TV archives show abandoned Mayo railway station

In 1981 RTÉ broadcast a poignant return to John Healy's native Charlestown, the journalist visited the disused Charlestown railway station, a place that witnessed the tearful goodbyes and hopes of countless emigrants from the east Mayo town.

Healy stands on the platform that once bustled with families bidding farewell to loved ones, recalling the scenes of his youth when people left their homes to seek new opportunities abroad.

The railway station, now silent and forlorn, stands in stark contrast to its history as a place of emotional farewells. At the time of the broadcast in 1981, CIE confirmed to Healy that the railway line is still viable for the region, serving as a powerful reminder of the past, when the station echoed with the sounds of departures.

Healy vividly describes the trauma experienced by mothers as they watched their children leave from the Charlestown train station. The slamming of the train doors marked the end of one life and the beginning of another, as the guard's whistle signalled the departure of those on board. Mothers ran alongside the platform, their faces etched with emotion, until they reached the point of no return.

You can check out the video here.