Colgan Heritage group to host discussion evening on the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway

The Colgan Heritage Committee, Carndonagh, in association with Donegal Railway Heritage Museum have announced that they will be presenting a talk on the Londonderry & Swilly Railway (L&LSR) on Tuesday, April 11 at 7.30pm in the Colgan Hall, Carndonagh.

The lecture will be given by railway historian and Donegal Railway Museum Board Member, Jim McBride, and is titled: “The Lough Swilly Remembered - A forgotten Irish Railway”.

The presentation will cover the history of this famous railway and will showcase many unique, unpublished photographs which have never been seen before, from the 1930’s right up to its closure in 1953.

The photographs are part of a new book produced by Jim for the Donegal Railway Museum and it will be available on the night of the Talk.

Jim has been involved with railway heritage and preservation for decades and is the Irish Editor for the Disused Stations website.

This will be an important opportunity to hear about the railway and for local people across north Inishowen to talk about the direct experiences of the railway by their families and friends, and members of the public are asked to bring in anything they might have that is connected with the railway, to encourage further dialogue about this important part of Inishowen’s history.

An important part of the evening will be the discussion about the railway locally, where it is hoped to gather stories, anecdotes, artefacts and other information and to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

Many local past news stories and photographs of the railway will also be on display on the evening.

The Carndonagh Railway Station opened in July 1901 and over the next thirty plus years it was an important focus point for life in Inishowen.

The Buncrana to Carndonagh line, via Drumfries, Clonmany and Ballyliffin, saw extensive use in the pre-independence years, during the War of Independence and Civil War, and in subsequent years. Many famous faces passed through the Carndonagh Station, including Eamonn De Valera who arrived to give a talk in the town in 1917.

Historian and Colgan Heritage Committee member, Dr Sean Beattie stated: “The railway was a major boost to the local economy especially before WW1. It transported commodities such as butter, fish and agricultural produce across the country. It was one of the great achievements of the Congested Districts Board”.

Jim stated: “The book looks at the last twenty years of the Lough Swilly Railway from the early 1930s, up to the closure of the railway itself in 1953. This story is told through many historic photos from the past.

“Over 50 unpublished photos have been selected of this forgotten Irish railway, which had some unique and distinctive features.

“This book is published locally, with all profits going towards railway preservation in County Donegal.”

Niall McCaughan, Manager of Donegal Railway Heritage Centre added: “In this publication, Jim has brought together many fascinating and never seen before photographs of the “Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway” in its heyday. This is a welcome addition to the Donegal Railway archive.”

The Lough Swilly Remembered book is available online at: www.donegalrailway.com and at various bookshops across the North West. The new book is just €13 + Postage of €4 = €17.

For more information contact: info@donegalrailway.com or Tel: 074 9722655.

For more information on the Talk and discussion evening in the Colgan Hall please contact Hilary Mc Laughlin-Stonham, Secretary of the Colgan Heritage Committee, at: heritagecolgan@gmail.com.