Station for Oranmore next year as Limerick rail link opens

Date Published: {J}

By Darragh McDonagh

THE Minister for Transport has announced that a new railway station will be opened in Oranmore next year.

Iarnród Éireann are preparing a planning application for the location of the station at a site at Garraun, while Galway County Council are expected to acquire adjoining land for the provision of a park and ride facility.

Minister Noel Dempsey made the announcement after the first passenger train in more than 30 years to traverse the Limerick to Galway rail corridor arrived on time at Ceannt Station yesterday afternoon.

Hundreds of locals turned out to greet the train at stations in Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell and Athenry to mark the historical occasion.Chairman of CIE Dr John Lynch said that if the enthusiasm witnessed at rural stations along the route was anything to go by, there was no doubt that this was going to be a very successful line.

Minister Dempsey said that a planning application for the new station at Oranmore would be made in the coming months and expected the facility to open next year. The cost of the project has been included in the €106.5 million outlay for phase one of the Western Rail Corridor.The announcement was welcomed by Galway West Deputy Frank Fahey, who was part of a delegation of local representatives who met with Dr Lynch to discuss the issue in recent weeks.

“I was delighted to hear Iarnród Éireann confirm that they will soon be applying for planning permission for the station in Oranmore with a view to working towards the opening of the new station next year,” he said.

“Now that we have confirmation that the station is to be built, I have asked Galway County Council to proceed as quickly as possible with land acquisition of the adjoining site for the provision of a park and ride facility.”

There was some disappointment for Western Rail Corridor campaigners however, as Minister Dempsey declined to commit to a timeframe for the implementation of phase two of the project.

However, Minister Dempsey said that he would have to fight for the necessary funding to complete the outstanding phases of the Western Rail Corridor, which would see the line extended from Athenry to Tuam and Claremorris.