There were a number of prominent women who played various parts, chief among them being Una Creggan, Pam McCaul, Esther Blair, Lottie McKeown, Eilish Morley, Phyllis McKeown, Theresa Magee, Ester Boyle and Lily McCormick. 

The first task was to establish a social centre. A number of pre-fabricated aluminium huts were acquired cheaply (£80) from McQuillan Bros (excess stock from the Clanrye Avenue development) and Lou Morgan, who had worked all over Britain building just such homes brought together a party of local handymen – a few of them already named - to assemble, equip and paint them. This temporary social centre played its part well for over a decade.

Much later a proper brick-built social centre worthy of the Estate rose up close to the Camlough Road. Many people played their parts in manning and utilising the Centre on behalf of all ages and interests in the community – Bernie Hughes, for one example, training young boxers there – as indeed he continues to do in other premises in Derrybeg – although it was Lou Morgan who began this enterprise: 

“At one time we had 5 British champion boxers – all of them native Derrybeg lads. Indeed two of them were my own sons!”

Lou was instrumental in getting the Flats complex ready and up-and-running. They were facing the home he still occupies. 

It is pleasant now to reflect on the early happy years before the traumatic decades of The Troubles, which greatly affected Derrybeg Estate.

……… more later ……