Following their recent award at the Social Enterprise NI Awards 2025, the Downpatrick and County Down Railway has now been given the highest honour a voluntary group can receive.

They have been given The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025, which is equivalent to an MBE.

They have been transforming the railway, restoring it to its best version, thanks to the dedicated efforts of their volunteers.

The railway is one of 231 charities and voluntary groups to win the award this year.

The award involves a multi-stage assessment, and groups that demonstrate extraordinary impact, leadership, and volunteer commitment are deemed successful.

Representatives from the railway will be receiving the award crystal and certificate in the coming months from Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, Lord-Lieutenant of County Down.

Two volunteers will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2026

“We are deeply honoured and proud to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service as we celebrate our 40th anniversary year. This award is a tribute to every volunteer who has helped build, maintain and grow this railway over the past four decades.”

“In recent years we have faced some of the toughest and most unprecedented challenges in our forty years, from the shutdowns of Covid to the devastation of the 2023 Downpatrick floods which left much of the site literally under water. This award is a powerful recognition of every person who rolled up their sleeves and helped rebuild, reopen and restore this railway for the community we serve. Receiving The King’s Award is a tribute to that spirit and to the people who give their time and passion so freely to keep this railway running.”

“This is fantastic recognition of our volunteers. They give their time, skills and passion to preserve Northern Ireland’s railway heritage and to make Downpatrick a welcoming and vibrant destination for visitors. This recognition means so much to our entire community, and we hope it inspires more people to get involved in volunteering and heritage.”

Robert Gardiner, Chairman of the Downpatrick & County Down Railway