[4] Construction of the main line began from Dublin in January 1846[3] and proceeded westwards in stages, supervised by chief engineer G. W.

[8] Rivalry existed between the MGWR and the GS&WR, each of which wanted to build the line to Galway.

[10] In 1890 the government granted the MGWR £264,000 to build a railway to Clifden[11] on the Atlantic coast of County Galway.

[13] Due to its inland route it did not serve the bulk of the area's population,[citation needed] so the GSR closed it in 1935.

A similar branch line was built at the same time from Westport to Achill on the Atlantic coast of County Mayo.

Passenger coaches were finished in varnish or brown paint[citation needed] until the blue livery was introduced in 1901.

[citation needed] From October 1918 coaches were painted a very dark Crimson[18] and after 1924 the GSR used a similar shade for some years.

The Meath on Track campaign is campaigning to have the Navan — Clonsilla line (not to be confused with the former GNR Navan — Drogheda line) reopened earlier than the 2030 date announced under current Iarnród Éireann policy.

Rail Users Ireland proposed running some Galway — Dublin services via the MGWR station in Athlone and the disused route via Moate to Mullingar, reinstating the route of the first MGWR service via the former GS&WR line.