Introduction
'Tracing the Line' is a cross-border creative heritage project that reconnects communities along the historic railway route between Monaghan and Portadown. Using shared railway history as a neutral meeting point, participants come together through artist-led workshops, site visits, and conversation to explore memory, place, and identity. Through collaborative creative practice and public exhibitions, the project fosters meaningful dialogue and renewed connections across communities historically linked via the railway.
Our Route
Portadown
The Great Northern Railway stop at Portadown was an important part of the town’s railway history, connecting local communities with destinations across Northern Ireland and beyond. The railway played a significant role in travel, trade and everyday life, helping to link Portadown with neighbouring towns and communities along the route.
The Portadown to Monaghan passenger service closed in September 1957, marking the end of an important cross border transport link.
Glaslough
Glaslough railway station in County Monaghan opened in 1858 as part of the Ulster Railway, later becoming part of the Great Northern Railway. Its distinctive stone building featured elegant Gothic Revival details and a private waiting room for the nearby Leslie family of Castle Leslie. The station connected Glaslough with Portadown, Armagh and Monaghan, supporting local travel, trade and community life.
Killylea
Killylea railway station in County Armagh opened on 25 May 1858 under the Ulster Railway and later became part of the Great Northern Railway in 1876. Situated on the route between Portadown and Clones, the station provided an important transport link for the rural village, allowing local people to travel to towns and cities including Armagh, Belfast and Dublin. The station closed on 14 October 1957, but remnants of its platforms can still be seen today, preserving a physical connection to the area's railway heritage
Monaghan railway station was a major hub on the Great Northern Railway of Ireland, opening in 1858. It served as a vital junction for regional travel until its closure to regular passenger services in 1957. The station building remains a significant architectural reminder of the town's prosperity during the steam era, reflecting the deep connections forged between Monaghan and the wider island through the iron road.
Monaghan
For this project we will tracing the 'Great Northern Railway' line from Portadown to Monaghan.Â
Due to the limited amount of time and resources that we have available for this project not every stop will be visited
For this project we will be focusing on the sites of Monaghan, Glaslough, Killylea and Portadown
There will be opportunity to study the other stops not visited as part of this project
