The coming of the railway in the middle of the nineteenth century impacted socially and economically on rural Ireland in a way that nothing had before. In addition to bringing employment in the construction of the tracks and buildings, people were needed to man the trains and run the stations. Railway Hotels began to appear in many towns offering yet more employment. Urban landscapes throughout the country improved with the building of stations, which in most cases were architecturally pleasing. Trains ran to strict timetables and it became necessary for “time” to be standardised countrywide and between Ireland and Britain. Journeys which had previously taken days could now be completed in hours; travel for leisure became commonplace and a greater variety of goods became available.

In County Monaghan the railways were an important feature of life for over a century from 1848 to 1957 and the museum’s main exhibition this year will create a window into that rich history. The exhibition “Magic Miles in Monaghan – The Great Northern Railway (Ireland)” will feature photographs, models, and railway memorabilia, much of it from the museum’s own collection. Personal memories will also form part of this interactive and audiovisual exhibition and educational workshops will be available. The exhibition arrives at Monaghan County Museum on July 14th and departs in January 2009. Extended to June 19th 2009 due to popular demand.