Kiltimagh Velorail wins international accolade

THE Kiltimagh Velorail has received an international from the UK National Railway Heritage Association.

Delivery through a partnership between IRD Kiltimagh CLG and Mayo County Council, the Kiltimagh Velorail is built on thirteen kilometres of railway line and a railway station which closed in 1965. It has attracted large numbers of visitors and provided seasonal employment since opening in 2023.

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.

Joe Kelly, CEO of IRD Kiltimagh, said he was ‘delighted’ to accept the award from The National Railway Heritage Awards which is the only UK or Irish body dedicated to encouraging and rewarding best practice in the re-use, restoration and continued upkeep of railway and tramway buildings and structures. 

“The award is also recognition for all the helpful and friendly staff of Velorail who meet our customers daily as well as those staff who perform the essential, often unseen, maintenance tasks,” he added after receiving the award at a special ceremony held in the Merchant Taylors Hall in central London.

Peter McCormack, engineer with Mayo County Council, commented: “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.”