Several of my ancestors left Ireland for America from this station in the 1890's. From here, they took the Ferry to Liverpool and then to the States. I repeated a small part of the journey (Galway to Dublin) although, I'm sure, in much more comfortable circumstances. They were brave people.
The station opened on 1 August 1851, making Galway the
western terminus of the Midland Great Western Railway giving the city a direct
main line to Broadstone Station terminus in Dublin. As the 19th century progressed the rail
network in Connacht was expanded, making Galway an important railhead.
Parts of the original station still survive.
