- Maganey
Railway Station
- (Source: EBay.ie)
Opened in 1846. The station is of considerable
historical and social significance as a reminder of the railway
network development in Ireland (the station forming part of the
Great Southern and Western Railway line (Cherryville Junction to
Kilkenny branch), which brought about many technical advances and
encouraged the development of commercial activity in the mid to late
nineteenth century.
-
- Maganey Bridge
over the Barrow River.
- Image by TNC
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Maganey Bridge was built in the 17th century with seven stone arches and
sculptured niches that span the River Barrow.
Maganey
Lock and Lock House
-
- Maganey Lock
- Image by TNC
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-
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- Maganey Lock and Lock
House.
- Image by TNC
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(My Aunt, Mary McDonald was the Lock Keeper at Maganey on the Barrow
Canal for a number of years in the 1950's.)
Source:
www.TheTuesdayNightClub.co.uk
Maganey Cross
Roads
&
The Three
Counties Public House
-
- Three Counties Public
House, Maganey
- Image by TNC
It’s the ‘last post’ for Maganey as
local office closes its doors
The end of an era was celebrated last week when the
community of Maganey and the surrounding areas turned out to mark the
closure of the local post office, which served the community for just
over 70 years.
There was standing room only in the nearby Three Counties
Pub on Friday night last, when family, friends and former customers
turned out to say thank you to the Hayden family for a lifetime of
service to their community.
And at 5.20pm on Friday 13 January, the sign “closed for
business” went up, ending a lifetime of service to its loyal customers.
Postmaster James Hayden and his sister, Carmel, who was
part-time assistant at the rural post office, finally decided to call it
a day after a career spanning 33 years.
The post office, which originally operated from Maganey
train station, was taken over by Mr Hayden’s grandfather, the late John
Ramsbottom, before he handed it over to his daughter, Mary (Molly)
Hayden. And when Mrs Hayden retired after 46 years of service in 1973,
she handed over the reins to her son, James.
Speaking to the Kildare Nationalist, Mr Hayden said: “It
has been unbelievable, the support we received from the nearby
communities. They have been a tremendous support to us throughout the
years, right up to the final day. You would not find the like of them in
Ireland.”
While Mr Hayden and his sister can recall many happy
memories of their time living beside the post office, sadly the shadow
of four robberies within a 20-year period looms darkly in the
background. The latest robbery, which took place last December, saw an
armed raider enter the post office, terrifying a female member of staff.
It was this latest robbery which spurred the decision to close the
outlet.
“We are glad to be retiring, but it is sad to think we are
being put out of a family business after so many years by young gurriers,”
said Mr Hayden.
As hundreds of people from around the area turned out last
Friday night to hear the many tributes and watch the presentations made
to the Hayden family, it was, according to Carmel Hayden, beyond their
wildest dreams.
“It was beyond all my expectations. The generosity of the
people has been unbelievable. They were so generous, I could not believe
it and I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and goodness,”
Miss Hayden said.
Maganey PO has now relocated to the nearby Three Counties
shop, where it will be business as usual.
Source: The Kildare Nationalist
Thursday, January 26, 2006
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