"Are You Right There Michael, Are You Right?"

Take a true step back in time, and relive a true Irish experience, the Percy French Experience...

In January 1885 Charles Stewart Parnell turned the first sod for the laying of the West Clare Railway.The West Clare project was initiated in 1883, but construction only started in 1885.

The Railway which opened for business in 1887 ran at first from Miltown Malbay through Ennistymon. It was afterwards extended to Kilkee and Kilrush, serving
Lahinch and other coastal towns on the way.

In 1890 the South Clare Railway was begun, linking Kilkee and Kilrush to Miltown Malbay. The Railway line ran from Kilkee to Ennis from 1892, with Kilrush being served by a short branch from Moyasta Junction. The Railway served Kilkee well
until it was finally closed down from lack of support on 31st of January 1961 after 69 years of loyal service.

The trains leaving Kilkee to Ennis would normally consist of about 4-5 carriages, with the 1st class being situated right at the back of the train and the goods wagon at the front. Gas lamps would provide the lighting on the train and the platform
alike.

The Railway insidently was the inspiration behind the famous Irish song "Are you right there Michael, are you right" by Percy French, due to a delay he experienced
on the railway. The West Clare museums bare proud relics from the Railway for public viewing.

The Railway should be a definite stop for a bit of interesting history and once you are there, it will feel like the 1800's all over again.