Rare Donegal Railway artefact returned from New Zealand!

Donegal Railway Museum has received a unique donation to add to its collection ...and it has come all the way from New Zealand.

It has just been donated an original L&LSR Notice Board Plate.

The plate donated by Carolyn Humphries who lives in Auckland originally came from the Burtonport Station and was given to her late husband Keith in 1981 by his aunt, Ethna Gallagher, who was working in the Burtonport station shed. At that time the notice board was either on the floor or still on the wall of the station shed.

Keith was half Irish/ half English and although born in England moved to New Zealand as a toddler. Unfortunately, the plate broke while being shipped to New Zealand in 1981 but was carefully welded back together by Keith.

After 40 years of the plate residing in New Zealand, Keith felt the plate should be repatriated to Ireland to Donegal’s Railway Museum. Keith, a keen railway enthusiast, ended up collecting material with only a New Zealand railway connection.

Manager of the Donegal Railway Museum, Donegal Town Niall McCaughan, said they are delighted that the museum has received this unique donation to add to our collections.

"It’s something that we didn’t have, and it will now take pride of place in our museum. The plate is quite large and heavy, and it is amazing that it has had such a journey!  I would like to remind people that if they have something in their attic, shed, etc., that has a Donegal railway connection, and would like to donate or loan it to Donegal’s Railway Museum so that more people can appreciate it, please contact us at info@donegalrailway.com