William Dargan, an engineer, often seen as the father of Irish railways came from County Carlow, Ireland. Born in 1799, he constructed Ireland's first railway from Dublin to Dún Laoghaire (then Kingstown) in 1833. He constructed over 800 miles of railway to important urban centres of Ireland. He was a member of the Royal Dublin Society and also helped establish National Gallery of Ireland. He died in 1867, and was interred at Glasnevin Cemetery.
The William Dargan Bridge, an impressive cable-stayed bridge on the Luas tram line at Taney Cross, Dundrum is named in his honour.
- See also: History of rail transport in Ireland
