Tales of the Permanent Way

From the opening of the first suburban railway in the world, the Dublin and Kingstown in 1834, Ireland was in the vanguard of early railway development. In this important book, Michael Barry blends the history of the railway with the stories of the people at its heart, the permanent way. The book is splendidly illustrated with a wealth of photographs and engravings, from the past to the present.

From the opening of the first suburban railway in the world, the Dublin and Kingstown in 1834, Ireland was in the vanguard of early railway development. This important and engaging book sets out the history of the railway and includes the stories of the people at its heart, the permanent way. The book is splendidly illustrated with a wealth of photographs and engravings, from the past to the present. With a different and fresh look at the human face of the railways author Michael Barry brings his unique insight as a railway engineer to this fascinating part of Ireland’s heritage. Highly readable, it interweaves the history with the stories of the people who keep Ireland’s railways on track.

Author and historian Michael B. Barry was born in Ireland and studied engineering and economics at Trinity College, Dublin. He has lived in Africa and the Middle East. A Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland, he has worked as a consultant on railway projects both in Ireland and around the world, including – in the Middle East – World Bank projects in the Gulf region. With a strong interest in history and heritage, Michael has written several books including Across Deep Waters, Bridges of Ireland; Through the Cities, the Revolution in Light Rail. His recent books include ‘Victorian Dublin Revealed’ and ‘The Green Divide, an Illustrated History of the Irish Civil War’. An accomplished photographer, he has contributed to journals and has appeared on radio and television. He lives in Dublin.