Ulster & Connaught Heritage Railways
Visitor Information
Where We Take You
Nestling under the shadow of the picturesque Down Cathedral, the railway currently operates over approximately two miles of a restored section of the former Belfast and County Down Railway main line to Belfast out of Downpatrick to Inch Abbey, a ruined 12th Century Cistercian Abbey, with a further one mile built along the old Newcastle route to a Viking King's Grave, completing a triangle of track, which is hoped will be extended to the hamlet of Ballydugan three miles south of Downpatrick.
In addition to guided tours of the exhibitions and workshops, on running days visitors can experience the delights of traditional railway travel. Steam locomotives from the 1920s and 30s, or diesels from the 60s will take the passengers in 50 - 100 year old carriages from Downpatrick to the tranquil ruins of Inch Abbey. Real enthusiasts can have an exhilarating time by booking a day's experience on the footplate, driving diesel, as well as firing and driving a steam locomotive.
Visitors may choose to take a tour of the station and worksheds, Signal Cabin, etc., to see the behind-the-scenes work going on outside of the train running days. There's also a buffet carriage parked at the platform for teas, coffees and buns, in the station there is a shop with railway themed stock, and upstairs there's a small photo exhibition and a Thomas the Tank engine model railway layout for the kids.
What to See on Your Visit
The railway is located in beautiful countryside, the Downpatrick Marshes, which presents the viewer with totally different aspects at each season of the year. The best views of Downpatrick cathedral, the Church of the Holy Trinity can only be obtained from the railway.
Downpatrick Cathedral from the Loop Platform
St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, is reputed to be buried beside the cathedral, which is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The cathedral occupies the site of an abbey founded by the Norman knight Sir John de Courcy, in the 12th century. It, in its turn, was built on the site of a much older fortified settlement, some of which has been excavated by archaelogists in recent years. It is likely that this hill has been a settlement site for a couple of thousand years, at least.
Flooded Downpatrick Marshes at sunset from the train, with the Mournes on the horizon
The view south-west from close to the site of the burial mound of the Viking king Magnus Barefoot. Until the building of a barrage across the river Quoile, this area was tidal, and even yet the water table is very close to the surface, resulting in extensive flooding during the winter months. The railway at this point, in fact, runs along the edge of an ancient shoreline.
Quoile River from the train
The word 'Quoile' is an Irish word meaning 'wooded' (Scottish gaelic 'Kyle') and the river banks between Downpatrick and Strangford Lough (Viking 'Strong Fjord', referring to the lough's very strong currents) still support extensive woodland. The Vikings used this river as a route inland for their longships.
Inch Abbey
The line's northern terminus is close to the spectacular ruins of the 12th century Inch Abbey. The word 'Inch' is an anglicisation of the Irish word 'Inish' meaning 'island', and in fact the monastery's site was once an island set in the tidal marshes near the mouth of the river Quoile.
