An exhibition of photographs by Andrew Kelly and memorabilia from the days of the famous Waterford/Tramore train is currently running at the Languages, Tourism & Leisure Department at South East Technological University. There is also a scale model by Aidan Grant of the Tramore station which features in the Diploma in Restaurant Management students’ restaurant design project.
This display will run until Friday 24th of April. It is open between 9:00am and 5:00pm and admission is FREE.
The initiative was the brain child of Lecturer Jacinta Greene Beatty and was officially launched on Monday, 13th April, by Frank O’Donoghue who presented Ms Greene Beatty with a copy of his book, “The 5-Minute Bell”, which relates the 107 year history of the Tramore train and will be retained at the SETU Luke Wadding Library.
As explained to the audience at the launch, the objective of the exhibition is to rekindle memories and create interest in this famous train which uniquely was not physically attached to the rest of the railway system, even though it was part of it, and was much loved by those who made over 400,000 passenger journeys annually. Notwithstanding this great popularity and public support, it was cruelly shut down on the last day of December 1960 – a decision that has been rued locally ever since. A Tramore based group hopes to have a permanent museum based in the old station building which Waterford Council is in the process of acquiring. The group also hopes to create a short railway experience, both as an attraction for visitors and as a reminder of times gone by.
Department Head Ray Cullen welcomed everyone and revealed his own love for trains, while stressing the benefits of the six month Diploma in Restaurant Management course which is funded by Failte Ireland. There are sixteen places available for those seeking a qualification in the hospitality industry with 29th May the closing date for applications. Forms are available on line on www.wit.ie/diprestman