Stradbally Woodland Railway
Volunteer-run heritage railway in the Cosby Estate at Stradbally with steam and diesel trains on selected days from March to August.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Stradbally Woodland Railway is run by the Irish Steam Preservation Society, a voluntary body founded in 1964 to preserve historic steam machinery. The track was first laid in 1968 for the National Steam Rally, when a former Guinness brewery steam locomotive pulled passenger carriages, and the railway opened in 1969 as the first volunteer-run heritage railway in Ireland.
The line was laid to a gauge of three feet and runs through the woodland of the Cosby Estate at Stradbally Hall. The main steam engine is Róisín, a 1949 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 tank locomotive that once worked on bog railways in Counties Laois and Offaly, and a diesel locomotive called Rusty also works trains.
Passengers ride a one-kilometre woodland loop that takes about 12 minutes, and a day ticket allows unlimited rides. The railway runs on selected days between March and August, hosts the annual National Steam Rally in the first weekend of August, and operates a Santa Train in December.
Highlights
- Ireland's first volunteer-run heritage railway, opened in 1969
- Steam locomotive Róisín, a 1949 Andrew Barclay tank engine
- One-kilometre woodland loop with unlimited rides on a day ticket
- Annual National Steam Rally and December Santa Train
- Fully wheelchair-accessible site and train
Permanent exhibition
- Stradbally Woodland Railway – Passenger trains behind the steam locomotive Róisín and the diesel Rusty on a one-kilometre woodland loop.
- Founded
- 1969
- Operated by
- Irish Steam Preservation Society
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The railway site is described as fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible paths and entrances and wheelchair-accessible carriages on the woodland train. Disabled parking is near the entrance. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Baby changing facilities
Baby changing is available in the toilet blocks. The Santa Train in December is a family event with a gift for each child.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Portlaoise
Irish Rail to Portlaoise (about 50 minutes from Dublin Heuston), then about 15 minutes by taxi; Bus Éireann route 73 (Dublin–Waterford) stops in Portlaoise.
By car
Free parking
Free on-site parking with disabled spaces near the entrance and coach parking for groups and schools.
- Accessible parking
Stradbally is about one hour from Dublin, 50 minutes from Kilkenny and 1 hour 30 minutes from Limerick by car.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The Steamin' Brew Coffee Dock near the entrance serves tea, coffee, soup, toasties, scones and cakes; it is open 09:00 to 17:00 on event days and weekends. Toilets and picnic areas on site; the merchandise store is online.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The train journey takes about 12 minutes. Private group tours and school and educational tours are offered; prices on request. The Santa Train experience lasts about 45 minutes. |
