West Clare’s €1.5m museum gets off the starting blocks
Construction of a new museum at the West Clare Railway is set to get under way this autumn, and it could be open during the next year. Construction work had been due to start in the spring on the 40,000sq ft, two-storey road/rail museum at Moyasta Junction, which will cost an estimated €1.5 million (£1.35m) - but the approvals process took longer than expected. The final piece of essential paperwork was due to be issued by the end of October. Local businessman Jackie Whelan, the owner of the line, told Steam Railway that he’s hoping for the foundations to be laid before Christmas. “Once we get our fire certificate it will be all systems go,” he said. “It’s possible that it could be open by next summer, but it’s too early at this stage to say precisely when.” Once the building is well under way, Mr Whelan will turn his attention to the repatriation of former West Clare 4-4-0T No. 3 Lady Edith, which he purchased in 2015. It has been in the United States for the past 55 years. The museum is being built alongside the trackbed of the former Kilkee branch. Mr Whelan has plans to re-lay a two-mile stretch of the track, which will double the length of the train ride. “Our visitor numbers were about the same as in 2015, but the museum will give us a big boost,” he said.