From the top of the Viaduct on the Bandon road

bogman · 20-07-2014 5:26pm #1

Headed up to the top to see what the view was going to be like and was not disappointed, could be dangerous as totally unprotected so take care if going up there.

Viaduct bar from the bridge

ewj1978 · 20-07-2014 5:28pm

Was told that there's a tunnel along the old line. Is it close to there?

Karl Stein · 20-07-2014 5:40pm

A snapshot from my youth. I used to head up there when I was younger with my friends and go out a bit on the beams. Some people had their names written on those beams out in the middle.

hoodwinked · 20-07-2014 5:59pm

that is such a cool photo! we drove under it again today and couldn't help but think how cool it would be to have it re-opened and see trains out that way again.

GrumpyMe · 20-07-2014 6:25pm

RTE's Building Ireland Documentary exploring Ireland's construction heritage had a piece about it in the first episode:

http:// w w w.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10301466/

Not allowed (ahem) to post links so you will need to remove the spaces!

.red. · 20-07-2014 6:49pm

Havent been up there in about 15years. Happy days tho.
Cheers for the pics.

KCAccidental · 20-07-2014 9:12pm

yeah must go out there to check out the tunnel. I saw that tv show on it, was very informative!

bogman · 20-07-2014 11:11pm

From what I know the tunnel is "sort of blocked off" been through it a few times, you would want a very powerful flash-lamp, its not far from here so ill head over to the entrance during the week and report back

evolving_doors · 21-07-2014 10:32am

Was there some competition about throwing a ball over it or something?

.red. · 21-07-2014 10:45am

Armelodie wrote: »

Was there some competition about throwing a ball over it or something?

Dont think thats been done in a long time. They used to get a run up and have a small ramp to launch from. They were throwing a 16oz lead ball and the legendary Mick Barry did it a few times i think. Definatly once anyway.

KCAccidental · 21-07-2014 1:06pm

.red. wrote: »

Dont think thats been done in a long time. They used to get a run up and have a small ramp to launch from. They were throwing a 16oz lead ball and the legendary Mick Barry did it a few times i think. Definatly once anyway.

of course there was the old legend that someone threw a bowl over the viaduct while a train was passing. the bowl got thrown into one of the carriages and ended up in Bandon, beating the previous world record for the longest throw :pac:

Tony H · 21-07-2014 1:15pm

Happy days,
that brings back a lot of happy memories for me, we used to pick blackberries on the Togher side in the sixties and I always loved the view from there.

Pitcairn · 21-07-2014 3:45pm

Great pictures.
I know the County Council are looking at reopening the rail line to Kinsale as a cycleway.
They are looking at using the viaduct and the tunnel but it would obviously take a bit of work. Hope they do it.

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2013/08/01/engineers-to-assess-viaducts-for-use-on-cork-to-kinsale-greenway/

Flesh Gorden · 21-07-2014 5:05pm

It's hard to quickly find maps of the old line, but I have to say it's a shame it doesn't exist anymore.

As much as I love a drive out west, I think I'd enjoy a train journey out to Bantry, Skib and Baltimore.

Still though, turning parts of it into a greenway would be excellent.

Cork%2C_Bandon_%26_South_Coast_Railway.jpg

Cork%2C_Bandon_%26_South_Coast_Railway.jpg

ofcork · 21-07-2014 7:44pm

ewj1978 wrote: »

Was told that there's a tunnel along the old line. Is it close to there?

Tunnel is a bit further out at goggins hill,near a place known locally as the mountain,also a shorter one between innishannon and bandon.

Pitcairn · 21-07-2014 7:49pm

ofcork wrote: »

Tunnel is a bit further out at goggins hill,near a place known locally as the mountain,also a shorter one between innishannon and bandon.

A dad took his kids through the tunnel a few months back. Here's the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17M-Hz0yUnw

Roger Hassenforder · 21-07-2014 10:01pm

dad of the year!

KCAccidental · 21-07-2014 11:58pm

what a wonderful website!

bogman · 14-08-2014 10:54pm

As promised, went out today with a few of the lads, barriers removed on both ends, 3/4" of water in parts, entrance is sloppy, advise staying to the left of the track if coming from the Goggins hill side
Heading to the old Bandon railway tunnel, entrance towards the middle of the pic

Looking back from the entrance
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As bright as it gets

Heading west, about 1/4 way through

Terminator 4 under one of the 3 vent shafts

Out the Half Way end.

