Welcome to our website
— Céad míle fáilte rómhaibh go dti ár suiomh-idirlín
Located in Listowel, County Kerry, the Lartigue Monorail offers visitors of all ages the opportunity to experience a unique form of rail travel. The original steam-powered monorail (designed by Frenchman Charles Lartigue) ran for nine miles between Listowel and the seaside resort of Ballybunion. Operating from 1888 to 1924, it carried passengers, livestock and freight along a rail supported on A-shaped trestles. It occupies a special place in railway history as the only monorail of its type to operate successfully on a commercial basis. During its lifetime, the original Lartigue Monorail was an object of much interest, curiosity and amusement.
Nowadays, your visit includes a short demonstration journey on a full-scale diesel-powered replica of the original monorail. During the journey you will experience the unique features of the monorail and will observe its ingenious switching system. Before or after your journey, you can visit the Lartigue Museum to watch film of the original Lartigue and see models, displays and memorabilia of the Lartigue and main-line railways. The friendly staff, consisting mainly of volunteers, will be on hand to provide information and answer your questions.
2023 Operating Schedule
Open daily 1pm to 4.30pm. May 1st 2023 to October 1st 2023, daily 1pm to 4.30pm.
* Special opening can be arranged for groups, by prior arrangement.The Lartigue Monorail Restoration Company Ltd wish to acknowledge the financial assistance of the Community Activities Fund from Kerry County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
About our Town
Listowel is a picturesque small market town in north Kerry in the south-west of Ireland. As well as the Lartigue Monorail, the town also has the Kerry Writers Museum, Listowel Castle, Town Park and river Walk and many friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants. Amongst the other attractions in the north Kerry area are the impressive Crag Cave and the fine beaches and cliff walks of Ballybunion.
We hope you will visit us. Be assured you will enjoy your time with us
— Tá súil againn go dtabhairfidh sibh cuairt orainn. Is cinnte go mbainfidh sibh taitneamh as bhúr gcuid ama linn
Links
- Lartigue Article in Irish Waterways History
- Heritage Railways Association
- Listowel Arms
- Cliff House Hotel
- Kerry Writers’ Museum
- Downpatrick & County Down Railway
- Waterford & Suir Valley Railway
- Western Clare Railway
- The Monorail Society
- Listowel.ie
- Foynes Flying-Boat Museum
- Listowel 365
- Heritage Towns
- Monorail Infopage
- Ballybunion Golf Course
