The Building

The role of the railway was vital in the development of Queenstown

The first passenger train ran on the Cork to Queenstown route on 10th March 1862 and the line soon became one of the busiest in the country.

The railway greatly enhanced Queenstown’s role as a port, allowing emigrants, mail, military supplies and trade goods to be transported easily to the town.

The railway was the usual form of transport by which emigrants reached Queenstown. Travelling from their homes in all parts of Ireland, but particularly the south and west, emigrants were a common sight in Queenstown in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Between 1876 and 1899 over 670,000 emigrants joined liners at Queenstown, mainly in the months between April and September. Over 1,000 emigrants per week could pass through the port during these busy months. The local economy benefited as lodging houses, shipping agencies, shops and other businesses catered for this trade.