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Headhunters Railway Museum
5 Darling Street
Enniskillen
Co.Fermanagh
Northern Ireland
BT74 7DP
Charity Report for 2022
The objective of the Association is through the provision of a museum to collect,
preserve and interpret items of railway heritage for the education of the general public,
with a particular focus on the railway companies which served Fermanagh and
surrounding areas. In addition, to promote and encourage other forms of social,
cultural and recreational activity within the community for the advancement of
knowledge and appreciation of our railway heritage.
During 2022 we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the fonnation of Fermanagh
Railway Interest Group and 20th Anniversary of the opening of Headhunters Railway
Museum in 2002. We were delighted to have Lord Faulkner, President of The Heritage
Railway Association (UK & Ireland) join us for a celebration event with our volunteers.
As we transitioned out of the pandemic visitor numbers to the museum have steadily
increased and we welcomed back our school visits and youth organisations once
again to learn more about Fermanagh's railways. A number of railway artefacts were
donated to the museum collection and volunteers were involved with their
conservation and preparation for display. With the assistan￿ of our museum fund we
were delighted to be able to purchase several important artefacts which have a
significant local connection. This has included the Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties
Locomotive nameplate 'Lissadell', railway station lamp post signs, the brass bell from
Enniskillen Railway Station, Sligo Leitrim's General Managers brass door plate and an
extensive collection of documentation, timetables & reports relating to the
railways of Fermanagh. We are also grateful for a number of donations which were
made to the museum including tableware and signage. Our volunteers have been
active in cataloguing our entire museum collectionlarchive and this will add greatly to
our ability to be able to respond to research enquiries.

With a small grant from Fennanagh & Omagh District Council it was possible to
re-design and print our museum visitor guide brochure which provides additional
information and a self-guided tour of the museum. The Museum was the location for
several TV programmes including ITV'S DNA Journey featuring Adrian Dunbar and
Neil Morrissey in addition to featuring in the local media.
Volunteers supported a number of community events as part of The Queen's Platinum
Jubilee Celebrations in June 2022 and in particular the connection with railways
through the Coronation Tour in Northern Ireland in July 1953 when Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled by train. The highlight was a special
exhibition hosted at Enniskillen Castle entitled 'Our Coronation Story, which involved
partnership working with many other local community organisations such as the Royal
Scottish Pipe Band Association. Other events included a 'Big Lunch,, musical event
and Church Service. We are indebted to the Community Fund for Northern Ireland
and Enniskillen Rotary Club for supporting these events.
The museum has continued to preserve and interpret items of railway heritage, which
has helped educate the general public as to the part they played in the economic and
social life Co. Fermanagh and the border counties until their closure in 1957. Positive
feedback from visitors has been received through our visitor comments book,
Tripadvisor and Social Media. The model railway continues to be extremely popular
with all visitors, especially the younger folk.
Headhunters Railway Museum prides itself in the way it works with different age
groups throughout the entire community in interpreting local railway heritage. During
the year various organisations have visited the museum for a guided tour. Further
outreach work of the museum included delivering illustrated talks on Headhunters
Railway Museum, how it was established and the work it is engaged. While nurturing
a local connection to railway heritage the museum is also engaged in providing an
experience for visitors throughout the world, who enjoy one of the most unusual
museums, which has one of the largest collection of small Irish railway items on dis-
play. Headhunter's Museum is supported by a number of volunteers, former
employees and enthusiasts who continue to promote its development and give of their
time freely. Our volunteers have continued to work with Belleek Pottery to promote
the connection between railways and the pottery and an exhibition of railway artefacts
is displayed within the Belleek Pottery Museum. Headhunters Railway Museum are
members of the Heritage Railway Association, Nl Museum's Council and Fermanagh
Lakeland Tourism Association. It upholds the highest standards and best practice as
promoted / outlined by these organisations and continues to hold a four star rating
from Tourism Nl's Quality Grading Scheme, which reflects confidence in its ability to
operate safely and professionally. Events which the museum have coordinated further
its purpose and are in accordance with health and safety guidan￿, which ensures that
we have mitigated any harm or associated risk. The museum is located in a working
barbershop and the tour is self-guided. Admission to the museum is free and visitors
are not required to pay for a haircut in order to view the museum. We recognise that
some visitors to the museum may wish to have a haircut and subsequently take a
self-guided tour of the museum or vice-versa. However, this is incidental to providing
members of the public with an opportunity to learn more about local railway heritage
and enhance their appreciation and understanding. Any private benefit received by the
owners of the barbershop is purely incidental to the purposes of our work. In setting

our objectives and planning our activities for the year the Trustees gave careful
consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public
benefit to ensure that activities have helped achieve the charity's purposes and
provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Selwyn Johnston
Chairman
Headhunters Railway Museum