International award for Mayo velorail
KILTIMAGH Velorail, a partnership between IRD Kiltimagh CLG and Mayo County Council, has received an international award from the UK National Railway Heritage Association.
The accolade is for the innovative and courageous repurposing of 13 kilometres of disused railway line, part of the Western Rail Corridor, which closed to passenger traffic in 1965, into a new commercial and sustainable project which will breathe life into the line and the tourism infrastructure of east Mayo.
The partnership between the local community and local authority created a new tourism amenity by clearing and restoring 13km of the rail line and the station house, and now operates the railbike attraction which has brought visitors from all over the world to Kiltimagh and Mayo since it opened in June 2023.
The award was presented by National Railway Heritage Awards chairman and trustee, Andy Savage, MBE, and special guest, Ptolemy Dean, OBE, architect and TV presenter, to Joe Kelly, CEO, IRD Kiltimagh, and Peter McCormack, engineer with Mayo County Council, at a special ceremony held in the Merchant Taylors Hall in London.
The National Railway Heritage Awards is the only UK or Irish body dedicated to encouraging and rewarding best practice in the re-use, restoration and continued upkeep of our rich heritage of railway and tramway buildings and structures.
Speaking after, IRD CEO Joe Kelly said: “I am absolutely delighted to accept this award on behalf of the many people and organisations that have helped bring the Kiltimagh Velorail from idea stage to the point of being a successful tourism project which brings many people to the area each tourism season. I am proud to have been part of the team that has now had their courage and creativity acknowledged by this award, having overcome complexity and adversity to develop a project that is the first of its kind anywhere in Ireland or the UK.
“I am also delighted that in its first two seasons that Kiltimagh velorail has proven itself successful, capable of operating as a community business, employing local people and attracting significant numbers of visitors to the area to have the unique experience that is velorail.
“The award is also recognition for all the helpful and friendly staff who meet our customers daily as well as those staff who perform the essential, often unseen, maintenance tasks.”
Peter McCormack from Mayo County Council’s tourism, recreation and amenity section said: “The awards have a long running history of marking achievements in re-using and restoring railway infrastructure in a sustainable manner and velorail has delivered in this respect while also enhancing Mayo’s outdoor activity offering and delivering on its vision of a county that is sustainable, inclusive, thriving, and proud.”
The project was part funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through Mayo County Council and through the LEADER Programme administered by South West Mayo Development Company CLG as part of the Mayo Local Action Group, he added.
The win was brought to the attention of Mayo councillors at their monthly meeting by local elected member Adrian Forkan yesterday.
He highlighted the positive impact the project has had for the town, with over 3,000 people enjoying the velorail over the summer period, which is a big boost for local businesses.
“It is all positive for the town,” said Councillor Forkan.
And the good news is that next July and August there will be extra capacity on the route, he said, offering congratulations to all involved in the velorail.