Newry News and Irish Fun
John McCullagh 
In 1567 Nicholas Bagenal eventually returned to favour with the English administration courtesy of friends in high places such as his patron Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester (Nicholas named one of his three sons Dudley) who himself was a friend of Queen’s favourite Sir Henry Sidney (a few times Lord Deputy of Ireland).
We were out and about with the Radio Ulster reporter Laura Heyden who is to feature the delights of South Armagh in her Radio Ulster show on Saturday week (20 November) at 11.30 a.m. Peter Connolly of the Arts Centre Restaurant in Bank Parade was also there. And there are a few photos of the scenery!
The results of the recent inquiry into the fishing boat loss outside Annalong remind us of how dangerous this occupation is. There is hardly a year without a number of local drownings.
Around the Bridge, on a winter’s eve
A whisper blew between the trees
A chance so rare, to meet and see
A local, world celebrity
I came upon this recently and reflected how true the sentiments and situation were for me and for generations before me. I don’t know the author.
‘The rain poured down in bucketfuls as I cycled home from college some four miles away from our cottage. It was a most welcome sight as I turned into the boreen leading to it. I threw my bike against the wall and ignored Shep’s welcoming barks. The warmth of the kitchen fire met me as I entered.
Dear Agnes
Although I might now be described as middle-class (I own a period house [3 ‘sitting-rooms’!] in a rural setting (well, except that the countryside is dotted with similar mansions) a BMW and a Lexus – and a run around SUV of course) – there was a time when we had very little indeed.
Skipping, hop-scotch and juggling up to three balls against a wall were the exclusive pursuits of young girls in my day. All were accompanied by rhymes either short or long. I was envious that this ‘poetry’ was not for us boys, and gob-smacked that every girl knew them all by heart. I would be delighted if any older ‘girl’ who remembers those I do not, would contact the Journal with their words! Below are just a few that I do recall.
When I was young I had no sense
I bought a fiddle for eighteen pence
But the only tune that I could play
Was ‘Over the hills and far away’.
A third panorama from Martin’s recent helicopter flight. The photo cuts across the main Armagh Road!