Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties Railway

Overview

The Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties Railway (SL&NCR) was a privately owned Irish‑gauge line that ran from Enniskillen in County Fermanagh to Sligo Town, threading through the sparsely populated landscapes of Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo. Though the railway closed on 1 October 1957, its trackbed is being reborn as the SLNCR Greenway – a cross‑border, multi‑use trail that links the Wild Atlantic Way with the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Starting at Collooney in County Sligo, the greenway passes through Ballintogher, Dromahair, Glenfarne, Blacklion and terminates in Enniskillen, offering a continuous, low‑gradient route ideal for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users.

History

The line’s origins lie in a series of 19th‑century proposals to connect the Londonderry & Enniskillen Railway with Sligo. After the failure of the Enniskillen & Bundoran Railway to extend westward, the Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties Railway Company was incorporated in 1875. Construction began at a junction with the Great Northern Railway (GNR) in Enniskillen and progressed westward, reaching Belcoo in 1879, Glenfarne in 1880, Manorhamilton in 1881 and finally Carrignagat Junction (near Collooney) in 1882. The railway exercised running powers over the Midland Great Western Railway to reach Sligo itself.

Unique aspects of the SL&NCR included:

• Gauge – a narrow‑gauge line of 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m), cheaper to build than the broad‑gauge routes that dominated Ireland.
• Independence – it remained a private company throughout its existence, never being absorbed into the state‑owned networks that swallowed most other Irish lines.
• Locomotive naming – engines were given names such as Lough Melvin and Lough Erne rather than numbers, a practice that added a local flavour.
• Railbuses – the line pioneered the use of railbuses in the 1930s‑40s, converting road‑bus bodies to run on rails.
• Last steam locomotives – the 0‑6‑4 T “Lough” class built by Beyer, Peacock in 1951 were the final new steam engines to enter service on any Irish railway.

The railway was a vital economic lifeline for the rural west, moving cattle, timber, turf and other agricultural produce to market. During World War II (the Emergency) it became an essential conduit for coal and food supplies between the north and the south, briefly turning a profit.

Partition in 1921 introduced customs checks and the need to handle two currencies, complicating operations. Both the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland subsidised the line in its later years, but the withdrawal of Northern Irish support in 1957 forced closure.

Heritage Highlights

The line’s original livery was olive‑green with polished brass domes; later it adopted a plain black scheme with red‑painted coupling rods. Railbuses carried a two‑tone green with white roofs, while passenger carriages were maroon.

Interpretive panels are being installed as part of Phase 3 of the greenway, explaining these details and the company’s distinctive seal – two locomotives colliding, a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to its competitive spirit.

Route and Trail Details

• Length – roughly 70 km (44 miles) from Collooney to Enniskillen.
• Phases – Phase 1 (Collooney‑Dromahair) opened 2020, Phase 2 (Dromahair‑Glenfarne) opened 2022; Phase 3 (Glenfarne‑Enniskillen) is under construction with additional amenities and interpretive signage.
• Surface – compacted fine‑gravel aggregate, suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes, walking shoes and powered wheelchairs (though a few bridge abutments have minor unevenness).
• Gradient – consistently gentle, never exceeding 2 %, making it ideal for families and less‑experienced cyclists.
• Access points –
  • Collooney (Sligo) – parking beside the former junction; Bus Éireann links to Sligo town.
  • Ballintogher – small car park and a café serving local produce.
  • Dromahair – lay‑by with picnic tables and a viewpoint over the River Drowes.
  • Glenfarne – free parking adjacent to the signal cabin; short detour to the restored Belcoo station.
  • Enniskillen – terminus near the town centre, ample parking and connections to the Ulster Way.

Maps and GPX files are downloadable from the official site, and volunteers are welcome to assist with maintenance and interpretation.

Activities & Things to Do

• Walking & Cycling – The smooth surface and low gradients allow leisurely strolls or longer bike rides. The route passes rolling drumlins, the shores of Lough Gill and the limestone karst of the Cuilcagh region.
• Photography – Scenic vistas of Benbulben, the River Drowes and historic stone bridges provide excellent photo opportunities.
• Wildlife – The greenway traverses habitats frequented by otters, kingfishers and a variety of songbirds; early‑morning walks increase chances of sightings.
• Heritage Exploration – Stop at restored stations, the Glenfarne signal cabin and the Florencecourt stone building to imagine the railway in operation.
• Family Friendly – Gentle gradients, frequent rest points and accessible facilities make the trail suitable for children and wheelchair users.

Practical Information

The SLNCR Greenway is open year‑round and free of charge. It is maintained by a partnership of Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Fermanagh & Omagh councils, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure.

• Parking – Small car parks at each access point; larger facilities at Collooney and Enniskillen.
• Facilities – Public toilets at Ballintogher and Dromahair; cafés at Ballintogher, Dromahair and Enniskillen.
• Bike Hire – Available in Sligo town and Enniskillen.
• Safety – Remain vigilant at road‑crossings, especially former level‑crossings at Belcoo and Florencecourt. Historic mileposts are displayed along the route.
• Transport – Nearest airports: Ireland West Airport Knock (≈70 km) and Belfast International Airport (≈120 km). Train services: Dublin‑Sligo and Belfast‑Enniskillen.

For the latest trail conditions, downloadable maps and volunteer information, visit the official site: SLNCR Greenway.

Connecting Attractions

The greenway provides a natural link between two of the region’s headline attractions – the Wild Atlantic Way on the coast and the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark inland. While on the route, consider a short detour to Benbulben for a panoramic view of the surrounding drumlins, or a visit to Ballintogher to enjoy its charming village atmosphere.

The former Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties Railway is now a living museum, stitching together four counties, two jurisdictions and a century‑old story of ambition, engineering and cross‑border cooperation. Whether you are a railway enthusiast, a cyclist seeking a scenic ride, or a family after a gentle outdoor adventure, the greenway offers a uniquely Irish experience.