Dalkey Quarry

Dalkey, south Dublin, was the originating point for one of the first tramways to be built in Ireland. In the early 19th century the large deposits of granite rock in the concerned area had been established at Dalkey Hill, and in 1815 quarrying began at the site, primarily for use in the construction of the harbour further north at Dun Laoghaire. Between the years 1815 and 1817, a horse drawn tram route was constructed and operated from the quarry to Dun Laoghaire. The route featured a steep ascent to the quarry at Dalkey, as well as some cuttings on the approach to Dun Laoghaire, with tracks for the tramway been laid on granite slabs. The Dalkey Quarry Tramway ceased operating shortly after quarry closed in 1817.

In 1844 however, the Atmospheric Railway in Dalkey utilised the former trackbed between Dun Laoghaire to a point near Dalkey town. The Atmospheric Railway was later converted to conventional railway use in 1854 by the Dublin & Wicklow Railway, which still used the route of the former tramway. Today, the quarry at Dalkey is now quiet, and is open to the public. The trackbed of the tramway between the quarry to a point near where it joins the Dublin to Rosslare railway line is intact, with even some of granite slabs remaining in situ.
The approach to the former quarry in Dalkey. Quarrying had begun at the site in 1815, and the tramway was built shortly after to transport the stone from the site to Dun Laoghaire Harbour. It ceased operating sometime after 1817. This view is looking north towards Dun Laoghaire from the quarry and it where the former horse drawn tramway begins. When quarrying ceased in 1917, and area was incorperated into the existing Killiney Hill Park. No photographic material exists of the former tramway. A view from the top of the tramway summit just before it begins its steep descent down towards Dun Laoghaire. Dublin Bay provides a nice backdrop this location. A view along the descent towards Dun Laoghaire on the trackbed of the former tramway, looking up towards Dalkey Quarry. The original stone granite bases for the tramway track still survive as seen here.
| Some sort of granite block with traces of an iron attachment, seen embeded in the soil along side the trackbed of the tramway. A view from Dalkey Avenue, looking south up towards Dalkey Quarry. This section of the trackbed is named Ardbrugh Close. Looking the opposite way north towards Dun Laoghaire, the landscape has obviously been altered since the tram was in operation in 1817, and no trace of the trackbed exists from here to where it joins the Dublin to Rosslare railway line. Viewed from across the park adjacent to Dalkey Avenue, the steep ascent of the tramway trackbed can clearly be seen, as well as more of those granite paving slabs, used as a foundation base for the tracks.
This is the approach to where the tramway joins the formation of the present Dublin to Rosslare railway line at Barnhill Rd. The quarry tramway from here to Dun Laoghaire was utilised by the Amospheric Railway from 1844 onwards, itself converted into the present railway in 1854. The Dublin to Rosslare line is on the left and the former Dalkey Quarry tram route converges from the right, now the pedestrian laneway. Behind the photographer is Barnhill Rd overbridge and beyond that is the former Atmospheric Railway terminus.