Ballynahinch

Ballynahinch Station, Co.Galway, was once located on the Midland Great Western Railway's Galway to Clifden line. Opened in November 1895, the 48 mile government funded line was constructed with the main aim of providing access to some of the remotest parts of the county. The railway however lasted just 40 years, been closed by the Great Southern Railway in April 1935.

Ballynahich Station itself is located off the R341 road and was one of the few to feature staggered up & down platforms on the MGWR network. Today the main red bricked built station building remains remarkably intact, having been restored in the 1990s, along with the former goods shed. A replica signal cabin has been placed on the original brick base of the structure, located on the up side of the station. The station was also once the main rail head for the nearby Ballynahinch Castle estate.
The attractive red bricked station building at Ballynahinch. It is a substantial structure like others constructed on the former Galway to Clifden line. Built in 1895, it last saw a passenger in April 1935 when the Great Southern Railway closed the line. ©Mark Healy A view of Ballynahinch, looking east towards Galway from the former station level crossing. In the background can be seen the station buildings, including the signal cabin, although the wooden structure of the cabin is not original. To the right was the goods yard. ©Mark Healy The stone built goods shed at Ballynahinch, located at the west end of the former station. The main station building and the goods shed are now seperate private residences, having been restored in the 1990s. This is the western approach to Ballynahinch Station, as viewed from the former trackbed. In this view can be seen the former level crossing. The station's location is one of the most scenic in Ireland, with in the background the 'Twelve Bens' mountain range looming above. ©Mark Healy
The former station level crossing at Ballynahinch, which is located on a small country lane off the R341 road. On the left can be seen one of the original concrete gate posts. The original gates themselves were intact until 15 years ago. ©Mark Healy A cast iron plate bridge, located at the western end of Ballynahinch Station, viewable from the R341 road. The former railway bridge spans the River Owenmore which leads from the Ballynahinch Lake located some miles north of the station. ©Mark Healy