The Railway Hotel: A Glimpse Into Its Early History

Station 05

The Railway Hotel, a distinctive local landmark, was originally built by the Midland Great Western Railway Company. From its inception, the building stood out as a unique addition to the area’s architectural landscape and played a central role in the social life surrounding the railway.

Census records provide a snapshot of the people who worked at the Railway Hotel during this period.

In 1901, the staff included:

  • Margaret Joseph Kennedy, proprietoress (Co. Dublin)
  • Annas Waters Mahe, housekeeper (Co. Waterford)
  • Susan Leonard, bar assistant (Co. Galway)
  • Bridget Dempsey, waitress (Co. Galway)
  • Norah Connolly, house maid (Co. Galway)
  • Margaret Kennedy, cook (Co. Roscommon)
  • Winifred Leech, kitchen maid (Co. Galway)
  • Michael Moran, boots/porter (Co. Galway)
  • Margaret Mulligan, nurse (Co. Kildare)
  • John Fahy, yardman (Co. Galway)

By 1911, the staff roster had changed considerably. It included:

  • Maria McMerry, hotel manageress (Co. Limerick)
  • Kathleen Darcy, bookkeeper (Co. Roscommon)
  • Alice Farrell, barmaid (Co. Westmeath)
  • Margaret Mulligan, waitress (Co. Kildare)
  • Dorothy Crown, cook (Co. Tipperary)
  • Kate Kelly, house maid (Co. Westmeath)
  • John Fahey, gardener (Co. Galway)
  • George Fahey, boots/porter (Co. Galway)

In 1857, Bernard Gunning became the hotel’s first recorded proprietor, managing the establishment with his wife and a servant, Catherine Campbell. Before taking over the hotel, Gunning had worked as a storekeeper for the Midland Great Western Railway and had previously been involved in a high-profile case known as the Broadstone Murder. Later in the 19th century, ownership passed to a Mr. Kavanagh.

Compiled by: Ronan Killeen

The building itself reflects the high standards typical of nineteenth-century railway architecture. Its gable-fronted bays, varied window sizes, and elegant verandah are all hallmarks of the Victorian period. The chased limestone walls, carved window surrounds, chamfered cornerstones, and decorative eaves brackets demonstrate the craftsmanship of nineteenth-century stonemasons, while the retention of timber sash windows preserves its historic character.

Today, the Railway Hotel remains one of the finest architectural structures in Athenry, a lasting testament to the ambition and attention to detail that marked the era of railway expansion.