On 28th February 2022 the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre announced that, with funding provided through the “Creative Ireland” programme administered by Donegal County Council, they completed the production of a map of County Donegal showing some of the main Donegal railway heritage still to be seen across the County and into Northern Ireland.
Niall McCaughan, Manager of the railway Museum stated: “In recent years there has been an increased interest in railway heritage, locally, nationally and internationally. Here in Donegal is no different, but the uniqueness of the railways that operated across Donegal has a special place in the hearts of the local population, not to mention too the international interest it rightly deserves. Although much of our great railway heritage has disappeared over the decades, there still is surprising a lot about, hidden in plain sight and some of Donegal’s railway heritage is still in operation for different purposes, including as the Bus Éireann bus station in Letterkenny and their depot in Donegal town, both previously part of the Donegal railway network. This includes Station buildings, halts, Gatehouses, bridges, etc. With this in mind, we have produced a simple easy to read folded “Heritage Trail” guide for the county, as well as some locations just across the border.” [1]
I picked up one of these leaflets at the Heritage Centre in Donegal Town. It is a really well-prepared fold-out map with a significant number of important locations on both the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (which served the Northern half of County Donegal from its station in Derry) and the Co. Donegal Railways network.
If you are planning a holiday in Co. Donegal then writing off for one of the leaflets would be worthwhile. They are supplied free, provided the buyer covers postage and packing costs. Alternatively, the leaflet is also available to download as a .pdf file, here. [2]
This is an excellent leaflet providing a great way to plan a trip round Co. Donegal to find railway heritage and to enjoy Donegal’s wonderful scenery. Don’t get so focussed on the railway history that you miss the superb beaches and the rugged moorland scenery.
The leaflet’s suggested stop-off points can supplemented by some excellent railway walking.
The first 6 km of the line from Burtonport (on the L&LSR [3]) is an easily accessible, well-maintained walk. Full details of the walk and associated historic photographs can be found on this link:
The Burtonport Extension of the ‘Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway’ – Part 1
A further excellent walk, part metalled, runs between Falcarragh Railway Station and the Foot of Muckish Trailhead, also on the L&LSR, which can be found within this link:
The Burtonport Extension of the L&LSR (Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway) – Part 3 – Cashelnagor Railway Station to Barnes Gap
An easy stroll is also available adjacent to Lough Connell which can be found within this link:
The Burtonport Extension of the ‘Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway’ – Part 2
It is also possible to follow other lengths of the line which are part of other walking trails or which require a little more adventurous spirit. The full length of the Burtonport Extension of the L&LSR is covered by the series of of which the three above are a part.
References
- https://www.govisitdonegal.com/blog/february-2022/donegal-railway-heritage-trail-guide-launched, accessed on 28thbMay 2023.
- https://www.govisitdonegal.com/getmedia/840d4949-e1f3-4ea2-97b1-c2757fb3e3c2/Donegal-Railway-Heritage-Trail-FINAL.pdf.aspx
- The L&LSR served the northern area of Co. Donegal with a main terminus in Derry. The L&LSR was the ‘Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway’.
Roger Farnworth 
Donegal the pride of all, where they eat the potatoes skin and all.
My gran & G/father were last people running the railway in Glenties .There surnames were GREENE.