The Downpatrick & County Down Railway (DCDR) is celebrating yet more awards success - with a double victory after its Chairman, Robert Gardiner, and Finance Officer, John Noble, were honoured at the CO3 (Chief Officers 3rd Sector) Awards, held last Thursday at Belfast’s Europa Hotel.
Robert Gardiner was named Leader of the Year in the Small Organisation category, while John Noble took home the Trustee of the Year award, recognising their dedication and exceptional contributions to the heritage railway, voluntary sector, and social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland.
The CO3 Awards celebrate the vital work of charities, social enterprises, and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland, honouring the leaders behind their success. The Trustee of the Year category recognises outstanding governance and commitment, while the Leader of a Small Organisation award celebrates inspirational leadership in smaller charities.
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The DCDR’s recognition at the awards comes during a milestone year for the heritage railway, which is also celebrating its own 40th anniversary in 2025. Since its founding, the volunteer-led organisation has worked to preserve and promote Northern Ireland’s railway heritage, overcoming many challenges along the way, not least the Covid pandemic and devastating floods that hit Downpatrick in 2023, threatening the very future of this unique tourist attraction and social enterprise.
Despite this, the organisation’s resilience has earned it growing recognition for both heritage preservation and community leadership. The volunteer run attraction has now won seven major awards in the past six months, including the Heritage Railway Association's 'Team of the Year' and 'Achievement of the Year' awards, as well as being crowned Northern Ireland Social Enterprise of the Year.
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The railway kicked off its 40th Anniversary year with sold-out events at St Patrick's Day and a special Mother's Day afternoon tea, and is planning a gala dinner in August 2025 to mark its 40th anniversary, more details of which will be released in due course.
Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains through St. Patrick's Country, over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey.
