Howth Tramway - transportsceneireland

Howth Tramway

A photographic survey of the route of the former Hill of Howth Tramway on Saturday 30/04/2011

The tramway opened in 1901 by the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) and closed in 1959. More history of the route can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_of_Howth_Tramway

The start of the line at Howth station. On the left is the former GNRI Station Master's house. The tram started at ground level behind the house and then rose up to cross over the road in front of the station on a bridge. The abutments still stand today.
Looking along the pathway built on the former line. The line continued across the road on the bridge where the tree now stands. The yellow building with the four chimney stacks is the railway station.
The railway station at Howth which is now mostly a pub/restaurant. The tram bridge was across here.
A final ground level view of where the bridge used to cross the road at Howth station.
Looking along the footpath back towards the former bridge and the station at Howth.
Looking along the former route heading towards the summit. The path follows the back of some buildings along here.
The line curves towards what is nowadays the Evora Park housing estate in Howth but when the line was open this would have just been fields.
Looking back down the former line towards Howth Station.
Looking down the line. On the right is the present Evora Crescent housing estate. On the left is the golf course.
Looking up along the former line with Grace O'Malley housing estate on the left. the footpath follows the old alignment pretty closely here - it really did twist and wind across this section.
No idea what this remnant in the bushes is. May be tram related? Grace O'Malley Road.
Looking down the line again at Grace O'Malley Road. The path diverges from the line here, as the route went off to the right.
Looking down the path where it joins Grace O'Malley Drive. The tram route was off to the right, approximately seven houses over.
The view on Balglass Road looking towards the village of Howth. The tramline crossed this road at this point, going from left to right. On the left is the current Balkill Park housing estate, the road of which is built on the tramline.
Further along the route and Fingal County Council have been good enough to put up a history of the tram route, except the elements have taken their course.
Looking down the former route, back towards Balkill Park.
Another view from the line over Howth Village and out to Ireland's Eye, and part of Lambay Island on the right.
Looking up the line towards Dungriffan Road. There was a passing loop in the area in this picture as most of the tram route was single line.
The remains of a former tram pole?
Looking back from Dungriffin Road where the former passing loop was.
This is where the line crossed the Dungriffan Road. The path can be seen continuing on the right side of the tree.
The other side of the Dungriffan Road looking along the former route. The historic Ordnance Survey Map suggests this was also a trackway for other traffic as well as for trams.
Looking down the route showing the climb the trams had to endure,
The site were the tramway crossed Grey's Lane.
Looking along the former route towards the summit.
Looking back down the route towards Grey's Lane.
Looking up along the route. This part here is used by more than just walkers.
Although from this part on the route deteriorates a bit.
The final road crossing before the summit is at Kitestown Road.
Looking back down the line at Kitestown Road. The tramway was on the left of the tree in the middle, were the wall is.
Looking along the final stretch towards the summit.
Again looking along the line towards the summit.
Looking back down the line towards Howth.
The end of the first part is in sight. The path diverges from the tramway here slightly as it joins the road straight on while the line curved right.
Where the path joins the road at the Summit. As mentioned the line turned towards the left hand side of the picture at the wall.
The Summit Inn at Howth. The road in the foreground is built on the former tram route.
The yellow/orange wall is where the path emerges. The road and grass area on the left was the Tram Stop for the summit. It had a passing loop and a siding.
EV 83 at the terminus of the 31, the current form of public transport to the summit.
The Carricbrack Road which was built on the former tram route, heading down towards Sutton.
The Carrickbrack Road near the recycling area and car park.
On the left is the Carrickbrack Road built on the former tram route. There was a passing loop just past the bend. On the right is Thormanby Road the original road to the summit.
Curious hook on the wall of the Stella Maris Convent.
Looking along the Carrickbrack Road at the convent with the Poolbeg Chimneys in Dublin's Docklands visible.
The Carrickbrack Road where it gets close to the sea.
EV 15 on the 31B on the Carrickbrack Road. Following the closure of the tram line a number of replacement bus services were operated. This is the current incarnation of that service. This piece of road is an original road which shared space with the tram line.
Another relic of the past on the Carrickbrack Road.
Looking along the Carrickbrack Road at St. Fintan's Cemetery. Behind the camera there was a passing loop, and further down the road where the car is there was also a passing loop. The tramline was on the left hand side of the road.
Looking back up the Carrickbrack Road towards the summit.