View source for Limerick Colbert railway station

{{Short description|Railway station in Limerick, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox station
| name                = Limerick Colbert
| native_name         = Stáisiún Uí Cholbáird
| native_name_lang    = GA
| symbol              = rail
| symbol_location     = ie
| type                = 
| style               = 
| image               = Limerick-0103.jpg
| image_size          = 
| image_caption       = Limerick Railway Station
| alt                 = 
| other_name          = 
| address             = Parnell Street, [[Limerick]], V94 H2PP
| borough             = 
| country             = Ireland
| coordinates         = {{coord|52.6589|-8.6246|region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| gridref             = 
| elevation           = 
| line                = 
| connections         = 
| distance            = 
| structure           = At-grade
| platform            = 4
| levels              = 
| tracks              = 
| gates               = 
| bus_stands          = 
| bus_operators       = 
| routes              = 
| parking             = 
| bicycle             = 
| facilities          = 
| original            = 
| pregroup            = 
| postgroup           = 
| prenational         = 
| start               = 
| end                 = 
| starting            = 
| ending              = 
| years               = 1858
| events              = Station opened as Limerick
| years2              = 1966
| events2             = Renamed Limerick Colbert Station
| opened              = 
| closed              = 
| rebuilt             = 
| architect           = 
| electrified         = 
| accessible                 = 
| code                = 40
| iata                = 
| owned               = [[Iarnród Éireann]]
| operator            = [[Iarnród Éireann]]
| zone                = 
| former              = 
| passengers          = 
| pass_year           = 
| pass_percent        = 
| pass_system         = 
| mpassengers         = 
| services_collapsible = yes
| services            = 
{{s-rail|title=IÉ}}
{{rail line|previous=Terminus|next=[[Thurles railway station|Thurles]]|route=[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]]<br/><small>[[Dublin–Cork railway line]]</small>|col=FFA500}}
{{rail line|previous=Terminus|next=[[Castleconnell railway station|Castleconnell]]|route=[[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter]]<br/><small> [[Limerick Suburban Rail]]</small>|col=00A550}}
{{rail line|previous=Terminus|next=[[Limerick Junction]]|route=[[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter]]<br/><small>[[Limerick Suburban Rail]]</small>|col=00A550}}
{{rail line two routes|previous=Terminus|next=[[Sixmilebridge railway station|Sixmilebridge]]|route1=[[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]]<br/><small>[[Western Railway Corridor]]</small>|()|col1=FFA500|route2=[[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter]]<br/><small>[[Limerick Suburban Rail]]</small>|col2=00A550}}

| map_locator         = 
| route_map           = 
| map_state           = 
}}
{{Dublin-Cork railway line}}
{{Galway-Limerick railway line|collapse=yes}}
{{Limerick-Rosslare railway line|collapse=yes}}
{{Limerick-Ballybrophy railway line|collapse=yes}}

'''Limerick railway station''' also known as '''Colbert Station''' ({{langx|ga|Stáisiún Uí Cholbáird}}) or '''Limerick Colbert''' serves the city of [[Limerick]] in County Limerick, Ireland. It is on Parnell Street and is the main station on the [[Limerick Suburban Rail]] network. It has approximately 2,500 rail passengers a day travelling on four rail routes. The Bus Éireann bus station on site services approximately one million passengers a year, with 125 buses departing each day.<ref name="buseireann.ie">{{cite web |url=http://www.buseireann.ie/news.php?id=1679&month=Jan |title=Bus Éireann News - Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets |publisher=Buseireann.ie |date=2015-01-13 |access-date=2019-05-22 |archive-date=16 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116183033/http://www.buseireann.ie/news.php?id=1679&month=Jan |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Services==
The station is the terminus of the Dublin–Limerick, [[Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line|Limerick–Nenagh–Ballybrophy]] and Limerick–Ennis–Galway lines.<ref>{{cite web |author=Irish Rail |url=http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/limerick-colbert |title=Limerick (Colbert) |publisher=Irishrail.ie |access-date=2019-05-22 |archive-date=16 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116220959/http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/limerick-colbert |url-status=live }}</ref> Connections for [[Cork railway station|Cork]], [[Clonmel railway station|Clonmel]], [[Carrick-on-Suir railway station|Carrick-on-Suir]], [[Waterford railway station|Waterford]] and Kerry stations, such as [[Killarney railway station|Killarney]], [[Farranfore railway station|Farranfore]] and [[Tralee railway station|Tralee]] can be made at [[Limerick Junction]].

