Ballyhooly

Ballyhooly, Co.Cork, was located on the former Mallow to Waterford line. The section of line from Mallow to Fermoy was built by Great Southern & Western Railway in 1860, where it made a connection with the Fermoy & Lismore Railway. Although the station at Ballyhooly served a small village it boasted up & down platforms, a loop and goods yard.


The single storey station building was located on the up platform, and is similar to that built at Castletownroche, featuring distinctive windows. At the south end of the station is the small GSWR wooden built signal cabin, which dates from the 1860s, adjacent to which is the former goods shed and yard. The stone built goods shed is, as well as the signal cabin, is now part of the Old Train House B&B who have preserved these two ancient railway structures. Between the station building and the goods yard is the station masters house, now a private residence. The Mallow to Waterford line ceased operation in 1967. Ballyhooly itself, which had a sparse passenger service, remained a 'switched out' block towards the end.
The single storey station building at Ballyhooly, with the edge of the former up platform visible in the foreground. The structure is similar to that at the other GSWR station building at Castletownroche. Closer view of the distinctive windows on the station building at Ballyhooly. Another feature of these buildings is the interesting design of the wooden roof edging. The wooden roof edging is seen more clearly in this view of Ballyhooly, taken from the station forecourt. It is unclear if the building is a permanent residence. The original gate post at the entrance to Ballyhooly Station, complete with ornate lamp standard. The gate itself appears to date from railway days
At the west end of Ballyhooly Station is the stone built road overbridge, built for double track to accommodate the loop. The road leads back down into the village. Ballyhooly Station, as viewed from the road overbridge, looking east towards Waterford, with the station just visible through the shurbs and trees. A stile and gate posts are located adjacent to the road overbridge, with a path leading down from bridge to the station at Ballyhooly. The east end of Ballyhooly Station, where the signal cabin and goods shed are located. Since closure the station has been divided into three seperate residences. The hedge across the track obscures the station, while in the foreground is the goods loading bank.
The preserved ancient Great Southern & Western Railway signal cabin at Ballyhooly, dating from the 1860s, located at the eastern end of the station. The wooden signal cabin at Ballyhooly is one of the few of the original to survive from when the line first opened, other cabins were rebuilt by the GSWR in the early 1920s. The cabin retains its original window panes. The stone built goods shed at the eastern end of Ballyhooly Station. The shed is well preserved and is now used as the Old Train House B+B. Sign advertising the Old Train House B+B at Ballyhooly's former goods shed. The owners plan to refurbish the GSWR signal cabin also.