The Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (DW&WR) 2, built in 1885, was the predecessor to a total of eleven 2-4-0T locomotives to emerge from Grand Canal Street railway works between 1885 and 1896.

1, 6, 7 and 10, built between 1892 and 1896, had detail differences between them,[2] Ahrons describes them as having a more modern appearance.

28 (St. Lawrence), 45 (St. Kieran), and 46 (Princess Mary) were also rebuilt later in 1909/10.

[2] On review following amalgamation into Great Southern Railways (GSR) in 1925, Nos.

7, 9, 47 and 49 were designated GSR class 423/G1 and allocated the numbers 426, 424, 425 and 423 respectively.