The Hill of Howth Tramway
Empty Tram, Howth Summit
A photo of an empty tram at Howth Summit in the 1950s.
Fingal Photography Collection.Empty Tram, Howth Summit
Fingal Photography Collection.
Fingal Photography Collection.
Empty Tram, Howth Summit
A photo of an empty tram at Howth Summit in the 1950s.
Fingal Photography Collection.The first electric trams were introduced to Dublin in the 1880's. They served the people of Dublin well. However, the arrival of the motor car and bus, and the increasing popularity of the bicycle following road improvements in the 1920's, spelled the end of Dublin's tram system.
One of the most well-known tramways was in Fingal. This was the Hill of Howth Tramway, which started operating in 1901. It had eight open-topped, sixty-seven-seater trams, which allowed passengers to breathe the sea air and enjoy marvellous views over Dublin Bay. The tramline reached 365 feet above sea level at Howth Summit.
The Hill of Howth Tramway connected Howth and Sutton, and the tramline was just over five miles long. It was built and operated by the Great Northern Railways, but never made a profit. CIE took over the Great Northern Railways in 1958, and closed down the tramway in May of 1959.
Tram Heading for the Hill of Howth
A black-and-white photo of a tram heading for the Hill of Howth in the 1950s.
Fingal Photograph Collection.Tram Heading for the Hill of Howth
Fingal Photograph Collection.
Fingal Photograph Collection.
Tram Heading for the Hill of Howth
A black-and-white photo of a tram heading for the Hill of Howth in the 1950s.
Fingal Photograph Collection.As well as the Great Northern Railways, the Hill of Howth was served by two other tram companies. These were Dublin United Tramways Company (DUTC) and the Clontarf and Hill of Howth Tramway (C&HHT). The latter closed in 1941, which began the demise of trams as the chief source of public transport in North County Dublin. The DUTC closed in 1949, which meant the Hill of Howth Tramway was the only remaining tramline for the following decade, before it ceased operating.