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Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains to Inch Abbey and King Magnus' Grave, on Ireland's only full-sized heritage railway.

Built on the trackbed of part of the Belfast and County Down Railway, which ran to Newcastle, the old line was closed and abandoned nearly 60 years ago, the volunteer enthusiasts have laid more than two miles of track to create Ireland’s only full-sized heritage railway.

Steam locomotives from the 1920s and 30s, or diesels from the 60s, convey their passengers in 50 to 100 year old carriages past rebuilt railway buildings and into the County Down countryside to the terminus at Inch Abbey, crossing the River Quoile on its way to the peaceful remains of the 12th Century monastery.  So why not take along a picnic to the Abbey on a warm day?

Photographic display and model railway in station house.

Other special events at St. Patrick's Day, Easter, May Day, Halloween & Christmas.

Wheelchair access.
Euro accepted

NB. This map is based on the postcode and so may not reflect the exact location.

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Prices:

Standard fares are £5 adults, £4 children and OAP. Children under three go free!

Fares for special events such as Hallowe'en, Christmas and Easter may vary.

The nearest Tourist Information Centre is:

Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre

Location / Directions

From Belfast, take the A24 (Ormeau-Saintfield Road) and follow the signs for Newcastle/Downpatrick. At the Carryduff roundabout, take the A7 for Downpatrick. You will pass through the villages of Saintfield and Crossgar.

When you reach the roundabout at the outskirts of Downpatrick follow the signs for Clough/Newcastle (the A25). Make sure you make a right turn at the second set of traffic lights in the town centre into Market Street. When in Market Street, watch out for the Ulsterbus (Translink) station on your right on the edge of town.

Just past the bus station you will see a brown direction sign on the right hand side marked 'Railway Museum.' Turn right and the railway station is in front of you across the car park. Welcome!

If you are travelling from the south, follow the signs for Newcastle or Castlewellan. From either of these towns then follow the signs for Clough or Downpatrick (the A25).

At Clough roundabout take the A25 Downpatrick road. As you approach Downpatrick, watch out for Safeways supermarket on the left. Just past Safeways, on the left, you will see a brown sign marked 'Railway Museum.' Turn left and the railway station is right in front of you. The building in the photograph is the station. Welcome!