Ireland's disused tunnels

Ireland’s disused tunnels

Just as happened in the UK, the Fifties and Sixties saw many of Ireland’s railways closed in the name of rationalisation, including most of the Republic’s branch lines. Although the network was quite extensive, the number of disused tunnels is relatively small. There are however several notable structures including one within a hair’s breadth of a mile in length.

As is the case with our main tunnels database, we have looked for links to photographs or information about each entry. The ‘Portal’ links takes you to an aerial view showing the portal’s location. For tunnels in the Republic of Ireland, an additional link is provided to mapping on the OSI website.

If you can help with any details, omissions or corrections, please click the ‘contact us’ link in the sidebar to get in touch. All information will be gratefully received.

Current total: 25

All Tunnels (25)

Tunnel Name(s)	Company	Yards	Trks	Open	Closed	Portal		Link
Barnagh
Barnagh	L&K	125~	1	1880	1975
Brabazon
Brabazon	D&W	37(g)	1	1855	1876
Capecastle
Capecastle	Bally	66	1	1880	1950
The Ballycastle Railway was a 3'00" narrow gauge line.
Carlisle Pier
Carlisle Pier	D&K	45(g)	1	1859	1980
Connabury
Connabury	D&E	57(g)		1849	1960
Drung (Druach) Hill No.1
Drung (Druach) Hill No.1	GS&W	120	1	1893	1960
Drung (Druach) Hill No.2
Drung (Druach) Hill No.2	GS&W	91	1	1893	1960
Drung Hill Covered Way
Drung Hill Covered Way	GS&W	50	1	1893	1960
Dungannon
Dungannon	PD&O	814	1	1861	1965
Durrow (Ballyvoyle)
Durrow (Ballyvoyle)	WD&L	418	1	1878	1982
Gogginshill (Ballinhassig)
Gogginshill (Ballinhassig)	Ck&Bd	906	1	1851	1961
Kilpatrick
Kilpatrick	Ck&Bd	164~		1849	1961
Lissummon
Lissummon	N&A	1759	1	1864	1957
Lissummon Tunnel was constructed from six shafts but none was retained for ventilation purposes.
Loughgilly
Loughgilly	N&A	365	1	1864	1957
Moore Vale
Moore Vale	N&E	58(g)	1	1854	1965
Mount Elliot
Mount Elliot	DW&W	740(g)	1	1887	1963
Newport
Newport	MGW	133	1	1894	1937
Newport (Diversion)
Newport (Diversion)	MGW	88	1	1896	1937
Passage No.1
Passage No.1	CB&P	157(g)	1	1902	1932
Passage No.2
Passage No.2	CB&P	361(g)	1	1902	1932
The tunnel at Passage West is split into two distinct structures by passing through a quarry, creating a gap of around 17 yards for ventilation purposes.
Prospect Hill
Prospect Hill	MGW	80(g)	1	1895	1935
Queen's Bridge Subway
Queen's Bridge Subway	BC	131		1881	1963
Snow Hill
Snow Hill	F&R	217	1	1906	2010
Services on the Rosslare-Waterford line, through Snow Hill Tunnel, ended on 18th September 2010 although reports indicate that the route is still being maintained as an engineers' siding.
St Patrick's Churchyard
St Patrick's Churchyard	WC	32~		1866	1961
Whitehead
Whitehead	C&L	145	1	1862	1994