New artefacts at Donegal Railway Heritage Museum include Lough Swilly rarities

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum have purchased a treasure trove of historic railway artefacts at auction, among them rarities relating to the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway that operated in Northern Donegal until 1953.

The artefacts were purchased at a ‘Railwayana’ auction of items belonging to Lord Raymond O’Neill last November. O’Neill is a committed enthusiast and collector who played a key role in the preservation of Donegal rolling stock after the closure of the railways in the 1950s.

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He previously donated a number of artefacts to the Donegal museum, including four original locomotive nameplates.

Among the most significant items purchased by the museum at the auction were an original Londonderry and Lough Swilly travel poster and timetable sign; a collection of original travel booklets; and a selection of documents, including annual accounts, reports, and Minutes of Parliamentary Proceedings pertaining to the construction and operation of the Strabane and Letterkenny Railway.

Museum Chairman Seamus O’Donnell said: "We are very pleased to have acquired some very significant artefacts at the recent auction, adding in particular to our collection of Lough Swilly-related items. The ‘Wilds of Donegal’ travel poster is an iconic example of early railway tourism promotion, with a very unique design featuring inset images of Portsalon, Burtonport, Gweedore, Rossapenna, Rathmullan and Gartan. We’re glad to have also got our hand on some rare Swilly travel booklets to go with it, and these will all be used in future exhibitions about the railway companies’ role in tourism development in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

"As a Convoy man, I’m also delighted with the impressive collection of documents relating to the Strabane and Letterkenny Railway that ran past my family home. These materials are a real window into the past, and are a great addition to our collection as we continue our path towards museum accreditation.

"In the coming weeks, the museum launches its Strategic Plan 2026-2030. While there are some new directions set out in that plan, this acquisition attests to the fact that we’re still committed to our core mission – to rescue, restore, showcase, and celebrate the unique railways of County Donegal."