In this article we feature a small selection of photos taken on Ireland’s only operating tramway – Luas in Dublin. A major success story, this network first opened in 2004 and since then has seen not only extensions built but trams extended and a much bigger fleet of Alstom Citadis trams than that with which it started. Geoff Pickles paid a visit in March.
We start off on the Red line – the network is split into two lines, the Red and Green lines – and this is at The Point terminus where two trams wait between their duties. On the left is 3004 and alongside that is 3022. These were some of the original trams built for the network and were delivered as three section vehicles before being extended in 2007/8 to five sections.
We then see 3022 on its way to Saggart at Abbey Street. The Red line has two branches at either end with the city centre end having termini at The Point and Connolly whilst the other end of the line runs to either Tallaght or Saggart.
Switching to the Green line and this photo is taken at O’Connell Street – GPO. This is on a city centre loop and the tram shows Parnell as its destination. This was the first of a batch of 26 trams built in 2009-10, originally 7 sections they are now 9 sections.
In this image we take a look at 5016, another of the same batch of trams as 5001. Its standing at Broombridge terminus and will soon depart with a service to Sandyford.
And then we find ourselves at the very far end of the line from Broombridge – Brides Glen. The destination display on 5032 tells us its going to Parnell on that city centre loop. 5032 is part of the newest batch of trams which run in Dublin, 15 of these Citadis502 trams were built in France between 2017 and 2018. (All Photographs by Geoff Pickles, March 2025)