Trams

Trams in Terenure

Tram at Terenure Cross

The tramway opened on the 1^st of August 1888.The line was almost 16 miles long was a single track laid on one side of the road and was quite unprotected. The main stations were in Terenure, Templeogue, Balrotherty, Tallaght, Jobstown, Embankment, Crooksling, Brittas, The Lamb and Blessington. The trams max speed was 12 miles per hour and the journey to Blessington could take almost two hours with stops to other stations included.Fares were reasonable excursion rates to Poulaphouca and back were 2s. 6d. first class and 1s. 6d. third class.Unfortunately the line never was a financial success.The number of passengers on week days was too small.

The trams consisted of a light engine, one first class and one or two third class carriages. The first class carriages were closed in but the third class ones while having roofs had no sides.The engine was always making thick black smoke which made it very uncomfortable for the passengers especially the third class ones.

Rules on the tram

Tram and Carriages on Terenure Road East

Accidents on the Trams

There were a number of fatal accidents because of the proximity of the line to the public road and residence. As a result the line was called ‘the longest graveyard in Europe’, The Templeogue Inn was called ‘The Morgue’ and a sign on the gable end of Templeogue Cottages warned ‘Beware of the Trams’. The Tramway closed on the 31^st of December 1932.

The Last Tram from Terenure

The Last Tram

Electric trams began to replace the horse-drawn vehicles at about 1897, and after five years the system was all-electric. An unusual feature was the destination symbol, e.g. a red metal triangle displayed prominently on top for Terenure (via Rathgar) and a green Maltese Cross for Rathfarnham. In 1918 numbers were introduced: 15, Terenure - Nelson Pillar; 16, Terenure - Whitehall; 17, Rathfarnham - Drumcondra.

The last tram to Rathfarnham ran on May 31, 1939, and the final Terenure-Pillar entered Terenure shed on October 31st , 1948.