The Railways of East Donegal

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum are proud to present this event in Convoy's Black Memorial Hall remembering the Strabane Letterkenny Railway and other lines in the Finn Valley and the Laggan.

At the height of the railway era, East Donegal was served by an extensive network with three different companies providing transport in the region. The railway first arrived to Donegal in 1847, when stations in Porthall, St Johnston and Carrigans opened as part of the Londonderry & Enniskillen Railway. The Finn Valley Railway connected Strabane to Stranorlar in 1863, and the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway linked Derry to Letterkenny via Manorcunningham in 1883. Finally, the Strabane Letterkenny Railway opened in 1909, serving Lifford, Ballindrait, Raphoe, Convoy and Glenmaquin. A company in its own right but operated by the County Donegal Railway (CDR), the SLR became one of the busiest lines in the county’s entire network until its closure in 1959.

This event will feature a presentation on the SLR and East Donegal’s wider railway history, a showcase of historic photographs and artefacts, and most importantly an opportunity for community members to share their railway memories and socialise over tea and light refreshments. Convoy Enterprise Centre will also provide artefact displays from Convoy Woollen Mills, a renowned textile operation that helped draw the railway to the area and that grew alongside it for some fifty years.

This event is free, but a suggested donation of €5 helps cover our costs and support our work at the museum.