Nice little Train Station. On our way to Galway. There is a snack machine, Coke machine and the…read moreTicket machine. There is also a Ticket counter. There is not a lot of seating, Other than that, it's a small nice station

I awoke with with intentions of cycling back to Dublin from Tullamore, but a quick look outside…read moreindicated that it was raining. Much as I enjoy cycling, I wasn't keen on going 150 kilometres in the rain, so we decided to get the train home. I rang my oul lad to find out the times, and fortuitously enough, there was one scheduled to leave in half an hour. He also warned me, though, that there was only room on each train for two bicycles, and we had three, but I figured that we'd head down to the station and sort something out. We got to the station (a 2 min cycle from the centre of town) and made some inquiries at the ticket window. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the lady behind the counter is the most surly and sour-faced oul bitch that I should ever hope to meet. With an expression on her face like a bulldog licking piss from a nettle, she begrudgingly informed us that there was only two bicycles allowed per train. Was there not anything we could do, like disassemble one of the bikes or something? She just shrugged and took another swig from her vinegar bottle (she didn't really). At this point, another man came into the station and approached the counter, so we moved over to let him get to the window and to further discuss our options. He had what looked like an ID or swipecard in his hand, and he asked the woman if he possibly leave it in for someone. She made no verbal reply; she kind of shrugged and reluctantly accepted the item from the man, as if she had been offered a turd wrapped in cellophane. A lady who clearly detests members of the public should perhaps not be working in a customer relations capacity. We decided to buy tickets and hope for the best; when we went to the counter the lady repeated her refrain of two bikes per train. Yeah, we heard you the first ten times you old hag, give us the fucking tickets (which of course we didn't say to her face, but it was very tempting). The tickets were actually very reasonable. There was some promotion on, meaning that instead of being €26, the tickets were only a tenner, and it was only an extra €4 per bike. Out on the platform, we vented a little spleen about the harlot inside, and tried to figure out who would stay behind or what arrangements we'd make, when the conductor (I guess that what he is; yer man on the platform with the green flag) approached us. Three bikes, is it, he asked. Yes, we replied. Well I can't promise anything, but sure we'll do our best to get yiz on, alright? This spot-on chap is what turned a one-star review into a three star review. When the train came along he got all the bikes on with very little fuss. The sour-faced oul bitch on the counter should take a few pointers from her colleague's helpful approach. Tullamore Station: best to have your tickets bought in advance so you don't have to talk to that striapach in at the window, but be sure to doff your cap to the sound conductor.

My local train station in North Tipperary, which they've been threatening to close for as long as I…read morecan remember. It has its drawbacks: There is no office. There is no toilet. There is no ticket machine. Just a platform and a bench, which is covered. You can buy your ticket on the train from the nice conductor man. I really like this station for a few reasons, which are seasonal to be fair: In the summer there is usually some sort of bird taking up roost here. Mainly swallows, but I have see starlings with a brood in under the eaves one year. Waiting for your lift or for the train on a warm summers evening, listening to the surrounding noises such as a dog barking in the distance, birds singing or black bird warnings, the occasion car or tractor going over the bridge nearby. It can be a peaceful place. I am a fan of Clough train station

A beautiful old Ireland station is Ballybrophy. I've been changing trains here all my life…read morepractically as I transport myself between the premier county and the big shmoke. It was given a new waiting and ticket room a few years back, with nice toilets too. The setting was was somewhat marred by the modern footbridge that was also added, which includes an elevator. So very much needed, but has taken away from the station a bit. There are no shops or cafes in the station, but there is the pub just outside the station, aptly called The Signal Box. I assume its still going. It was a handy place to pass the time if your connecting train was late.

Cute little train station in Carlow. They always have lovely flowers in the summer. Station master…read moreis super nice and helpful. It's really clean and well kept. They have a large waiting room if it's raining but it can be a little on the cold side.

A funny station all told, MacDonagh Station in Kilkenny…read more I was on foot and tried to find an easy exit to the shopping centre next door where I was meeting my lift, but there was no convenient way there from what I could see. A quick scan of the car park and I couldn't see any sign posts for people on foot to anywhere. There were signs for the bus stop alright. Maybe there was a sign, but I didn't spot it. One of the taxi drivers there pointed us foot passengers towards the main gate as means of an exit, so I was not trapped after all ;) Speaking of taxis, that was one good thing, there was plenty of them there waiting for travelers disembarking off the train. I was getting a lift, otherwise I would have hopped in one those. On the way home the next day, I had a bit of a wait in the main building here before my train arrived. It was quite cold, so if you need to wait in wintertime, keep your jacket, hat and scarf on. The automatic doors open if you so much as look at them and the winter wind was ready to join us inside. There are ticket machines here as well as a ticket counter. I didn't try the facilities, so cannot comment on them. But there are some, which is always welcome. A-OK.