Joy as Headhunters Railway Museum in Enniskillen turns 25

It was back in 1997 that Fermanagh Railway Heritage Group was established by former railway employees and enthusiasts to support reunion events, and to ensure the important part that rail transport played in shaping our district both socially and economically was recorded, preserved and interpreted for future generations.

Lord Faulkner admires the model railway layout with Nigel Johnston at Headhunters Railway Museum.

All rail services in Fermanagh and the bordering counties closed on September 30, 1957, with Selwyn Johnston bringing together former railway employees and enthusiasts to mark the anniversary some 40 years later.

The first task

There was no formal record of the staff who worked on the railway, or where they then resided, so the first task was reconnecting with former employees and inviting them along to a series of inaugural events, including a reunion dinner at The Railway Hotel, an exhibition at Enniskillen Library, and an illustrated talk on Fermanagh’s railways by Enniskillen born-author and railway enthusiast, Charles Friel.

Lord Faulkner promoting European Heritage Open Days at Headhunters Railway Museum.

This retraced the railways’ journey through towns and villages, and the role local people played in its efficient operation such as station masters, drivers, guards, porters, signalmen, linesmen, clerks and gatekeepers.

Former Great Northern Railway Ireland (GNRI) fireman Kevin Love, driver Douglas Armstrong and Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) clerk Cecil Irvine were instrumental in reconnecting with former railway colleagues, many of whom had not been in touch since the railway closed in 1957, and welcomed the opportunity to share memories.

Indeed, the former railway employees joked that the reunion events 40 years on made the front page of The Impartial Reporter, whilst its closure on September 30, 1957, only managed a brief mention on page eight at the time.

The exhibition at Enniskillen library entitled ‘The Railways of Enniskillen’ brought together railway artefacts from the closed lines of the GNR and the SLNCR.

A permanent home

Such was the interest that members of the newly-formed railway heritage group committed themselves to finding a permanent home for an interpretative display which would showcase our local railway story. This proved challenging for a group that had no funds, premises or staff.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester (right) admires the handbell from Enniskillen Railway Station with Selwyn Johnston, Headhunters Railway Museum volunteer.

In the interim, the group started to record the memories of former railway employees, collect local railway artefacts, organise reunion dinners, railway events and exhibitions at Belcoo and Enniskillen.

It would be another five years before a permanent home would be found for a railway museum, at the unusual location of Headhunters Barber Shop in Darling Street, Enniskillen.

Officially opened by former railway employees on September 30, 2002, it has now grown with their help to be one of the largest collections of small railway artefacts from the Great Northern, Sligo Leitrim and Clogher Valley railways.

Over the years, many reunion events have been held for former railway employees, including nostalgic bus trips to Bundoran and Sligo, retracing the route of the railway and stopping at the various railway stations along the way.

Former railway employees have also been encouraged to publish books recording their experiences working on the railway and that of their colleagues.

The heritage group at Headhunters Railway Museum is a registered charity and volunteers were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017, presented by Viscount Brookeborough, accompanied by Lord Faulkner.

Widely known as a hidden gem, and the ‘World’s only barber shop and railway museum’, it has welcomed TV personalities such as Gloria Hunniford, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Richard Wilson, Rob Bell, Barra Best and Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull.

Volunteers continue to add to the museum collection with many items kindly donated by former railway employees.

The latest addition is a large brass hand bell from Enniskillen Railway Station, which was used by staff to alert passengers that their train was departing.

Headhunters Railway Museum is a member of the Heritage Railway Association (UK & Ireland) and has been recognised at their annual awards ceremony.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester, President of the HRA, joined volunteers for a tour of the artefacts, records and other railway memorabilia.

He said he was delighted to be able to visit the museum again after the Covid-19 pandemic and to see the many improvements and additions since his last visit.

‘A wonderful job’

Lord Faulkner said: “Headhunters does a wonderful job in keeping alive the memory of the many railways in and around Enniskillen, and the part they played in the region’s economy. I often advise my HRA colleagues to visit this unique and important museum, and I wish it well for the future.”

Headhunters Railway Museum and Barber Shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm, with free admission and haircuts optional.

They are also looking forward to opening as part of European Heritage Open Days with other properties in County Fermanagh on Saturday, September 10, from 9am to 5.30pm, and on Sunday, September 11, from 2 to 5pm.

The theme for 2022 is ‘Sustainable Heritage: Learn Use Enjoy’, which encourages us to consider the environment and its impact on our heritage, and how we conserve our built and cultural heritage to develop a more sustainable future.