An adventure as not been through it in around 3 years, enjoy the pics

beer enigma · 15-08-2014 9:31am

Out of interest, do the 'vents' have some some of chimney or structure above....I'm presuming they're not just holes in the ground above :eek:

whisky_galore · 15-08-2014 9:43am

Andip wrote: »

Out of interest, do the 'vents' have some some of chimney or structure above....I'm presuming they're not just holes in the ground above :eek:

They have, or else anything could fall in, people, farm animals.

Truckermal · 16-08-2014 6:45pm

Fantastic thread bogman thanks for sharing! !

bogman · 02-09-2014 5:21pm

Delighted to in fairness, decided to be a little naughty during Heritage week and approach the tunnel another way

Say nothing ffs :-)
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Andip wrote: »

Out of interest, do the 'vents' have some some of chimney or structure above....I'm presuming they're not just holes in the ground above :eek:

They must have, ill search for them in the near future, the tunnel has 3 vent shafts

who_me · 02-09-2014 6:02pm

Jesus Bogman - if you'd met anyone in the tunnel you'd have scared the crap out of them! Imagine walking in an old, dark, quiet, long-abandoned tunnel, then suddenly hearing an engine roar reverberating around and a light coming towards you. :P

ianobrien · 02-09-2014 9:10pm

Andip wrote: »

Out of interest, do the 'vents' have some some of chimney or structure above....I'm presuming they're not just holes in the ground above :eek:

Here's one

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Ballinhassig,+Co.+Cork/@51.8127221,-8.5574945,110m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x48448ea73bb3b11b:0x2600c7a819bb2462

and another

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Ballinhassig,+Co.+Cork/@51.8161059,-8.5570745,110m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x48448ea73bb3b11b:0x2600c7a819bb2462

You can see from the shadows and comparing the shadows for buildings that they are not that small.
I can't remember if there are two or three vents.

whisky_galore · 02-09-2014 9:14pm

Trying not to be a spoilsport, but wouldn't going in there with motorbikes and making noise only serve to redouble landowners efforts to keep people out of the tunnel so no-one gets to enjoy it? Just sayin'.

bogman · 02-09-2014 9:21pm

We are not the revup and show off type, took it very handy, didn't get past 5mph or first gear, well aware of the implications of making a nuisance out of ourselves, both bikes are very quiet, the other chap mentioned that there was little noise to be heard, as it should be.

ianobrien · 03-09-2014 8:29am

I walked through it about 20 years ago and it was an interesting experience. We entered from the Half-way end having gotten permission from the local landowner to cross his land. I do remember the bee-hives on the old platform though....

I remember the old station was sold about 15 years ago and the parents looked at buying it (the tunnel would have made some awesome garage!). They didn't in the end for some reason.

liamtimdusty · 03-11-2016 2:07am

Can anyone PM me directions?

tuxy · 03-11-2016 2:12am

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/51%C2%B048'59.2%22N+8%C2%B033'53.7%22W/@51.8164477,-8.5671054,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.8164444!4d-8.5649167

liamtimdusty · 03-11-2016 2:20am

tuxy wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/51%C2%B048'59.2%22N+8%C2%B033'53.7%22W/@51.8164477,-8.5671054,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.8164444!4d-8.5649167

Excellent, cheers! Is it the last house on the right owns the landdo you know? Would prefer to have permission

tuxy · 03-11-2016 2:58am

Sorry I've no idea

The blue line is the way I went to the tunnel and the grey line is the tunnel itself.

liamtimdusty · 03-11-2016 3:02am

tuxy wrote: »

Sorry I've no idea

The blue line is the way I went to the tunnel and the grey line is the tunnel itself.

I think i read your blog post a while ago. You got in no trouble by land owners then?? On either end?

tuxy · 03-11-2016 3:06am

No not me, I've never written a blog on any subject. The far end does lead to what looks like a farm yard, I didn't cross the fence on that side but did have to climb the fence on the side with the blue line. I was trespassing but was a respectful as possible. It would be wise to try to find out who owns the land and get permission.

From the top of the Viaduct on the Bandon road

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