John McCullagh
A Close Shave 1
Sometime around midnight on 13 July 1972, I was making my way down Lindsay Hill after having just seen my girlfriend Margaret home to her house in High Street.
Mitochondria
Though we are happily not aware of it most of the time, we are all familiar with parasites living in our bodies – especially, as now, in winter, when it seems we are constantly assaulted with a host of viruses and bacteria living off us.
Newry Film Club: Departures
Newry Film Club is screening the last film of the season next Wednesday night, 1st June, at the usual time of 8.00pm in Newry Arts Centre.
Ta from Hoo Flun Dong
Sir,
On 7 December I took part in the Singapore Marathon. Before the event I went to a temporary toilet outside the National stadium and unfortunately overbalanced as I sat over the trench. After a struggle I managed to save myself from falling in but sadly my wallet tumbled into the latrine and submerged in a pit of filth. With a heavy heart I left it there and set off for the race.
After the marathon was over I contacted the organisers and told them what had happened. That very evening a man called Mai Ng turned up at my door and presented me with my wallet which was soiled beyond all imagination. Even now it stinks so badly that it makes me vomit and I cannot keep it in the house. I can only imagine the horrid stench that greeted him when he was ordered to retrieve it! I am deeply touched and hope that Mai Ng recovers soon from his illness.
Yours sincerely
Hoo Flun Dong.
Dear Hoo,
Well, never mind who .. but WHAT?? What of value could possibly be in your wallet, that would survive such an ordeal, and still be use-worthy? How did you possibly recompense poor Mai for his heroic endeavor ? I suspect you offered him naught but condolences.
Should you find you have similar experiences in the future, please keep your story to yourself.
You just spoiled my dinner!
Agnes
For a daughter ..
Once more the storm is howling, and half hid
Under this cradle-hood and coverlid
My child sleeps on.
Clock of Crossmaglen
Tall-masted Schooners
By the early eighteenth century Newry had become an important trading centre and tall-masted schooners from all parts of the world sailed up the tidal waterway as far as (the present-day) Quay Street area.
The Golden Teapot
O’er the Carstands, famed in Newry, the Golden Teapot glows,
Hanging high over the traffic, that now so swiftly flows –