The genesis of Derrybeg’s community success came when a group of sportsmen decided to raise funds in order to provide a strip for the local soccer team.
John McCullagh
Newry atrocity
Religious fanaticism, the scourge of the twenty-first century political world merely reflects that of the seventeenth century in Europe.
Derrybeg: we move in
‘It doesn’t seem like forty-five years since we stumbled over rubble outside our new home in
However we soon built up a close rapport with our neighbours Mona and Paddy Mallon, Rita and James McKeown, Derek O’Brien and his wife Margaret, Frankie and Bernadette Finnegan, Mary and Margot Carroll – later Mrs Colm Mathers as well as Barney Larkin and his wife Mary (Kelly).
And there was great craic in the Community Centre especially with such personalities as Julie Murney, Susie Blair, Ellie Mulligan, Una Cregan, Teresa Preece, Margaret Cranney and Patsy McKeown.
The shop on the hill was taken by Peader Markey. Peader pointed out that ‘most residents came from strongly-nationalist and working-class backgrounds. They were a proud people who would not be pushed around or beholden to anyone.
They were very honest. Neither I, nor Leo McKenna the grocer ever had a bad debt. And if anyone was in trouble, the neighbours would all rally round.
The open door and traditional hospitality was the norm,’ Peader concluded.
… more later …
Derrybeg Roll-of-Honour
Fabian Boyle takes up the story of the Derrybeg Estate.
‘In addition to the men already named, I feel it necessary to include Mickey McCaul, Davey Morley, Billy Scott, Jim Gorman, Tommy McKeown, Oliver Markey, Jim Morgan, Derek O’Brien, Bobby McAleavey, Dominic McKevitt and Jack McKenna in the ‘Beg roll-of-honour.
Derrybeg: the beginning
In the early Sixties the green fields to the north-west of our home in The Meadow became a building site and the new housing estate of Derrybeg grew up.
Real Dockers
The timber boat men were there along with Micky and Francie McGuirk, Robbie McKee, Martin Havern, Artie Green (RIP) and one great worker Smigsey Smith (RIP). As this was my first time Francie McGuirk told me what would happen.
Bessbrook Mill
The first power flax-spinning mill in
Slow boat
By the third boat we learned that they wanted it unloaded as quickly as possible so we began to slow down, wanting it to last longer than three days because, from what I can now remember it was not really worth all the hassle!
Ring Forts
As we move forward in time in our archaeological review, we find the plentiful ring forts – especially plentiful in our area of interest – which were a feature of the early Christian era (c. 5th century-12th century).