Dundonald Railway Station, Then and Now…

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Stationmasters

Most of the following dates and names have been found by searching through old Belfast & Ulster Street Directories held by the Linenhall Library, Belfast Central Library and the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland. The years given therefore are approximate and depend on how information was collected to make those directories.

1857	Mr Thomas Lynas Lynas was removed from his post along with porter Hugh Kennedy due to a severe crime committed at the station for which they received 4 years penal servitude.
1866 - 1888	Mr Hance Magee – Mr Magee was in post at least from 1866 when his son is recorded as being born whilst station master at Dundonald. Hance Magee died in service 3^rd September 1888.
1888 - 1889	?
1890	Mr J. Nixon
1891	?
1892	Mr Joseph Coleman
1893	?
1894 - 1898	Mr William John Gilmour
1899	Mr James Graham
1900 - 1901	Mr Robert Brown The 1901 Irish Census shows that when living at Dundonald Station Robert Brown was 33 years old, married with 3 children. He was also author of a small book named “Poems by a Railway Lad” printed by W& G Baird Belfast in 1911. Prior to coming to Dundonald he had been station master at Neill’s Hill. Included in his book is a poem entitled, “A reply to the compliant of the dullness at Neill’s Hill Station.” OCTOBER With sunless skies, earth matron looks, And languid lies October; Beneath a load of yellow fruits, With face both wane and sober. Yet though the sun with clouded face Does thus refrain from greeting, There are true hearts within this place With warm affection beating. Their love-lit eyes to light indeed That never once grows hazy, And inward with electric speed Would set dull hearts half crazy. Thro’ autumn’s haze and winter’s snow An endless taper’s burning Of love, to keep all hearts aglow, As seasons still keep turning.
1902 - 1928	Mr Charles M^cLaughlin Charles M^cLaughlin was a well loved character on the railway and was much missed when he died at Station House on 12/9/1928 after a period of serious illness. He was aged 59½ years and had completed 38 years service with the company. Such was his popularity that short articles appeared in the local newspapers marking his passing. The Belfast Telegraph included the following tribute: “His familiar, genial figure will be missed for many a day by the users of the line. He was a smart, and courteous official, possessed of a genial disposition which made him very popular with the public”. The Belfast News Letter had the following to say: “Mr McLaughlin was well-known to hundreds of travellers on the Belfast and County Down Railway. An ideal official, courteous and obliging, and ever zealous in the performance of his duties, he was respected by all who came into contact with him.” In October 1928 the Senior Porter William Thompson requested consideration for the position of Stationmaster. He appears to have been unsuccessful as by 1930 James Taylor was in the position having moved from Tullymurry were he was Stationmaster.
1929
1930 - ?	Mr James Taylor
? - 1950	Dundonald station closed in 1950 when much of the former BCDR system was shut down. At this time the UTA classified Dundonald as a ‘halt’. This meant although it was still a manned station it did not have a stationmaster of its own. (Instead a foreman or senior porter would have been in charge). Dundonald’s ‘parent’ station was Comber, which also closed at the same time. The last stationmaster at Comber was Mr Samuel Johnston.

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