Downpatrick and County Down Railway

The Downpatrick and County Down Railway is a restored railway operating vintage trains across a three-sided track network in County Down. The line connects Downpatrick town with historic sites scattered through the surrounding countryside.

The railway began as a preservation effort in 1985, rescuing a section of the former Belfast and County Down Railway that had stopped running in 1950. The original network was built in the 1800s and served as a major transport link for the region for many decades.

The museum displays personal items and station objects that show how people traveled in this region across different eras, revealing daily railway life through everyday objects.

Trains depart from Downpatrick Station and you can step off at historical sites like Inch Abbey for further exploration. Set aside a few hours to enjoy both the train ride and to walk around the nearby areas.

The track uses a less common gauge that differs from most British railways, a remnant of how the original line was built. This makes it a technical curiosity among European heritage railways.

Location: County Down

Operator: Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Part of: list of heritage railways in Northern Ireland

Address: Market Street, DOWNPATRICK, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Website: http://downrail.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 54.32566,-5.72229

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55