Headhunters Railway Museum Trustee Report 2023 

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 the year our museum volunteers meet with ARUB, the Consultants appointed to plan, design and deliver the Sligo, Leitrim & Northern Counties Greenway and have supported them with access to our extensive collection of plans and station drawings.  The museum made a submission to the Draft All Island Railway Review, advocating for the return of railways to the West and supported a public meeting organised by rail lobby group, 'Into the West', which was well attended and focused on Fermanagh’s absence from the proposed plans. 

The museum was awarded funding from the Community Fund to organise a community 'Coronation Big Lunch' in May at Enniskillen Castle, attended by many local charities and heritage groups, which engaged over 5,000 visitors.  Later in the month Big Lunch organisers joined a very special celebration at Enniskillen Castle, which saw The King and Queen honour people volunteering in their communities and celebrating the rich heritage of Fermanagh. 

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 extends the appeal of the museum to a younger audience and is continually being added to. 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 display. 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. 

A number of railway artefacts were donated to the museum collection and volunteers were involved with their conservation and preparation for display. With the assistance of our museum fund we were delighted to be able to purchase several important artefacts which have a significant local connection.  In particular this has included several signal cabin diagrams from GNRI Stations which are now on display within the museum. 

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. 

A small grant from Fermanagh & Omagh District Council enabled us to reprint our museum visitor guide which is available for free, enhancing the visitor experience. 

Headhunters Railway Museum are members of the Heritage Railway Association, NI 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 NI'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 guidance, 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