Milltown Malbay

Milltown Malbay, Co.Clare, was one of the more important stations on the 1887/95 narrow gauge West Clare Railway, which ran from Ennis to Kilkee and Kilrush on the Shannon Estuary. Despite modernisation, the West Clare line was closed in February 1961 by CIE, and was the last surviving 3ft gauge line in the country. The station at Milltown Malbay had up and down platforms, with the station building located on the down side, which it retains its typical WCR style canopy. The building has however been extended across the platforms to where the goods shed and yard were once located.
The now preserved and restored West Clare Railway 0-6-2 tank loco No.5 'Slieve Callen', departs Miltown Malbay Station with a southbound train. ©Limerick City Museum Milltown Malbay, looking north towards Ennis, showing the 1887 built station, now a B&B. The building has been extended across the former platform sites. The West Clare Railway style station building at Milltown Malbay, located on what was the former down platform. The buildings retains its Victorian canopy. A side on view of the West Clare Railway canopy at Milltown Malbay, which remains in excellent condition. In the foreground is the site of the old up platform to Ennis.
View from the north side of Milltown Malbay, showing the station buildings. The structure on the right is the old good shed, which has been extended considerably since closure in February 1961. A view of one of the cast iron canopy supports at Milltown Malbay. This type of design could be seen at other former West Clare Railway stations. A view of Milltown Malbay Station, looking south towards Kilkee/Kilrush from the noerh end of the station. On the right was once the former goods yard. The former goods or cattle loading bank on the down side of the station at Miltown Malbay. The old goods yard is now used by Clare County Council.
View from the north end of Milltown Malbay Station, looking north to Ennis showing the former trackbed. In the distance a road overbridge can be seen. View from the north end of Milltown Malbay Station, looking north to Ennis showing the former trackbed. In the distance a road overbridge can be seen.