural Ireland it could have two or more other businesses operating from under the one roof. In this case the Post Office is right nex... More
Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
An O'Dea shot to end the week with an hotel that could easily move from one county to another if certain moves take place. An unusual shot for O'Dea with no apparent relationship to railways - though he does a... More
Cromaboo bridge, first stone laid in 1796, Athy, Co. Kildare.
Today we move across the border from Laois AKA Queens County to the broad plains of Kildare and a very special stone. The location may not be in doubt but we thought the personalities would make for interestin... More
"S. Silk builder, decorator yard, Co. Dublin" - is actually Woking in ...
From the Strand in Rosslare to suburban Dublin Woking and a silky builder. ..The scene looks familiar but we wondered where it was. And, for the first time in a long time, it took a while to establish a defini... More
Station, Porthall, Co. Donegal.
We'll start the week with an ending! This will be the last O'Dea shot for a little while as we have some other areas to explore. Porthall in Co. Donegal seems to have been a tiny wee station with many a tale ... More
Trains at station, Valentia Harbour, Co. Kerry
Another from the invaluable collection of James P. O'Dea. In this case he provides a date stamp in the form of a note:."O'Dea's handwritten caption on verso of print reads "Valentia Harbour - last day - Saturd... More
Trains passing, Mount Pleasant, Co. Louth.
Mount Pleasant has such a nice ring to it that it seems a nice way to start our week? Perhaps we should have saved this for St. Patricks Day to celebrate its anniversay?..Thanks to O Mac PRO ( /photos/91549360... More