Kilkenny MacDonagh railway station

The station opened on 12 May 1848 as the terminus of the Waterford and Kilkenny Railway. On 14 November 1850 the Irish South-Eastern Railway connection to was opened, which branched off at Lavistown. In 1867 the line from Waterford was extended from Kilkenny to (formerly Maryborough). This line closed in 1962. A branch line from Kilkenny to Castlecomer was opened in 1919 and closed on 1 January 1963. The old station can be seen at the bottom of the platforms, facing north. There were 3 platforms: 2 through, and 1 bay facing Waterford/Dublin via Carlow. The two through tracks carried on over a bridge, onwards to Maryborough (Now Portlaoise) or Castlecomer. This allowed running of trains from Dublin to Waterford without the need for a runaround. However, when many rural lines in the Irish Railway network shut down, the station reverted to its current state. The old Building had separate waiting-rooms for Ladies and Gentlemen and an underpass to the island platform. Formerly, locomotives could run around here, although since 2011 this is not possible any more. ==Present day==

In 2011 the tracks northwest of the two platforms were lifted, and a connection between the two platforms was built across them. This provides level access to Platform 2, creating a layout similar to Howth railway station and abolishing the runaround facility. The footbridge, formerly the only connection between the platforms, was difficult to climb during cold weather. The old cargo shed south of the tracks has been transformed into the new station building and is equipped with • 1 TVM • A ticket office • A now defunct FasTrack office • A small shop • Toilets It is fully accessible with a ramp from outside. ==Services==

The current Monday to Saturday service pattern is: • 7 trains per day to Waterford • 7 trains per day to Dublin Heuston On Sundays, the service pattern is: • 4 trains per day to Waterford • 4 trains per day to Dublin Heuston ==Bus links==

Bus Éireann services 073 & 374 stop outside the station at a bus shelter at the side of the station. ==See also==