The Cavan & Leitrim Railway
“The Cavan, Leitrim & Roscommon Light Railway & Tramway” opened in 1887, to serve the more remote parts of those three counties. Owing to the withdrawal of support for a “baronial guarantee” from the Roscommon Jury, “Roscommon” was dropped from the original title and the ratepayers of Roscommon refused to let the the rail line cross over the county boundary.
Leitrim Library Local Studies
The Local Studies section of Leitrim County Library in Ballinamore gives access to much further information about the narrow gauge system, including original timetables, newspaper articles and other details from publications such as “The Railway Magazine” and “Railway Bylines”
Songs
There have been some wonderful local documentaries made over the years, with memories, stories, history……and songs!
The most famous Irish “railway” song is probably that written by Percy French about the West Clare Railway system – “Are Ye Right There Michael?” is a comic song written by French when he was delayed and missed a gig because of the slowness of the train!
History of “Are Ye Right There, Michael?”
The Narrow Gauge system in Leitrim also inspired poems and ballads. One of them you will hear part of here about 12 and a half minutes into this brilliant documentary by Mike Mulvihill which gives a very local Leitrim view into the rail system. It is called “The Narrow Gauge” and is sung by Drumshanbo man, Eamonn Daly, accompanied by Orla Daly on harp.
And the song in full…
Whilst this song was said to have been written by a local teacher (Master P O’ Rourke Drumhallowen)
Others have attributed it to local poet and ballad writer, Phil McGoohan.
Whatever its true origin, this seems to have been the most sung of the local “narrow gauge” ballads, although others were written…
Near the end of Mike’s documentary, we hear Gorvagh man, Joe Wrynne, sing another Narrow Gauge song that he picked up from Keelan Gaffney in Mohill.
Another few humorous verses by T Hyland from Ballinamore also appear in the Dúchas collection.
A wonderful rumour I heard in Belfast,
That G.S.R. had been painted at last.
The public declares that there is something wrong,
For it has not been painted for the Lord knows how long.
The G. S. trains are all famed for their speed.
If they tried to go slower they could not suceed.
About ten miles an hour is their usual rate,
But when there’s a rush they’ll reduce it to eight.
You have all heard, I’m sure of their famous Express,
For it stops every mile like a ship in distress.
I’m sure I’m not going too far when I say
That it can take you to Mohill and back in a day
This winter the foot-warmers seem to be scarce.
As regards dirty windows it’s quite the reverse
The carriages seem to be choking with dust,
And even the handles are covered with rust.
When you’re getting home by the light train at night
You get into a carriage and you think you’re alright
But you haven’t got properly stretched at your ease,
When the guard bangs the door and shouts ” Tickets please. ”
There’s Gilheaney, the porter I’m sure you can’t pass
For he’s generally knocking around the first class
Change here for Drumshambo, you’ll hear him shout
But it’s only when travellers are knocking about
With these few short verses I hope you’ve enjoyed,
And I hope that the Manager won’t be annoyed.
I’m sorry for taking your time up so long,
So l think I’ll wind up with the G. S. R song
RTÉ Archives
Listen to J.T. Whelehan Esq., station master at Ballinamore Railway Station, speaking about the narrow gauge
Recorded by Radio Éireann Outside Broadcasting Officers, Sean MacReamoinn and Séamus Ennis, for a programme about County Leitrim, broadcast in November 1947.
And owner Mr Grogan speaking about the Arigna mines
