Mountains Identified

warrenpointtown.jpg

The highest mountain on the Ring of Gullion is the elongate Camlough which on its eastern end sweeps towards Derrymore and Althaveigh until it merges with the Bernish at Cloughogue.  On the far side of the main Dublin Road Fathom Mountain sweeps east and south.

Those mountains that define the horizon from the beach at Warrenpoint are different both in aspect and indeed in constituent minerals, origin and date of intrusion and emergence to the surface.  Anglesey Mountain is behind Omeath and has a very scenic drive up past the Long Woman’s Grave.  That’s a story I have yet to tell you!  It merges at its southern end with Carlingford’s Slieve Foye.  This is all our natural hinterland, but again a story for another day.

The Ring doubles back through Clontygora to cross the ‘border’ at Derryhale.  The fortified hilltops in that vicinity are evidence enough of the limits of political jurisdiction.

The Ring is completed with Aughnaduff Mountains, Slievenacappal, Croslieve, Slieve Brack [at Forkhill], Mullaghbane Mountain, Lislea or Courtenay Mountain, Sugarloaf Hill, Sturgan Mountain and Carrigan’s Hill.  The hilly road that climbs from the northern end of Camlough Lake is called Sturgan Brae – always I thought, a beautiful name incorporating the Gaelic into one’s everyday language.  If one had still to climb it by Shank’s mare, or horse and cart, one would have time enough and to spare, to drink in the wonders of nature that are all around. 

Slieve Gullion, the remains of a long-extinct and collapsed volcano is in the centre and is the highest point.  Its ‘tail’ at Drumintee points towards Forkhill.

Within the Ring [see map elsewhere here] there is a sizable extent of intrusive Newry Granite and the ring itself is mainly of grantitic composition.  There is a little disused quarry on the road from Camlough to Meigh, beside a scenic amenity site that overlooks the beautiful lake from a height of 100 metres, where one can see clearly – because of different coloration – where distinctly different intrusions [both of composition and time] have emerged close to the surface.  [I ruined a good pair of trousers on trailing briars, investigating this information for you – so consider yourself warned!].

Does every hill have a name?  For dear’s sake, it’s not so long ago that every field had a name, as well as every farm animal. 

Ought we all not to slow down a little?

Casting Director

In praise of Newpoint’s Casting Director
A shadowy figure, but a wily inspector
He cast Benny McKay as a chance passer-by
Once again Benny just – passed his chance by.

In his place, Donal O’Hanlon, who is close to the gods
Romped the stage asking – ‘Have you got any odds?’
Laurie Hodgett had the part of a rising tycoon,
And word on the street is, he’s getting there soon!

In Sean Hollywood’s time – speak no ill of the dead
For he was our master, when all’s done and said
In Animal Farm, Eileen played a great cow
You’d an edge to your laughter.  Didn’t you now?

Ann Frank, Geraldine Fitzpatrick, matriarchal Aristocrat
Actress supreme, true thespian sophisticat
Had Treasa Davey as pretty and sweet-talking daughter
We’d all like to have one.  If you don’t, then you ought a!

Mark Hughes, who’s our Council’s artistic carbuncle
No! The gem, not the boil, played her potty old uncle
And Sean Treanor, a bowed and decrepit old serf
As if things were different. Hey, don’t make me laugh!

To play Charlotta Ivanovna, he cast Pauline Lynch
To be honest however, that part was a cinch
The performance, all told, was an unbridled joy
Thanks to new team director, young Patricia McCoy.

Apologies to those whose names don’t appear
I’ve done my own bit of casting, but never you fear!
If you escaped me this time, there’s one thing that’s clear
I’ll be waiting right here for you, this time next year!

Ballad of William Bloat

kildarest.jpg

          Ballad of William Bloat

In a mean abode, on the Shankill Road
Lived a man named William Bloat
He had a wife, the curse of his life
Who continually ‘got his goat’
Till one day at dawn, with her nightdress on
He cut her bleedin’ throat!

With a razor gash, he settled her hash
Oh never was crime so quick
But the drip, drip, drip, on the pillowslip
Of her life blood – made him sick.
And the pool of gore, on the bedroom floor
Grew clotted and cold and thick.

And still he was glad he’d done what he had
When she lay there stiff and still
But a sudden awe of the vengeful law
Struck his heart with an icy chill.
So to finish the fun – so well begun
He resolved – himself, to kill.

He took the sheet from his wife’s coul’ feet
And twisted it to a rope
And he hanged himself, from the pantry shelf
‘Twas an easy end, let’s hope!
In the face of death – with his dying breath
He solemnly – cursed the Pope!

But the strangest turn to the whole concern
Is only just beginning
He went to Hell, but his wife got well
And she’s still alive – and sinning!

For the razor blade, was foreign made
But the sheet -was Belfast Linen.

[by Raymond Calvert]

O’Hanlon of South Armagh

O’Hanlon is a famous and illustrious name in South Armagh and the Newry area.  The O’Hanlons were the most notable Catholic family in Newry in the eighteenth century when Hugh O’Hanlon settled in Mill Street.    


He was a direct descendant of the ancient ‘lords’ of Orior and the son of Hugh Ruabh O’Hanlon of Killeavy and also a nephew of the celebrated Bard of Armagh, Dr Patrick Donnelly [D.D. Bishop of Dromore 1679-1716]. 

Read moreO’Hanlon of South Armagh

Bishop O’Neill of Dromore

The Rev Dr Henry O’Neill was 58 years old when he was elevated to Bishopric of Dromore in 1901.  He was the third son of John O’Neill of Dromore and had a brother Hugh also a priest.  Arthur McCann U.C. J.P. was his brother in law.  He entered St Colman’s College in 1857 and shortly after, at the suggestion of Bishop Blake [just featured] went to Maynooth College for further study.  In 1867 he was ordained by his predecessor as Bishop of Dromore, Dr Leahy [also featured].  He became President of St Coleman’s, a position he held for a decade.  The greater part of the rambling St Coleman’s College of today was built under his stewardship. 

In 1886 he was appointed Administrator of Clonallon Parish.  There he established a Convent of Mercy – which today acts as a refuge and home for elderly people.  The nuns also undertook the education of Warrenpoint’s children.

Throughout his term of office, Bishop O’Neill distinguished himself as an eloquent, zealous and earnest pastor.  He was also an esteemed scholar universally admired and respected as a tolerant citizen and a broad-minded, courteous gentleman.