Cavan and Leitrim Railway
Volunteer-run narrow-gauge railway museum at Dromod station with rolling stock, vintage buses, military aircraft cockpits and train rides.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Cavan and Leitrim Railway was a 3 ft narrow-gauge line that opened to goods traffic on 17 October 1887 and to passengers a week later. It ran for 54 km between Belturbet in County Cavan and Dromod in County Leitrim, with a tramway branch of about 24 km from Ballinamore to Arigna that served the coal and iron districts around Lough Allen. After the line became part of the Great Southern Railways in 1925 it declined because of road competition, and it closed on 31 March 1959 as the last exclusively steam narrow-gauge line in Ireland.
The preserved section lies at Dromod station, where volunteers have saved the buildings and part of the track. The railway museum shows locomotives and rolling stock, among them the 1908 steam locomotive Nancy, together with railway artefacts, vintage buses, trucks and cars, and First and Second World War artillery. Visitors can also enter the cockpits of Irish Air Corps aircraft that are displayed on the site.
The museum is run entirely by volunteers, who also lead guided tours of the exhibits and offer rides on a narrow-gauge train. Projects include restoring the Tralee and Dingle Railway carriage, supported in part by the Heritage Council, and the locomotive Dromad.
Highlights
- Preserved station and narrow-gauge line of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway (1887 to 1959)
- 1908 steam locomotive Nancy and other railway rolling stock
- Accessible cockpits of Irish Air Corps aircraft
- Vintage buses, trucks and cars, and First and Second World War artillery
- Guided tour and ride on the narrow-gauge railway
Permanent exhibitions
- Narrow-gauge railway and museum collection – Locomotives, carriages and railway artefacts from the Cavan and Leitrim Railway, including the steam locomotive Nancy of 1908, with a trip on the narrow-gauge line.
- Aircraft, vintage vehicles and artillery – Irish Air Corps aircraft with accessible cockpits, vintage buses, trucks and cars, and artillery pieces from both World Wars.
- Operated by
- Cavan and Leitrim Railway (volunteer group)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Children, students and seniors (OAP) |
| Children & teens | €6 |
| Seniors | €6 |
| Students & apprentices | €6 |
| Families | €20 |
The ticket covers the guided tour of the exhibits and a trip on the narrow-gauge railway.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site describes aircraft cockpits that visitors can enter, but gives no information on step-free access or accessible toilets.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €20 |
- Hands-on stations
Discover Ireland lists the railway as family friendly. Visitors can climb into aircraft cockpits and ride the narrow-gauge train.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Dromod station
Dromod station on the Dublin to Sligo line of Iarnród Éireann is beside the museum.
By car
Parking available
Discover Ireland lists paid car parking.
The museum is on Station Road in Dromod village, County Leitrim.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
No details on a café or shop are published on the website.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum recommends 45 to 60 minutes for a visit. It is staffed entirely by volunteers, who guide visitors around the transport exhibits. |
