Castle Bernard

Castle Bernard, Co.Cork, is located on the western extremity of Bandon town on the former Cork Bandon & South Coast Railway's main line from Cork to Bantry. Originally opened by the West Cork Railway in June 1886 and latterly operated by the CBSCR, the station at Castle Bernard was private, consisting of a single platform adjacent to Bernards Bridge. The private platform, along with a siding was used by the nearby Lord Bandon estate, and was eventually closed in April 1894. The siding however remain in use for goods traffic until closure of the West Cork lines by CIE in March 1961. Today no trace of the platform or siding remains, the site now occupied by a car show room.
This is the site of Castle Bernard Station, looking west towards Bantry. A garage has been constructed on the site of the one time private platform and siding. Adjacent to the site of Castle Bernard Station is this small double arched bridge across the Bridewell River. The adjacent N71 road on the left has been widened considerably since closure of the line in 1961. A view of the overgrown trackbed on the Bridewell River bridge, adjacent to Castle Bernard. This view is looking east towards Cork. Just beyond this point the line originally crossed the N71 on an overbridge. Adjacent to Castle Bernard is the road bridge across the Bridewell River, dating from 1823.
The site of the level crossing at Castle Bernard. A crossing gate post remains in situ on the right. Unlike the private platform, the siding remained in use until closure of the line in March1961.