Steam, Music and Community Spirit Mark Heritage Week in Greenore

Families and visitors gathered on Euston Street in Greenore on Sunday, 16 August, as the village celebrated Heritage Week 2026 with working steam machines, vintage vehicles, live music and an afternoon of community entertainment.

A little drizzle greeted visitors at the beginning of the afternoon, but the weather did little to dampen the atmosphere.

People from Greenore, Carlingford and surrounding areas continued to arrive, including local families, members of Tidy Towns and members of the golf club.

Steam Comes Back to Greenore

Two fully working steam machines were among the main attractions on Euston Street.

Visitors could see the machinery operating at close range, feel the heat coming from the machines and even see the fire burning inside.

For younger visitors in particular, it provided an opportunity to experience working steam machinery outside the setting of a photograph or museum display.

Later in the day, some visitors even had the opportunity to climb aboard and travel around the block in Greenore.

The display was particularly appropriate for a village whose development is closely connected with railway and maritime history, a story that continues to be preserved at the Greenore Railway & Maritime Museum and Victorian Tea Rooms at Greenore Co-op.

Dundalk Ukulele Strummers Keep the Music Going

The Dundalk Ukulele Strummers provided live music during the afternoon and continued playing even as light rain fell.

As the afternoon progressed, more people gathered around the musicians. Children danced in front of the band while parents, friends and neighbours enjoyed the music and caught up with one another.

The music helped turn what could easily have become a wet afternoon into a relaxed community gathering. People stood around listening and singing along while children enjoyed the space in front of the musicians.

A Community Afternoon

Greenore Co-op became the centre of activity throughout the afternoon, with visitors moving between the outdoor entertainment and the historic building that also houses the railway and maritime museum.

Tea, coffee, fresh scones and other refreshments were served while vintage vehicles arriving for the event added another connection with the past.

Brian from Greenore Co-op and the museum also addressed those gathered, thanking everyone for coming and supporting the event.

An Garda Síochána assisted by diverting traffic away from Euston Street, helping create a safer area for families, children, musicians and visitors while access to the surrounding area continued by an alternative route.

Despite the uncertain weather at the beginning, the afternoon developed into a relaxed local celebration, with music, steam, families and plenty of conversation filling one of Greenore's most historic streets.

Heritage Week Continues in Greenore

Sunday's event was the beginning of a wider programme of Heritage Week activities at Greenore Co-op.

Greenore's Railway Story

Greenore's connection with steam goes much further than Sunday's Heritage Week display.

The village developed around its railway and maritime connections during the nineteenth century, with Euston Street forming part of the historic railway settlement.

Today, Greenore Co-op and the Railway & Maritime Museum help keep that story alive, while events such as Heritage Week give families an opportunity to experience local history rather than simply read about it.

On Sunday, that meant standing beside working steam machinery, seeing the fire inside, listening to live music and spending an afternoon together on one of Greenore's historic streets.

Photography for this feature was provided by Astory Media, a Dundalk-based marketing agency providing professional photography and videography, website design, SEO and digital marketing services for businesses and organisations across Ireland.