The Way We Were…..remembering Barrack Street Railway Depot

A DVD was shown on the day of the exhibiton giving a brief history of the Barrack Street Goods Yard, if you would like to view it, please click HERE.

Nearly 200 people of all ages, from both sides of the border and as far afield as England, travelled to Dundalk on Thursday 30th September to attend a photographic exhibition remembering Dundalk’s railway heritage. The exhibition took place in the Parlour Room in the Great Northern Haven, Barrack Street, the site of Dundalk’s first passenger station, first Railway Works and the Saw Mill for making and creosoting railway sleepers for the entire Great Northern Railway (GNR) network.

Local opinion by visitors was that both young and old very much enjoyed the presentation of photographs and listening to the recordings of local older people who once worked in the Barrack Street site.  Some voicing that the day and the exhibition were “very moving” after having recognized a parent or grandparent in the photographs on display.

Dr Lucia Carragher, from the Netwell Centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology who organised the event said “we are absolutely delighted with the turnout and the interest in the project.  Age is often viewed negatively by society and we need to address such misguided and negative perceptions of older people. Events such as today’s can help achieve this by recognising that older people are active citizens who contribute positively to society. The Netwell Centre would be hopeful that Positive Ageing Week 2010 stimulates debate on the importance of recognising and appreciating older people’s skills, experiences, wisdom and achievements”.

The Way We Were, a project supported by PEACE III Programme and managed for the Special EU programmes Body by the Community Relations Council/Pobulaconsortium.