Over a century of local history celebrated with heritage blue plaque in Tramore in County Waterford
Metropolitan Mayor Cllr. Lola O'Sullivan with Chair of Waterford Civic Trust, Eugene Broderick and Waterford Civic Trust Members Jarleth, Brendan Grogan, Cian Manning, Mary O'Halloran, Des Griffen and Donal Brazil. Photo: John Power
A sun-soaked Tramore seen the unveiling of the first of two Waterford Civic Trust heritage blue plaques marking the old Waterford Tramore railway line.
Metropolitan Mayor, Councilor Lola O’ Sullivan unveiled the new heritage plaque alongside Waterford Civic Trust at the former Tramore Railway Station on Friday, July 17.
The plaque is the first of two that Waterford Civic Trust issued to celebrate the historic Waterford and Tramore Railway, with a second blue plaque to be unveiled in Railway Square later this year, marking the site of the former Manor Street terminus.
The railway, which was opened on September 5, 1853 and ran for over 107 years, holds a unique place in Irish history as the only railway running on one single line. Its closure in December 1960, caused widespread outrage and upset in both Waterford city and Tramore.
At the unveiling, Cllr Lola O’Sullivan recalled how the railway had a special place in the hearts of those living in Waterford and Tramore, at a time when cars were not as common as they are now.
"For Tramore people, it connected them with the city, allowing them to commute to and from it with ease. For Waterford people, it was the means of coming to Tramore, to enjoy its beautiful beach and relax at the seaside on a warm summer day. This short railway line helped bring real joy and pleasure into the lives of so many," she said.
The Vice-Chair of the Waterford Civic Trust, Cian Manning, informed and entertained the large attendance with a historic overview of the railway, saying: "This railway line not only transported holidaymakers seeking the sands of Tramore or racegoers to indulge in the thrill of a sporting spectacle, it formed a fulcrum of memories of seaside trips for generations, acting as a lifeblood to Tramore, but also providing livelihoods to those who served its efforts."
Chair of Waterford Civic Trust, Eugene Broderick, noted that the Trust is best known for its association with blue plaques, which are a distinctive and noteworthy feature of Waterford’s streetscape.
Over 70 plaques have been erected in Waterford since 1990, and these record different aspects of the city’s history. In recent times, the Civic Trust has put up plaques outside of Waterford City.
Two years ago, the first Blue Plaque was put up in Tramore, remembering the opening of the Coast Guard Station in 1874. A full list of all the heritage plaques erected across Waterford city and county can be found on the Waterford Civil Trust's website.
