CIE Radio Train - merchandise/souvenir badge (1950’s / 1960’s)

The CIE Radio Train was a day-excursion service that brought tourists on scenic visits through Connemara (Knock) and Killarney, departing and returning from Kingsbridge Station (Heuston Station), Dublin. A special feature of this train was its radio studio for the entertainment of the passengers (and crew too). The Radio Train’s compère was Lorcan O’Treasaigh who would play a selection of music, take requests and interview passengers throughout the journey. This special train service ran during the summer months throughout the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, coming to an end in 1979. CIE reintroduced the Radio Train in 1995 using a similar format to the original one. Does anyone know how long the revived Radio Train service lasted, was it just for the one season?

This badge would have been available for sale on the train and the 1950’s ‘flying snail’ CIE logo can be seen on the front. This logo was in use with CIE until 1964 and phased out after that.

Lorcán O’Treasaigh (1927-2006) was born in Dublin and coming from a Gaelic speaking family was himself a fluent Irish speaker. His first job with CIE (Córas Iompar Éireann) was in their accounts department and in 1950 became the compère on CIE’s Radio Train. Lorcan was also a prolific writer in Irish producing poetry and fiction as well as having written twenty plays for Raidió Éireann (Ireland’s national radio station). He also did work as a stage, radio and television actor.

References:

www.flickr.com/photos/36844288@N00/4570100257/ (Cover photograph of a 1954 Radio Train brochure featuring presenter Lorcán O’Treasaigh).

www.steamtrainsireland.com/IRN/IRN32.pdf (Irish Railway News magazine, July 1995 (p16) has a short article about the revived Radio Train service that ran from Dublin to Killarney and back).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CI%C3%89 (Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE) is a statutory corporation that acts as a holding company with responsibility for public transport within the Republic of Ireland, namely Irish Rail, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus).

Enamels: 2 (green & white).
Finish: Gilt.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 7/8” wide (23mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Imprint: No maker’s name or mark.

Photo reproduced with kind permission of the seller (johnw4903).
Sold on eBay 25th August 2014.
Item number 251620708450.
Start price €4.00 and sold for €17.37 + p&p (11 bids from 7 bidders).

Taken on: October 21, 2014

Tags:

CIE Radio Train

Lorcán O’Treasaigh

Irish tourism

Córas Iompar Éireann

radio compere

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Sets appears in: • Transportation - rail, road, aviation, cycling, motorcycles & nautical related badges • Irish badges

Groups appears in: • Irish Railway Heritage • ENAMEL BADGES

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