This illustrated talk, will focus on the last commercial narrow-gauge railway line to operate in the country, the sometimes infamous “West Clare Railway” which served the communities of West and South Clare from 1888 until 1961. It will feature many rare photographs, diagrams and drawings. It will look at some of the people who worked on the line; those who travelled on it and also lamented its passing.

About the Speaker:

Joe Coleman has spent over 39 years in various roles working in road transport with CIE & Bus Éireann until retiring in 2017. He has a great passion for railways and published the bestselling book: “Falling Gradient”- ‘Limerick’s Railway Connections, the people and the times’ in 2016. He has given a number of lectures on the subject of local railway lines in various locations around the south west.
Joe’s other publications include: “House Full”(2014) – ‘An affectionate look back at the old cinema’s and theatres of Limerick…’ and “The Breaking Rapids” (2018) – ‘Aspects of the Treaty Riverside City and its environs…..’. All but the latter are now out of print. Joe is also a Distinguished Toastmaster and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Ireland).

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