I worked
in the Civil Service in Belfast
for many years.On my return from Belfast I moved back to
Creggan and for a year travelled to Newry by bus. It was a bit strange at first; like being back
at school again as the office in John
Mitchell Place was on my route to the Abbey.
After a
year I bought a moped and travelled everywhere on that. Its top speed was 30 mph; it did 120 miles to
the gallon and you pedalled it on hills. I had it for four years and sold it for more
than it was worth. For all its
limitations it gave me the freedom of movement I craved.
The Government
Employment Office in Newry was located then in John Mitchel Place, on a busy
main street, directly opposite the gates to the Newry Market and next door to
Boyd's hardware store. It was an old
three storey building with a back yard accessed by a covered passage from the
street. The ground floor comprised the
signature section with three town boxes, a fresh claims section and the men's
placing section (in those days the Employment Service was administered by the
Ministry).
On the
second floor were the women’s placing section (ruled over by Miss O'Bierne from
Killowen), the Finance Office, the out-office section and the stationery store.
The top floor housed the Insurance
Officer (Frank O'Connor from Warrenpoint), the Local Tribunal section, the
typists, Rating Section and the Manager's Office.
History 
