The Railway Station
The Ardagh railway station was opened on the 1st of January 1867 with the opening of the line from Limerick to Newcastle West. After thirteen years the line was extended to Tralee on 1st January 1945. Almost the entire railway station became a semi-state company under the title Coras Iompair Eireann.

In the early 1930's there were ten train services between Limerick and Tralee.Special trains transported livestock from fairs at Ratkeale, Newcastlewest, Abbeyfealeand Listowel. The railway station also benefited from the creamery because it brought people to Ardagh village on a regular basis. and also the train service was vital for the delivary of milk and other goods.The station in Ardagh was closed in Febuary 1963. It had been used as a printing works which operated up to1988. At the present moment the building is privately owned and is in good repair.

.

Ardagh Co.OP
In 1891 Fr Bob Ambrose and Edward W.O'Brien ( son of William Smith O'Brien) founded the Ardagh creamary. It was regarded as one of the most successful creamarys in the country. It's opening was benifical both economically and socially to the surrounding area. Being situated on a site next to the railway station ensured that the transport of butter was at a minimum expense and that their requirements would be delivered quickly. It provided employment at a time when job opportunities were scarce.


The businesses in the village thrived as a result of the extra revenue generated by the creamary. The amalgamation with Ballyclough Co.op. in Mallow took place in 1974 and was the main base in West Limerick for Ballyclough.With the formation of Dairygold in 1990 it began trading as "Superstores". During 1994 they purchased a new building on the Newcastle- West Shanagolden Road, which was officially opened on the 6th of June 1996. It provides general hardware, household goods and all farm requirements.