The Owencarrow Viaduct disaster took place 101 years ago today

Today, Friday, marks the 101st anniversary of the Owencarrow Viaduct disaster.

The disaster remains one of the most tragic events in Donegal’s transport history. It occurred on January 30, 1925, on the Letterkenny to Burtonport Extension Railway as a passenger train attempted to cross the high stone viaduct spanning the Owencarrow Valley in severe weather conditions.

As the train moved slowly across the exposed structure, it was struck by an intense Atlantic storm. Reports describe violent gale-force winds, with some estimates suggesting gusts of up to 120 miles per hour. A sudden blast of wind lifted two passenger carriages off the tracks, smashing them against the viaduct parapet. The roofs were torn away and passengers were thrown from the train into the valley below, while debris was scattered across the structure.

Four people lost their lives in the disaster - Philip Boyle and his wife Sarah from Arranmore, Neil Duggan of Meenabunone, and Una Mulligan from Falcarragh. Nine others were injured, several seriously, and only one passenger escaped without injury. Rescue efforts were hampered by the ferocity of the storm, yet local people responded quickly, braving extreme conditions to help the injured and recover the dead.

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To mark the 100th anniversary, community groups, including the Owencarrow Viaduct Committee and the Creeslough Community Association, organised a commemorative event at the site last year.

A new viewing area was developed, allowing visitors to better understand the scale of the viaduct and the dangers faced on that January day.