Catch the Train

Waterford Suir Valley Railway is Ireland’s longest narrow gauge railway. Based in Kilmeadan, Co Waterford, 10km on the Cork side of Waterford City and on Waterford Greenway.

Arrive at the beautifully refurbished Kilmeadan Station. Check in at the ticket office, a converted Irish Rail Mark 2 carriage.  

Board the train from the railway platform built in 1878. The original Kilmeadan Station sign is on display on the platform. It was donated to the Waterford Suir Valley Railway by the Irish Railway Records Society when the railway opened in 2003.

When the whistle blows, the wave of the green flag signals it’s time to set off on this exciting journey through the countryside beside Waterford Greenway and along the banks of the River Suir.   

On the journey watch out for the cormorants resting on the ruins of Kilmeadan Castle and get a glimpse into one of the “Great Gardens of the World ” Mount Congreve Gardens.   Make a wish when you see the fairies in the Magic Wood. Pass by the lime kilns and journey on to Carriganore where the merchants of Waterford are said to have hidden their gold from Cromwell’s army. On the return journey sit back, relax, take in the views of the River Suir and across the river to County Kilkenny.  Wave at all the walkers and cyclists enjoying the wonderful Waterford Greenway.  

The 12km round trip journey lasts 40 minutes travelling at an average speed of 15km per hour.  On a Saturday the journey is 2km longer as it continues through the Dan Donovan Tunnel under the N25 to the Toll Plaza for the Francis Meagher Bridge. This last 50 minutes.

Have a chat with the train driver and train guard, all of whom volunteer at the railway and will be happy to give you more information about the rolling stock.

This unique tourist attraction celebrating Waterford’s rich railway heritage is operated as a social enterprise. It celebrates the importance of railways in Ireland and their contribution to education, industrial development, tourism and social life in Ireland. 

 Take the time to discover the Story of Rail on the five storyboards around Kilmeadan Station. They feature stories WSVR wanted to preserve and share: the story of rail, of time, of emigration, sport and social history, of how the railways were built, what they were used for, how they were a mirror to Irish society, and the story of WSVR itself!