Down Cathedral in Northern Ireland has donated £2,650 to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway (DCDR) from a fundraising gala concert held in June.

The gala concert, held in Down Cathedral, featured performances by Down Youth Community Choir, the Ballygowan Concert Flute Band, Downshire Brass, St Patrick’s Choral Society, and Ballyblack & Quoile Area Women’s Institute combined choir.

The concert was organised by Dr Judith Harper, director of the Ballyblack & Quoile Area Women’s Institute, who also presented the cheque along with Brian and Wendy Poxon from Down Cathedral’s board, longstanding supporters of the railway.

In November 2023, the Downpatrick & County Down Railway and most of Downpatrick town centre were severely affected by heavy flooding.

The rising water levels caused major damage to the railway‘s tracks, rolling stock, and infrastructure, with an estimated cost of upwards of £250,000 for restoration and preventive measures against future flooding.

The Cathedral concert was held in aid of the railway’s ongoing Flood Relief Appeal and as a symbol for the whole of the local community who were affected by the floods.

Since the flooding, the railway has been working hard to repair the damage as not only did it affect the physical infrastructure but also disrupted operating services.

Since then, both the local community and organisations such as Down Cathedral have helped the railway’s volunteers to restore the line to full operation.

Although more work is required to repair the flood damage, the Northern Ireland Rail Safety Authority recently authorised the railway to resume services, just in time for its Halloween “Phantom Flyer”.

Tickets for the “Phantom Flyer” can be bought online by clicking here.

The Downpatrick & County Down Railway still needs funds to fully recover from the flood damage, and information about the Flood Relief Appeal and how to donate are at www.downrail.co.uk/appeal.

“We are incredibly thankful to everyone at Down Cathedral, especially Judith Harper, and everyone who contributed to making this concert such a success. This generous donation will significantly help with our ongoing efforts to repair the flood damage and protect the railway for future generations. The support we’ve received truly shows how much the railway means to the people of Downpatrick.”

Robert Gardiner, Chairman of the Downpatrick & County Down Railway

“This was a very important event in demonstrating to the Downpatrick community that they remain in our thoughts and prayers as they rebuild and look to the future.”

John Auchmuty ,Canon Chancellor of Down Cathedral