Last Saturday we marked our 40th birthday in true DCDR style at the stunning Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle – the former jewel in the crown of the old Belfast & County Down Railway.
The Chandelier Room was packed with friends old and new, resounding to the incredible sounds of the Linley Hamilton Quartet, while our wonderful host Cate Conway kept the evening on track with warmth and charm.
We were also delighted to welcome Tim McGarry as our guest speaker – and needless to say, he brought the house down.
Certainly goings on in the railway-world, big and small were not missed.
A heartfelt thank you to all who attended, donated, sponsored, entertained, or supported this unforgettable evening.
Special thanks to our headline sponsors: AMC Training & Consultancy Ltd, Equilibrant Ltd, and Walter Watson Ltd.
And to our valued supporters and friends: Department for the Economy NI, Rhomberg Sersa Ireland, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail, Translink, McBride Lubricants, Norman Elliott Chartered Accountants, Manor Healthcare, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and Dromara & Drumgooland Credit Union Ltd and finally Rail Link Networking.
We also held a silent auction of two pairs of Translink First Plus ‘Enterprise’ tickets which, along with the night’s raffles and merch sales helped us raise an amazing £1,600 towards our flood recovery efforts – thank you to everyone who took part!
It was definitely a night full of memories, laughter, and a few happy tears – a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve still to look forward to. We raised a glass to our past, our volunteers, and to everyone who keeps the railway running – rain, shine, or indeed fire and flood.
Here’s to the next 40 years!
