Wicklow Murrough

Wicklow Murrough, was the first station to be built in Wicklow town, when the Dublin & Wicklow Railway opened their line south from Bray in November 1855. In 1861, the DWWR extended the line south to Rathdrum, and ultimately to Wexford. The extension south diverged from the mainline at Wicklow Junction, just prior to the 1855 built terminus station. The original terminus station was subsequently replaced in 1885 when a station was opened on the new alignment just west of the Murrough.

Meanwhile, Wicklow Murrough remained in use for goods and excursion traffic until the late 1970s, as well as handling some suburban trains until 1967. By the late 1980s, the station was derelict and line was disconnected at Wicklow Junction, and was finally lifted by 1988. Today, the D&WR brick station building remains, complete with platform retaining wall and granite supported porch. There were also sidings and tramways which led from the station down to the harbour in Wicklow town. The cabin at Wicklow Jct also remains in situ, out of use since 1927.
The typical Dublin & Wicklow Railway station building at the Murrough, Wicklow. It retains much of its original features such as wooden roof edging, as well as platform retaining wall. Seen beside the station building, CIE AEC built railcar No.2600 stands at the somewhat derelict Murrough Station in 1957. The station had been closed to regular passenger services since 1885. ©Wilson Adams Collection In original 1950s silver livery, Crossley engined A Class loco No.A57 is seen shunting a train at the goods shed at the Murrough in 1957. A57 was eventually scrapped in 1994. ©Wilson Adams Collection The D&WR Murrough terminus at Wicklow, as viewed from what was the single platform. On the right is the platform retaining wall. Much of the station site is now a car park.
The Murrough Station in Wicklow, as viewed from the roadside. It retains its porch canopy, supported by granite pillars. The terminus station was opened in October 1855. Wicklow Jct, looing north towards Dublin. In the foreground is the trackbed of the former line leading to the Murrough Station, which originally converged here with the main Dublin to Rosslare line, visible on the left. On the right is the large DWWR signal cabin, taken out of use by the Great Southern Railway in 1927. The large 1877 built DWWR signal cabin, which controlled Wicklow Junction. It was taken out of use by the GSR in 1927. After many years of disuse, the line leading into the Murrough Station was removed in 1988. This was the adjacent level crossing on the Rosslare line at Wicklow Jct, looking north towards Dublin. On the left is a building belonging to a former rail served chemical plant.
The level crossing at the former Wicklow Jct has since been replaced by a new overbridge, from where this view of 071 Class loco No.073 is obtained, operating the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland 'Best of Both' railtour to Arklow. This is the building which belonged to a former chemical plant, adjacent to Wicklow Jct. The Dublin South Eastern Railway built a siding on the up side of the line to serve it. A rather rusty looking DWWR water tower, located adjacent to Wicklow Junction, once served steam locomotives shunting the chemical plant siding.