West Clare Railway Shield

This shield and many like it would have been located over the door of the stations of the West Clare Railway. In many respects it would represent the modern day corporate logo.

The West Clare Railway was a narrow gauge line, which operated from 1887-1961 and had a branch line to Kilrush. The 3-foot gauge railway ran through magnificent scenery, although deficient tracks, underpowered locomotives and the vagaries of the weather meant initially there were considerable delays. Journey time improved in later years and the line was popular with visitors to Lahinch, Lisdoonvarna and Kilkee, as well as for those attending fairs and for cattle transport.

The line was nominally run by the West Clare Railway and the South Clare Railway, but in practice, it was operated by the one company. It was taken over in 1925, by the Great Southern Railway Company which in turn became Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE) in 1945, and the lines were closed in 1961.

Ref: 2000.167

Transport Collection
The West Clare Railway
West Clare Railway Map
Wood Collection
Insigna Collection