Ballyshannon’s Railways Remembered: Celebrating 120 Years of the CDR Line

An event is being held to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Ballyshannon Railway, which first opened in 1905.

Ballyshannon once had two railway stations, one operated by the CDR and the other by the Great Northern Railway (GNR). It was a substantial source of employment and economic activity in the town until the closures of the late 1950s. 

Ballyshannon & District Museum and Donegal Railway Museum will be joining forces on Tuesday, August 19, in Dorrian’s Imperial Hotel at 7pm to celebrate the railways that once served Ballyshannon. 

On the night, there will be a short presentation by railway historian Jim McBride featuring photographs of the various stops and stations along the route. Both stations and the nearby towns to which they connected will be discussed – including Laghey, Ballintra, Rossnowlagh, Creevy, Bundoran, Belleek and Pettigo. 

Afterwards, there will be an open-floor session where attendees will be invited to share their own stories of the railway days. Both museums will bring a selection of relevant artefacts together to display as part of a ‘pop-up railway museum,’ and locals who have their own artefacts or photographs are more than welcome to bring them along to showcase too! 

“We are delighted and honoured to be co-producing this wonderful event in conjunction with the Donegal Railway Museum,” Ballyshannon & District Museum Chairman Shane Toolan said.  “The importance, historically, of the Railways to the development of Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Donegal and the greater Western Ulster area can never be underestimated or forgotten. We look forward to a memorable night of memories, stories and pictures in a relaxed environment as we relive the great days of the CDR and the GNR. Everyone is welcome.        

The event is free of charge. For Online Bookings and Further Information, click here.