Killeagh

Killeagh, Co.Cork, was one of the intermediate stations on the Cork & Youghal Railway line from Cobh Jct to the seaside town of Youghal, which was opened in May 1860, and was latterly operated by the Great Southern & Western Railway. Regular passenger services to Youghal ceased in February 1963, but the line remained in use for regular goods and Sunday excursions up to the late 1970s and 1980s. In 2009 however, passenger services were restored as far as Midleton, however the remaining section to to Youghal remains derelict. Killeagh Station had just one platform, on which a small single storey station building stands. This structure and the nearby signal cabin remain in situ, though derelict. There was a small goods shed and a siding but this has been removed.
This is the overgrown station at Killeagh, looking east towards Youghal from the adjacent road overbridge. The last train to Youghal ran in 1986 and the line has been disused ever since. Killeagh Station, as it was in June 1991 showing the disused track and overgrown siding serving the corrugated iron goods shed, which has since been demolished. ©Adrian Nicholls The disused 1860 brick built Cork & Youghal Railway station building at Killeagh. This view is looking east towards Youghal from the single platform. The building once featured a wooden canopy. Killeagh Station, as viewed from the overgrown track, which remains in situ on this section of the disused Youghal line. The station once featured a siding, now totally covered over in trees and shrubs.
Killeagh, as viewed from the station forecourt. This type of small single storey building can be seen at many stations on the lines to Cobh and Youghal in east Cork. A view looking along the disused platform at Killeagh, showing the state of the overgrown track. The last train to call here was a Knock pilgrimage special in April 1986. The large base stone built base of the former water tower at the east end of Killeagh Station. The tank section has long since been removed. A view from the east end of Killeagh Station, looking towards Youghal. On the left is the disused signal cabin. The track between the former level crossing here to Youghal has been lifted.
The Great Southern & Western Railway built signal cabin at Killeagh, located at the east end of the station, which up the 1980s was perfectly maintained. The lever frame remains in situ. The name board above on the gable end of the structure appears to have been removed. Killeagh signal cabin in happier times, looking quite neat and tidy during the summer of 1984. In this view are the crossing gates and name board, which have now disappeared. ©Mark Healy This is the site of the former level crossing at Killeagh, located at the east end of the station adjacent to the former signal cabin. The crossing gates have long since been removed and track covered over. The approach to the former level crossing at Killeagh Station, with the rear of the signal cabin prominant alongside the road. A permanent fence has been constructed across the former trackbed. This road leads into Killeagh village.
On the east side of Killeagh level crossing was the beet loading platform, where until 1982 sugar beet was unloaded from tractor trailers into railway wagons. The trackbed along here is totally overgrown. The Cork & Youghal Railway built station masters house, located adjacent to Killeagh station forecourt. The building dates from the 1880s. Although the Youghal line lost its regular passenger service in February 1962, it remained open for goods traffic until 1982. Here, 141 Class loco No.B174, in black & tan livery, approaches Killeagh with the Cork to Youghal goods train in 1975. ©Jonathan M.Allen This is the view today, with the disused track to Youghal covered in debris. This location is the second road overbridge west of Killeagh near Ballyquirke level crossing.
Just west of Killeagh is Ballyquirke level crossing. The gate posts and the inbeded rails survive on this lifted section of the disused Youghal line. This is the much extended gate keepers house at Ballyquirke level crossing, located west of Killeagh. Ballyquirke level crossing, looking east towards Killeagh. The track along here was lifted in the late 1980s. The original level crossing gates at Ballyquirke have been replaced by standard farm gates. This view is looking west to Youghal, showing the embeded rails in the roadway.