The Pullman Train Carriage - A Slice of History!
Welcome to the Pullman Restaurant aboard the Orient Express
For 10 years the Pullman Restaurant aboard the Orient Express has welcomed diners from all over the world to enjoy probably what is Ireland’s most unique dining experience. In that time, Ireland’s own Boyzone and “James Bond” have enjoyed dinner on the carriages and many is the night that has been enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
Since its opening on the 8th May 1998, the Pullman’ menu has always served the Assiette of Oriental Appetizers or if you’re a regular, The Sushi Plate! From the introduction of this simple dish, the Pullman began to evolve, ironically, into a ‘Fusion style restaurant’, but with all the Irish trimmings. To continue that accidental happening the Pullman menu dips in and out of Far East delicacies while continuing a strong Irish cuisine presence.
The Pullman has won many awards in its 10 years at Glenlo Abbey which have included in 2005, The Most Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year from Georgina Campbell’s Ireland Guide. It has also won RAC merits along with one AA rosette for dining.
The Pullman Restaurant aboard the Orient Express, as you probably already know is a very historic train and please read a little of Leona’s history below.
We truly hope you enjoy your experience and we look forward to welcoming you on board again and again.
The Pullman History
Comprising of two dining carriages, one of which is called Leona, dating back to 1927 it was part of the original Orient Express and carried VIPs all over Europe and the UK during its life span. The legendary Sir Laurence Olivier and other great actors such as Sir John Gielgud, used the Orient Express train which included Leona, to bring them from London to Brighton during the great revival of Shakespeare theatre and ultimately its recording on celluloid.
Nineteen sixty five saw Leonas final journey when she was used as part of Winston Churchills funeral cortege. There are photos to show the late Statesman Sir Winston Churchills coffin being carried aboard the train at Waterloo Station. Beyond the van that will carry the coffin is Pullman Car No.208, LEONA.
After this event, Leona was retired from service, however in 1974 it returned along with other carriages to play a starring role in the classic, Murder on the Orient Express, that featured greats such as Albert Finney and Sean Connery.
In forty-seven years, Leona can certainly say it lived a life. In the seventies and eighties it spent time in rail yards and before being purchased by the Bourke Family in 1997, she was a restaurant in Elsenham Station in Essex
and included the 1954 carriage, Linda, which makes up the other half of the dining facility of the Pullman Restaurant. Opened in May 1998, the Pullman Restaurant aboard the Orient Express enjoys fabulous views of Lough Corrib and ironically is only about 300 meters away from the old track bed of the now lost Galway- Clifden railway line which was disbanded in the mid 1930s.