Downpatrick & County Down Railway Highly Commended in “Outstanding Team of the Year” at Social Enterprise NI Awards
November 11, 2025Congratulations to Downpatrick and County Down Railway
The Downpatrick & County Down Railway (DCDR) has been named Highly Commended in the Outstanding Team of the Year category at the Social Enterprise NI Awards 2025, recognising the extraordinary efforts of the team who led the railway from flood recovery to a full reopening.
The award celebrates the work of DCDR’s Flood Recovery Team, who guided Northern Ireland’s only full-size heritage railway through one of the most challenging periods in its 40-year history. Following devastating flood damage in late 2023, the team led a complex reinstatement programme throughout 2024, rebuilding infrastructure, repairing rolling stock, and reopening the line to the public in September 2024. By the end of the year, a full calendar of family events had returned, including the Phantom Flyer, Lapland Express, St Patrick’s Day, and Easter trains.
The judges commended DCDR’s ability to demonstrate teamwork, community impact, and resilience under pressure, highlighting how the railway’s volunteers, trustees, and part-time staff worked together as a unified social enterprise to safeguard its future.
“Being Highly Commended in such a strong field is a huge honour, and a real testament to what teamwork can achieve. Every single volunteer, trustee, and supporter played their part in bringing this railway back from disaster. We went from flood damage to full reopening in under a year — that’s an incredible achievement for any organisation, let alone one run almost entirely by volunteers.”
Robert Gardiner, Chairman of DCDR, said:
“Being Highly Commended in such a strong field is a huge honour, and a real testament to what teamwork can achieve. Every single volunteer, trustee, and supporter played their part in bringing this railway back from disaster. We went from flood damage to full reopening in under a year — that’s an incredible achievement for any organisation, let alone one run almost entirely by volunteers.”
Robert also paid tribute to his fellow finalists from DCDR who were recognised in other categories.
“It was a great night for the social enterprise sector, and we’re proud that two of our own were also recognised. I was delighted to be shortlisted for Leader of the Year, and we’re all incredibly proud of Shea McKee, who made the shortlist for Young Person of the Year. Even to be nominated alongside so many inspiring people and organisations shows how far the railway has come.”
Shea McKee’s nomination recognised his significant contributions as one of DCDR’s youngest operational volunteers. Since joining the railway, Shea has shown remarkable dedication to heritage engineering and visitor experience, helping to bridge the gap between generations of volunteers. His passion for developing the skills needed to maintain and operate historic rolling stock has made him an invaluable member of the team. His nomination also highlighted how DCDR’s inclusive volunteer training programme creates pathways for young people to gain confidence, technical ability, and teamwork experience within a social enterprise setting.
The Social Enterprise NI Awards are Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of the social economy, recognising organisations that use business as a force for good. This year’s ceremony, held in Belfast’s Crowne Plaze Hotel at Shaw’s Bridge, attracted record entries from across every part of the sector, from health and education to community development and environmental sustainability.
The DCDR team’s recognition follows a year of extraordinary progress. After months of intensive repair and compliance work, the railway’s return to service in September 2024 was a major milestone not only for the organisation but for the wider community. The reopening events saw record ticket sales and a surge in new volunteer interest, marking a powerful comeback for one of Northern Ireland’s most beloved heritage attractions.
Throughout the recovery, DCDR continued to champion social enterprise principles, focusing on education, accessibility, and local partnerships. The railway now sources many of its supplies and services from fellow social enterprises in County Down, helping to support sustainable local development and employment.
Downpatrick & County Down Railway Highly Commended in “Outstanding Team of the Year” at Social Enterprise NI Awards
Photos:
Courtesy of DCDR: Robert Gardiner, David Crone, Morgan Young and Shea McKee with the award
