The first Irish Railway ran from Dublin to Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) and was opened on 17th December 1834.
MAINLINE RAILWAY MILEAGE (5″-3″).
1853 – 840 miles
1872 – 2,091 miles
1894 – 3,044 miles
1920 – 3,442 miles
1939 – 3,183 miles
1946 – 3,153 miles
1957 – 2,557 miles
1972 – 1,550 miles (North & South).

LINE CONSTRUCTION DUBLIN TO GALWAY BY MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN
Railway Section. Construction Began. Completed.
Dublin to Mullingar 8th June 1846 2nd October 1848.
Mullingar to Athlone 1846
Athlone to Galway 19th July 1847 1st August 1851,
LINE CONSTRUCTION FROM ATHENRY TO TUAM AND LIMERICK.
Section. Construction Began. Completed.
Limerick to Ennis 4th August 1853 1859
Ennis to Athenry 20th August 1860 15th September 1869
Athenry to Tuam 23rd July 1858 27th September i860


