GNR days recalled at station

JAMES PRENDERGAST AND HIS COLLEAGUES REMEMBERED ON NEW PLAQUE AT DROGHEDA RAILWAY STATION

A SPECIAL memorial plaque to recall the great days of the GNR and those that worked on it was unveiled by Cllr Emma Coffey at MacBride Station.

It was erected in memory of James Francis Prendergast by his son, Jim, who said he wanted his father’s name and those of his colleagues, to be remembered in an ever changing world.

James, a native of Galway, came to work in the GNR in Dundalk in 1915 and then moved to Clones and finally Drogheda in 1947, retiring from CIE in 1960.

He famously gave Gerry McKeown a job at the station when he was just 15 and Gerry, now in his 90s, was there on the day to witness the unveiling.

‘I have great memories of playing around the station in my young days,’ Jim stated. ‘ The GNR men were great people and we won’t see their likes again. This is a poignant and special day,

He thanked the many people who played their part in getting the plaque erected, Iarnrod Eireann and station master Conor Keane, Frank Daly, Tom Hodgins, Sean Collins and Cllr Emma Coffey

Speaking at the event, Cllr Coffey praised the pioneers of the railways and revealed that it was Thomas Brodigan of Piltown House who first mooted the idea of a Dublin – Drogheda Railway line, and he used his powers of persuasion to secure support at Government level and in May 1836 a bill was passed in the House of Commons to allow for the creation of a Dublin-Drogheda railway line.

The town recognized Brodigan’s achievement and he was made was made a Freeman of Drogheda in October 1836.

The station was officially opened on a Sunday in May 1844 with the arrival of a special train from Dublin. On the day before Saturday a trial run for Sunday was organized. On board the Saturday train was Daniel O’Connell M.P., to ensure the railway system arrived in Drogheda.

The station has seen some notable visitors down the years, including, Eamon de Valera, William T.Cosgrave, Michael Davitt and of course Charles Stewart Parnell M.P. in his capacity as Member for Meath.

Sean and Linda Collins , James Prendergast , Gerry Mc Keown , Denis Balfe, Cllr Emma Coffey, June Gibbons and Frank Brady at the unveiling ceremony of a plaque to James Francis Prendergast and the GNR workers.

One of the old time GNR workers, Gerry McKeown, now in his 90s, inspects the plaque with Jim Prendergast. On the right is the bronze plaque and below it, the formal unveiling with Jim Prendergast, Cllr Emma Coffey and Denis Balfe. Inset: Fintan...