Ballybrophy

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For the townland in West Cork, see Ballinakilla.

Ballybrophy
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Ballybrophy (Baile Uí Bhróithe in Irish) is a village in Laois, Ireland, with a population recorded in the 2002 census of 145. It forms part of the Borris-in-Ossory electoral area. It is best known for its railway station which is at a junction on the country's main Dublin-Cork line.

[edit] Transport

Ballybrophy railway station is a connection point between the Dublin to Cork line and a line from Ballybrophy to Limerick. Trains wishing to cross from the Limerick to the Dublin line must perform time consuming reversals. The line is lightly travelled as an alternative routing via Limerick Junction is quicker and more comfortable due to newer track and fewer speed restrictions. The station opened on 1 September 1847^[1]

Due to the branch line's turn south to meet the line at Ballybrophy, some of those who favour retaining the line have theorised that continuing the line east with a stop at the more populated Borris-in-Ossory, joining the line nearer Portlaoise would be better for Dublin connections. However, in addition to the substantial capital cost of this work, substantial parts of the line would still need to be relaid nearer Limerick to eliminate severe speed restrictions. Upgrades to the N7 road also dissuade rail usage.

Coordinates: 52°54′N, 7°36′W