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Downpatrick & County Down Railway

The Railway Station, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ
Downpatrick & County Down Railway

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About

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.

The Downpatrick and County Down Railway runs through the drumlin countryside of County Down, St. Patrick's Country - over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to the peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey. With a mix of steam and diesel trains, and vintage carriages, there's plenty for train fans of all ages - from wee kids to "big kids".

Built on the trackbed of the Belfast and County Down Railway, which ran to Newcastle and was closed in the 1950s, volunteers have laid nearly three miles of track to create Ireland’s only full-sized heritage railway.

Steam locomotives from the 1930s or diesels from the 1960s convey their passengers in vintage carriages, past rebuilt railway buildings and into the County Down countryside to Inch Abbey, crossing the River Quoile on its way to the peaceful remains of the 12th Century monastery.

At Downpatrick Station, a modern visitor centre, the 'Carriage Gallery', tells the story of the development of railways in Ireland from the 19th century to today, and boasts six vintage passenger carriages - some of same type that starred in the 1952 John Wayne classic 'The Quiet Man' - the second oldest surviving steam locomotive in Ireland, one 1980s prototype Railbus and four goods wagons, including the former Belfast & County Down Railway's "Royal Saloon", which carried the future Kings George V and VI, as well as King Edward VII and their consorts.

The station houses an exhibition of railway memorabilia, and there is a model railway on the ground floor for children. Refreshments are served in an 1950s buffet carriage. You can also visit our restored signal cabin from Bundoran Junction.

Trains run on weekends during the summer with other special events at St. Patrick's Day, Easter, May Day, Halloween & Christmas. Please check our website for details.

Wheelchair access.
 

Contact Us

If you need to contact us by phone, you can do so on +44(0) 28 4461 5779. This number is manned Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 1pm. 

 

Facilities

Attraction Facilities

  • Gift Shop
  • Guided Tours Available

Catering

  • Picnic Area
  • Tea-room/Cafe onsite

Children & Infants

  • Baby changing facilities

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Toilets

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Payment Methods

  • All major credit/debit cards accepted
  • Euros accepted

Provider Preferences

  • Dogs accepted by arrangement

Travel & Trade

  • Family Discount

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Tel+44 (0) 28 4461 5779

Map & Directions

Opening Times

* 12:30 - 17:00
Please check full list of opening days and train times on website

What's Nearby

  1. Down Cathedral, a Cathedral of the Church of Ireland with magnificent stain glass…

    0.15 miles away
  2. The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the World about Ireland’s…

    0.19 miles away
  3. Down County Museum is located in the old county Gaol of Down. It houses fascinating…

    0.24 miles away
  1. Located in the heart of Downpatrick, Down Arts Centre manages the Season Programme and is…

    0.35 miles away
  2. Built 1954 to the designs of S. McIlveen of Ferguson and McIlveen, Belfast. This is a…

    0.43 miles away
  3. Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy…

    0.82 miles away
  4. Struell Wells was built around a stream flowing through a secluded valley. It was a…

    1.81 miles away
  5. The Reserve provides a relaxing natural retreat and offers visitors tranquil riverside…

    1.9 miles away
  6. Two miles outside Downpatrick is the replica of St Patrick's first church in Ireland.…

    2.12 miles away
  7. Situated 8.8km south east of Ballynahinch, on the north east shore of Loughinisland Lake,…

    3.47 miles away
  8. Restored ruins of a sixth century church of St. Tassach, said to have given the last…

    4.25 miles away
  9. Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough in an area of outstanding natural…

    4.32 miles away
  10. Seaforde Gardens, Maze and Tropical Butterfly House promises a truly plant rich and…

    4.86 miles away
  11. Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay.…

    5.07 miles away
  12. An Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey earthwork castle dating to the late 12th or early 13th…

    5.16 miles away
  13. Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century…

    6.41 miles away
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Map & Directions

Road Directions

Directions from Town: 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!

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