Tunnels in Ireland

Most of Ireland's tunnels date from the 19th century in the building of the railways, typically excavated through rock by blasting and then hand excavation.

The more modern tunnels include the longer road tunnels and utility tunnels, constructed from approximately 1940 to date, using a variety of tunnelling methods.

Historically, a number of country estates had tunnels, both to provide privacy (and means of escape!) and to keep the views from the house clear of servants and labourers. Stone and brick built sewers are often mistaken for "tunnels", in particular in central Dublin.

There are a number of pseudo tunnels. For example, at Dunkettle in Cork, to construct the interchange at the north end of the Jack Lynch Tunnel, a section of railway approximately 100 m long was covered so that the N25 (now part of the N8) could cross the railway at a shallow angle - a "cover only" tunnel. Where the North Dublin Link Railway (Great Southern & Western Railway) passes under the Royal Canal and the Liffey Line (Midland and Great Western Railway), the railway is in essence in two cut-and-cover tunnels.

Canal

Railway (Operational)

Railway (Proposed)

Railway (Closed)

Railway (Other)

Road

Drainage

Several large diameter drainage tunnels exist:

Dublin:

Kilkenny:

Utilities

Other

External links