All Aboard the Dublin to Blessington Steam Tram!
Join Blessington History Society in the Unique Heritage Week Exhibition.
The Dublin and Blessington Steam Tram (DBST) was an integral Part of the transport network in South West Dublin and West Wicklow for over 40 years from 1888 to1932.
Heritage Week 2024
The Dublin to Blessington Steam Tram Exhibition
For this Year’s Heritage Week Blessington Historical Society are hosting a special new exhibition on the Dublin to Blessington Steam Tram (1882-1930). This unique railway was a vital transport network linking Dublin and Blessington in the latter part of the 19th and early part of the twentieth century.
It tells the story of this unique Tram system between Terenure in Dublin and Blessington and Poulaphouca in West Wicklow and captures this unique period in history.
Line construction
The line started in Terenure and proceeded via Templeogue, Tallaght, The Embankment and Brittas to Blessington, a distance of 15.5 miles. As a light railway the line was constructed as a single track alongside the public road and not on a dedicated railway track. Several passing places and sidings were also included. The line used the standard gauge of 5 feet, 3 inches, and
was completed at a cost of £89,500. The first train left Terenure on 1st August 1888 and the last tram left Blessington on the 31st. December 1930.
Collaborating with heritage Interpretative designers Eamon Sinnott & Partners, Naas - this exhibition recreates the history of this line through the designers’ unique and detailed 3D Illustrations featuring tram locomotives, carriages and Tram Stations which capture the romance of steam travel in a bygone era and the associated industrial archaeology and architectural heritage of this unique Tramline.
National Heritage Week - 17th-25th August
Blessington Tourist Office, Unit 8, Newtown Square, Blessington Demesne, Blessington,
Co. Wicklow, W91 ED72
Monday to Thursday 10 am to 4 pm – Friday 10 am to 9 pm
Saturday 9 am to 4 pm– Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
BLESSINGTON HISTORY SOCIETY in association with Wickow County Council and Creative Ireland Blessington History Society was awarded grant funding under the Creative Wicklow Grant Scheme 2024 Arts Impact Award to develop this exhibition and also gratefully acknowledges the support of Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer of Wicklow County Council, and Wicklow County Council.
The development of the narrative and the selection of the original images was performed by Paul Tyrrell, Peter Kelly and Jim Corley of Blessington History Society.