A West Dublin train station, which has been lying empty for 14 years, is finally set to open.
Kishoge station, between Clondalkin and Adamstown, was intended to serve a new community at Clonburris.
Good news! Kishogue train station on the Kildare Line will open in November. Irish Rail has begun procurement for works on the abandoned station between Clondalkin and Adamstown. pic.twitter.com/hgquqn6ltI
— Dublin Commuter Coalition (@DublinCommuters) January 26, 2023
2009
Kishoge Station was built in 2009 in anticipation of thousands of new homes in the area.
But the property market crashed, the houses were stalled and the station remained derelict.
Until now - its set to open finally later this year as the first phase of homes are to be constructed.
Mark Gleeson from Railway Users Ireland says it’s not in a great state.
"Unfortunately, and this has got to be called out, Irish Rail should have done a lot better job in protecting the station when it wasn't opened."
Mark says the station has suffered from a lot of vandalism in the 14 years it's been lying idle.
"Lessons need to be learned from this," he concluded.
It cost €6 million to build the Kishoge station and now its going to cost another €3.5 million to bring it up to scratch.
Barry Kenny from Irish Rail is defending the cost.
"Unfortunately there has been vandalism, and other issues," Mr. Kenny admitted.
"But it must be remembered, a number of years around when it was built, that was in the depths of the recession.
Barry says Irish Rail had "very limited resources" that he says "correctly, went towards stations that were open to maintain those."
The station is set to be upgraded by November and open to commuters by December.
