End of an era: Irish Rail demolish historic water tower at Laois train station

An iconic water tower at a Laois train station has recently been demolished by Irish Rail.

The water tower at Ballybrophy train station was erected in the 1940's, located on the Dublin side of the train station.

According to the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland, the water tower was likely built to replace a previous older structure.

The water tower was built for the use of steam engines, and had survived until this January.

Pictured: The demolition of the water tower at Ballybrophy train station. Photo: Breffni Group

Breffni Group, a construction and demolition group based in Swords, Co. Dublin, announced on social media that they carried out the demolition of the water tower.

"Breffni Group recently carried out the Demolition of a Water Tower at Ballybrophy Train Station, Co. Laois for our Client Irish Rail," the group announced.

"The project required the sequential demolition of the water tower segments and disposal of rubble off site. The project was carried out by our all-weather demolition crew overseen by Demolition Site Agent, Tony Evans," the post finished.

Ballybrophy train station first opened in 1847, as the 'Roscrea and Borris' station. It was later renamed to 'Roscrea & Parsonstown Junction' in 1858, and renamed once more in 1871 as Ballybrophy.

The tower was round in structure, which was unusual for water towers at the time.

Pictured: the water tower before demolition during the recent cold spell. Photo: Breffni Group.

Irish Rail have closed nine rural train stations since the year 2000, with the closure of Ballybrophy train station considered in 2016.

In November 2016 it was announced that the station was likely to close in 2018, due to a lack of demand from service users. This decision was eventually ruled out by Irish Rail.

The train station is located on the Cork to Dublin line, with passengers often using the station to change for Limerick and Nenagh services.