Westland Row, Gortroe
The Dublin and Kingstown Railway opened its regular passenger service on 17 December. It connected Westland Row, close to Dublin’s commercial centre, with the harbour at Kingstown, now Dún Laoghaire. It was Ireland’s first railway and among the earliest suburban passenger railways anywhere. Contemporary excitement was understandable: the line promised a journey by mechanical power between city and port that was faster, more regular and less exposed to road conditions than the familiar coach or car.