Railway Centre urges people to have their say on Barnesmore Greenway

It is more than 60 years since a train last ran on the tracks through Barnesmore Gap, and yet this part of Donegal's railway heritage is still very close to people's hearts.

Even for those who are too young to remember the trains, the sight of the old railway line clinging to the mountainside evokes a sense of nostalgia and of yearning for a return to that iconic mode of transport.

A number of similar stretches of disused track around the country have been turned into greenways, creating an eco tourism attraction and a safe place to walk and cycle for locals and visitors. 

It has been proposed that this happens on the trackbed through Barnesmore, and the public are strongly urged to engage with the consultation process. 

Donegal Railway Heritage Centre in Donegal Town has played a huge role in gathering and preserving railway heritage items, ranging from train tickets to the restoration of an entire engine, the much-loved Drumboe. It's centre really captures a sense of what the railway was like in its heyday, and there is film of trains in the Gap in bygone days. 

The organisation is among those calling on people to have their say in the consultation process.

A spokesperson took to social media to say: "Over the next few days, there will be a number of public consultations about the former railway trackbed through Barnesmore Gap, in Donegal Town, in Ballybofey, and if you can’t make either, an opportunity to respond online. 

"As you may know, it has been our organisation's plan (and in fact original remit), over many decades that sometime in the future, Donegal railway stock would once again operate near Donegal Town.

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"It is very important people come out to the two public consultations sessions in both towns next Wednesday, February 22 between 12 noon and 8pm in the Abbey Hotel, The Diamond, Donegal Town and again on Thursday, February 23 between the same times in Jackson's Hotel, Glenfin Street, Ballybofey"

"Whatever your preference is for the reinstatement of a railway, or for a new greenway, (or both together as has been done in other parts of Europe), it’s important that you have your say about this iconic part of Donegal."

Those wishing to make a submission online can do so here

Anyone who wishes to go to in-person event can attend 
• The Abbey Hotel, The Diamond, Donegal Town, F94 AP8W
Wednesday, February 22, 12 noon to 8pm
• Jackson’s Hotel, Glenfin St, Ballybofey, Donegal, F93 RD40
Thursday, February 23, 12 noon to 8pm