The iconic train station from 1952 Hollywood classic ‘The Quiet Man’ is at risk of collapsing if urgent renovations are not made, according to conservation experts.

Known as ‘Castletown’ in the classic film, Ballyglunin station between Athenry and Tuam in north Galway has fallen into serious disrepair.

In response, the local community has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to raise the €30,000 required for restoration work to the roof of the train station, which opened for the first time in 1860.

The station is famed for its leading role in the Oscar-winning classic the Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and directed by John Ford.

The roof of the station began to fall in about a year and a half ago. A charity established by the local community back in 2012, with an aim of preserving the station, has been told by conservation architects that the station will collapse if immediate restoration works are not completed.

Saw Doctors guitarist, Leo Moran, who is official ambassador to the crowd funding campaign, says “We need everyone’s help to save this iconic building so that future generations can enjoy and understand our past. The Ballyglunin Community Development Charity has huge plans to develop this amazing location however; the roof is now at serious risk of collapse. If nothing is done, we’ll be saying goodbye to an important slice of Irish history.”

In 2012, the local community established a charity with the vision of developing the old train station as an international centre for heritage and culture in the west of Ireland. Before her passing, the late Maureen O’Hara officially endorsed the work of the charity saying that “The Ballyglunin Train Station truly is part of Ireland’s great cinematic history”.

You can donate to the campaign here and for more info, please check ballyglunin.com.