[[Bus Éireann]]'s Limerick depot is adjacent and offers Intercity, Express and [[Eurolines]] services.

==Connecting to Shannon Airport==
The 343 and 51 buses connect the railway station to [[Shannon Airport]].

==History==
[[File:Limerick Railway Station Fast Excursion to the International Exhibition.jpg|thumbnail|left|The station in 1907.]]
The station opened on 28 August 1858, replacing a temporary station {{convert|500|m|ft}} further east, which had operated from 9 May 1848. It was built by the [[Waterford and Limerick Railway]] (W&LR), which ran its first train, as far as Tipperary, on Tuesday, 9 May 1848, with intermediate stations at Killonan, [[Pallasgreen]] and [[Oola]] (all since closed). Two months later the [[Great Southern and Western Railway|GS&WR]] connected their Dublin–Cork line with the W&LR at [[Limerick Junction]], near [[Tipperary (town)|Tipperary]]. The work was carried out at the height of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]], resulting in extreme financial difficulties for the company.

Originally named "Limerick", the station was given the name Colbert on 10 April 1966 in commemoration of [[Cornelius Colbert]], one of the executed leaders of the [[Easter Rising|Easter Rising of 1916]].

Other former routes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20182/182%20Limerick.htm |title=Limerick |publisher=Irrs.ie |access-date=2019-05-22 |archive-date=30 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130052309/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20182/182%20Limerick.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/rail009.pdf |title=Limerick as a railway centre |website=www.limerickcity.ie |access-date=2019-05-22 |archive-date=24 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222232/http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/rail009.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> from Limerick station included: 
* a direct route to Cork via Patrickswell and Charleville (on the Dublin-Cork line) built by the Cork & Limerick Direct Railway
* the "North Kerry" line to Foynes, Newcastle West, Listowel and Tralee built in stages by three different companies in the mid to late 19th century
* a siding from Limerick Check to Castlemungret cement factory. 
The direct line to Cork between Patrickswell and Charleville and the North Kerry line between Ballingrane and Tralee were dismantled in the [late 1960s - to be confirmed] and in the late 1980s respectively. A single-track remains in place between Limerick Check and Foynes, although disconnected from the network.

In 2022 work began to reopen the [[Limerick–Foynes railway line|line to Foynes]] as a freight railway, with work scheduled to be completed in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Artymiuk |first1=Simon |title=Irish Rail to rehabilitate Limerick - Foynes freight line |url=https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/irish-rail-to-rehabilitate-limerick-foynes-freight-line/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=International Railway Journal |date=15 December 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126105535/https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/irish-rail-to-rehabilitate-limerick-foynes-freight-line/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Parts of the video for the [[Westlife]] song "[[My Love (Westlife song)|My Love]]" were filmed at Colbert Station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x-x5cfRIzk|title=WESTLIFE- My Love|via=www.youtube.com|access-date=30 November 2016|archive-date=29 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629125542/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x-x5cfRIzk|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Redevelopment ==
Conditional planning permission was granted by Limerick city and county council for the €16.8m redevelopment of Colbert Station in December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/128644/Green-light-for--16-8m.html|title=Green light for €16.8m new Limerick travel plaza|website=www.limerickleader.ie|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118151250/http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/128644/Green-light-for--16-8m.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Plan included:

* Phase 1. A new pedestrian plaza [[limestone]] paved area of {{convert|3350|m2|acre}} replacing the car park at the front of the station.
* Phase 2. Knocking the former toilet block to make way for a new bus station, with the former bus station being converted into the access area for a new 235-space car park.
* Phase 3. Significant refurbishment of the interior of the railway station with new finishes throughout and provision of a new ticketing office and retail units.

