Downpatrick & County Down Railway Celebrates Double Win at CO3 Leadership Awards
The Downpatrick & County Down Railway (DCDR) is celebrating yet more awards success – with a double victory after its Chairman, Robert Gardiner, and Finance Officer, John Noble, were honoured at the CO3 (Chief Officers 3rd Sector) Awards, held last Thursday at Belfast’s Europa Hotel.
Robert Gardiner was named Leader of the Year in the Small Organisation category, while John Noble took home the Trustee of the Year award, recognising their dedication and exceptional contributions to the heritage railway, voluntary sector, and social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland.
The awards, hosted by former broadcaster Sarah Travers, were part of CO3’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, recognising outstanding leadership within the third sector.
The CO3 Awards celebrate the vital work of charities, social enterprises, and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland, honouring the leaders behind their success.
The Trustee of the Year category recognises outstanding governance and commitment, while the Leader of a Small Organisation award celebrates inspirational leadership in smaller charities.
John Noble, honoured as Trustee of the Year, said: “I am deeply honoured to be recognised for my work as a trustee with the Downpatrick & County Down Railway.
“Winning the Trustee of the Year award at the CO3 Awards is a privilege. The railway is a major heritage attraction in Ireland, supported by volunteers, all of whom should share in this recognition.”
Robert Gardiner, named Leader of a Small Organisation, said: “I feel very humbled by this award. While I’ve collected a fair few for the railway recently, this one is different as it’s personal recognition – I haven’t received an award for myself since winning a school prize thirty years ago!
“There’s always that tense moment when you’re convinced it won’t be you when you see the calibre of people you’re up against – most of whom get a salary for what they do and aren’t volunteers giving up their spare time to run a social enterprise and charity like us.
“I just recall closing my eyes as I heard ‘let’s hear it for Robert…’ and then realising I needed to go up! A big thanks to my colleagues for the nomination and to everyone at the railway—these awards celebrate all of us.”
The DCDR’s recognition at the awards comes during a milestone year for the heritage railway, which is also celebrating its own 40th anniversary in 2025.
Since its founding, the volunteer-led organisation has worked to preserve and promote Northern Ireland’s railway heritage, overcoming many challenges along the way, not least the Covid pandemic and devastating floods that hit Downpatrick in 2023, threatening the very future of this unique tourist attraction and social enterprise.xa0
Despite this, the organisation’s resilience has earned it growing recognition for both heritage preservation and community leadership.
The volunteer-run attraction has now won seven major awards in the past six months, including the Heritage Railway Association’s ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Achievement of the Year’ awards, as well as being crowned Northern Ireland Social Enterprise of the Year.
The railway has kicked off its 40th Anniversary year with sold-out events at St Patrick’s Day and a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea.
It is planning a gala dinner in August to mark its 40th anniversary, more details of which will be released in due course.
And of course the Easter Bunny will be back to the railway with the highly popular ‘Easter Eggspress’ – with tickets now on sale at the DCDR’s website at:xa0
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