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DUBLIN T0 WESTPORT – By Midland Great Western Railway
Distances : Mullingar 50 m.; Athlone 78 m. ; Manulla Junction 146 m.; Westport 161 m.;
Ward’s Thorough Guide to Ireland 1891 – Part 2
The morning down trains and most of the up trains connect by short trains with North Wall. Dublin to Westport, 5 to 7 hrs. Fares to Westport, 30s. 2d., 25s 2d, 15s 1d.
The circular tickets (p. 172) for the “Connemara Tour” include one journey either way between Westport and Ballina. The railway from Galway to Clifden now (1891) in progress will modify this tour.
Refreshment Rooms : Dublin, Mullingar, Athlone.
The routes to Ballina and Westport are identical as far as Manulla Junction, 146 m.
On leaving Broadstone Terminus (plan B, 4) we see, right, O‘Connell’s Monument at Glasnevin and, left, the Wellington Testimonial, in Phoenix Park. The line on to Mullingar follows closely the Royal Canal which connects that town with Dublin. Passing Blanchardstown, 4 ½ m., the Dublin Observatory is on Dunsink Hill, right. At Clonsilla, 7 m., is the Junction for Trim and Navan; see Ireland, Part I. Onward to Lucan, 9 m., we obtain pretty views, left, across the Liffey valley to the Dublin Mountains.
Lucan, a village about 1 ¼,. S., prettily situated on the Liffey, is served from Dublin by steam-cars running from Parkgate (p. 13). Its fame as a spa has departed but . it is still a favourite residential neighbourhood.
Next, right., is seen the ruined tower of Confely Castle, and we cross the Rye Water to Leixlip, 11 m.
The station is ¾ m N.W. of Leixlip, and about a mile from the picturesque 
Salmon-leap on the Liffey, whose waters there form a broken fall. Leixlip Castle, an Anglo-Norman foundation, is on the river bank. It has been converted into a private residence.
Celbridge, the home of Swift’s “Vanessa“ (Esther Vanhomrigh), is 3 ½ m. S.W.
from Leixlip 1 ½ m. N. from Hazlehatch on the G.S.& W.R.
Maynooth (15 m.; Hotel: Leinster Arms, 31nin. From Station) is a town of about 1200 inhab. Near the station are
Maynooth Village, Co Kildare
the ruins of the castle of the Geraldines of Kildare, which was founded in 1176, and much strengthened in
1426. The Keep is the principal part remaining, but there are sundry other towers and works. The College, seen on the right from the line. enclosed by a wall, is for the education of candidates for the R. C. priesthood. It was established 1795, and from that date down to 1869 received a much debated parliamentary grant, which was then commuted.
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