The station opened on 23 July 1860 as an extension from Castleconnell by the Limerick and Castleconnell Railway. The line was extended to Killaloe on 12 April 1862 and became a junction when the line was further extended from Birdill to Nenagh on 1 June 1864 by the Great Southern & Western Railway creating a through route to Limerick via Ballybrophy. The line to Killaloe lost its passenger services on 17 July 1931 and goods traffic was suspended on 29 April 1944 as an emergency measure by the Great Southern Railways.[1]
The station once had a large station house but now has only a portable building. This houses the ticket office and toilet.[2] The station has a car park. A plaque in the station grounds commemorates the 150th anniversary of the station, which took place in 2010. There is also a "Railway Garden" beside the station. The signal cabin has 24 levers and is at the Killonan end of the Up platform (which is not in service) and is a crossing point and blockpost, using "C" pattern staff.[3] Both the signal cabin and railway bridge are both listed as protected structures by Tipperary County Council (RPS Refs S708 and S709).[4]
Services
As of 2023, Birdhill receives the following skeleton service:
A January 2012 national newspaper article suggested that Irish Rail was expected to seek permission from the National Transport Authority to close the line.[5] In response, the timetable was altered during 2012, and the service was again reduced from February 2013.[6][not specific enough to verify] In November 2016 it was announced the line was very likely to close in 2018 as the demand for the service is very low and CIE/IE wish to close it to save money.[citation needed]
References
↑ Johnson's Atlas & Gazetteer of the railways of Ireland by Stephen Johnson ISBN 1 85780 044 3
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