An historic railway building in Co Antrim beautifully restored after lying derelict for more than 40 years has been certified by Tourism Northern Ireland.

The Railway Sleeper is located within the setting of Cullybackey Railway Station, which was first opened in 1856.

Owners Robert and Anne Christie purchased the Grade 1 listed building in December 2019 and began an extensive refurbishment, carefully restoring it to preserve its original features while introducing modern comfort.

The Ticket Bakehouse café opened in July 2022, followed by the launch of The Railway Sleeper accommodation in December that year. The project has already earned recognition, receiving the Great Western Railway Craft Skills Award from the National Railway Heritage Awards in 2023.

Since opening, The Railway Sleeper has welcomed guests from across the world, including Australia, the US, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Ireland – and even locals from Cullybackey.

The Railway Sleeper is an example of how meeting statutory standards supports business growth and strengthens Northern Ireland’s visitor experience.

The property has completed its mandatory certification process that all tourist accommodation providers must adhere to before offering accommodation to the public.

Applications for the certification process, which includes an inspection to ensure minimum statutory standards are met, can be completed online.

Certification protects businesses, assures visitors of quality, and supports a fair and safe accommodation sector across Northern Ireland.

Claire McNaughton, Accommodation Certification Manager at Tourism NI, said: “Well done to Anne on completing a fantastic refurbishment of the property. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality are clear throughout.

“Certification is a mandatory requirement, and it is really encouraging to hear that the experience, and the visit from Quality and Standards, added real value to the process. I wish Anne continued success.”

Anne Christie, owner of The Railway Sleeper, said: “We wanted to bring the building back to life and honour its history. Designing the interiors and sourcing vintageinspired fixtures was a joy.

“We found Tourism NI’s certification process incredibly straightforward, with a friendly and reassuring visit from our certification officer who ensured we met the requirements and offered helpful advice throughout.

“Overall, the experience was enjoyable, supportive, and nothing to worry about.”

For further information about Tourism NI certification, please visit: www.tourismni.com/Forms/