The Hill of Howth Tramway

[rogerfarnworth]

At the end of a fortnight's holiday in Co. Donegal my wife and I had 3 nights staying close to Dublin. We chose to stay in Howth as it was at the Northern end of the DART, but perhaps also because of its history and particularly for the Hill of Howth Tramway, or to give it it's formal title, "The Sutton and Howth Electric Tramway." The tramway should not be confused with the Clontaff and Hill of Howth Tramroad.

The Hill of Howth Tramway

At the end of a fortnight’s holiday in Co. Donegal my wife and I had 3 nights staying close to Dublin. We chose to stay in Howth as it was at the Northern end of the DART, but perhaps also be…

rogerfarnworth.com

The Tramway served Howth Head, near Dublin. The termini were at Sutton railway station, by the entrance to the peninsula, and Howth railway station by the village and harbour of Howth.

The tramway operated from 17th June 1901 to 31st May 1959 and was run by the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) (GNR(I)), which viewed it as a way to bring more customers to its railway stations at Sutton and Howth. The tramway replaced a horse bus service, which had run since 1867.

 

[Calthrop]

Most interesting -- thank you. I'd been aware of the Hill of Howth Tramway, though in considerably less detail than this item of yours gives; but had been quite unaware that there had once been a conventional tram route, part of Dublin's city system, Dublin -- Howth direct. (Incidentally, 1959 was a dreadful year for closures "all round", wasn't it?)

I've always been tickled by the "trivia" item to the effect that for about a quarter of a century, the Great Northern Railway of Ireland operated regular workings with four different varieties / modes of motive power: steam of course; diesel (they got early and enthusiastically into railcars for lesser passenger services); horse (Fintona); and electric (Hill of Howth Tramway) !

 

[rogerfarnworth]

Most interesting -- thank you. I'd been aware of the Hill of Howth Tramway, though in considerably less detail than this item of yours gives; but had been quite unaware that there had once been a conventional tram route, part of Dublin's city system, Dublin -- Howth direct. (Incidentally, 1959 was a dreadful year for closures "all round", wasn't it?)

I've always been tickled by the "trivia" item to the effect that for about a quarter of a century, the Great Northern Railway of Ireland operated regular workings with four different varieties / modes of motive power: steam of course; diesel (they got early and enthusiastically into railcars for lesser passenger services); horse (Fintona); and electric (Hill of Howth Tramway) !

I appreciate the feedback Calthrop.

 

[rogerfarnworth]

1953. ... August of that year.

This is a note about a visit to Ireland by members of the Light Railway Transport League in June 1953 which included a visit to Sutton and Howth

The Modern Tramway – Part 4 – Touring Ireland’s Light Railways in June 1953.

The featured image above shows one of the last tram journeys in Belfast. This tram is travelling along Castle Place on 27th February 1954, heading for Ardoyne Depot. [7] In ‘The Modern Tramwa…

rogerfarnworth.com