Funding of approximately 3 million euro was secured for Phase 1 and work began in Quarter 1, 2015.<ref name="buseireann.ie"/>  
The disused Fuel Station site was leveled and work completed on-site for a temporary car park in summer/autumn 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/129646/Works-progressing-at-Limerick-s-Colbert.html|title=Works progressing at Limerick's Colbert Station|website=www.limerickleader.ie|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118151853/http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/129646/Works-progressing-at-Limerick-s-Colbert.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The temporary parking was used while work on station redevelopment took place. Phase 1 was completed in 2016.

During June 2017, extensive re-signalling works took place at Limerick Colbert. These works replaced two life-expired signal cabins that signaled all routes into and out of the station. During this time, platforms 3 and 4 were also straightened, lengthened and resurfaced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/limerick-train-station-works-bus-transfers-3424236-Jun2017/|title=Major disruptions coming down the tracks for Limerick train users|first=Ceimin|last=Burke|website=TheJournal.ie|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=10 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210140908/https://www.thejournal.ie/limerick-train-station-works-bus-transfers-3424236-Jun2017/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2017, one of the former Station Signal cabins was demolished to facilitate the extension of Platforms 1 and 2. Buffer stop arrangements to comply with modern safety requirements, similar to those on Platforms 3 & 4 were also provided for.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irrs.ie/Journal194/194RLimerick.htm|title=LimerickSignalling|website=www.irrs.ie|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085359/http://www.irrs.ie/Journal194/194RLimerick.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Separately Limerick council sought in 2015 to redevelop the Parnell Street area including the interface between the street and Colbert station. Plans included a raised platform and new pedestrian crossing across Parnell Street at the entry to Colbert Station to complement the new pedestrian plaza. Work was completed in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/roads-and-travel/road-improvements-and-major-schemes/parnell-davis-wickham-street|title=Parnell, Davis & Wickham Street Upgrade & Improvement Works - Limerick.ie|website=www.limerick.ie|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525013459/https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/roads-and-travel/road-improvements-and-major-schemes/parnell-davis-wickham-street|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Colbert Station Redevelopment (2024) ===
In 2024, a new bus station for Bus Éireann vehicles opened, connecting the new bus station with the current railway station through a concourse previously occupied by the toilet block. The new terminal has 20 bus bays with digital information screens as well as new signage, seating, ticket office, machines and staff facilities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Donovan |first=Katie |date=11 January 2024 |title=Newly upgraded Colbert Station opens its doors to bus passengers |url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2024/01/11/newly-upgraded-colbert-station-opens-its-doors-to-bus-passengers/ |work=Limerick Post}}</ref> The former bus station is being redeveloped to create a 326-space car park with bike parking for 264 bicycles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkins |first=Frances |date=2022-05-30 |title=Works underway on €20m facelift of Limerick's Colbert Station |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/824015/works-underway-on-20m-facelift-of-limerick-s-colbert-station.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=www.limerickleader.ie |language=en}}</ref> The interior of Colbert Station is being redeveloped similarly, with new flooring, a new ticket office, doors and retail units being installed/refurbished.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=Limerick's Colbert Station officially reopens to bus passengers |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/limerick/news/limericks-colbert-station-officially-reopens-to-bus-passengers/a2117654681.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of railway stations in Ireland]]
* [[Limerick Suburban Rail]]
* [[Great Southern and Western Railway]]
* [[History of rail transport in Ireland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Limerick railway station}}
{{Railway stations served by Iarnród Éireann}}
*[http://www.irishrail.ie/travel-information/limerick-colbert Irish Rail Limerick (Colbert) station Website]
*[http://www.southtipperaryrailandbus.com Limerick–Clonmel–Waterford & Nenagh lines]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Iarnród Éireann stations in County Limerick]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the Republic of Ireland opened in 1858]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Limerick (city)]]