HOLLYWOOD star Liam Neeson has thrown his weight behind a campaign to save the railway station featured in the 1952 classic movie `The Quiet Man'.
The Ballymena-born star called for people to help "save this iconic building", which is located in Ballyglunin in Co Galway.
The station is well recognised by both tourists and film buffs, who still visit the station, after it featured in the opening scenes of the John Ford classic starring Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne.
However, in recent years, the station has fallen into disrepair.
The Ballyglunin Community Development Charity, which leases the station from Iarnrod Eireann, has now launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise €30,000 for a new roof.
So far, €6,000 has been raised for the campaign.
According to www.ballyglunin.com, there is now "a very real risk that the roof on the Ballyglunin Train Station will collapse".
Taken star, Liam Neeson has now voiced his support for the campaign.
"I have been a professional actor for over 40 years, and during that time I have had the great fortune to have made over 70 films with many world renowned directors," he said.
"Of all those directors, I would say 60 of them have said that John Ford's, `The Quiet Man' is in their top 5 list of favourite and influential films. The movie has become part of Irish folklore and is justifiably and rightly called a Classic film".
He added: "The Ballyglunin train station in Co. Galway played a significant part in that film. The station is now showing its age, and requires urgent repair. We must save this iconic building, otherwise it will be lost.
"Please help save this important part of our film heritage by donating what you can to Fundit.ie or www.ballyglunin.com. Thank you".
