David L. Lewis

Lewis would seem to have been an extremely extravagant character, despite the fact that he had twice been declared bankrupt before he joined the company. In 1 June 1859, Lewis organised an enormous feast to inaugurate the works at the company's grounds on the northern side of the Glanmire Road. The Illustrated London News, writing in July of the same year, documented Lewis's seemingly boundless largesse on this occasion which saw him erect a large marquee and provide wine and cake refreshments for the upper classes. A German band was hired to play to the nearly 800 workers of the C&YR who were treated to a bountiful meal of various meats and vegetables.

This exuberant commencement seems to have galvanised the workforce and the completed rail line between Cork and Youghal was officially opened to traffic on 23 May 1860, serving stations along the route at Dunkettle, Little Island, Queenstown Junction, Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Mogeely and Killeagh.