I offer to Journal this photo of five Newry friends – and myself – enjoying a pint in the Irish Bar in Bolton Lancs in the 1990s.
Reminiscence
Brendan Cassidy: Teacher and Friend
There has always been a unique relationship between Ireland and France. For centuries Irishmen served the Fleur-de-Lys by the sword and in so doing sought to serve the shamrock. Irishman Brendan Cassidy served France …
Lovely Welrex Ladies
On a recent trip home Austin Golding supplied Journal with a number of old photos. The one below caught my fancy!
Brendan Cassidy, Ex Abbey Teacher
Just now I received an email from an old friend, advising me of the passing of our former Abbey French teacher of the early 60s … and I was carried back …
Kieran Rowantree RIP
Few families anywhere – much less in Newry of the 50s-60s – were as large as ours, but that of close neighbours, the Rowantrees of Monaghan Row was one such. Remarkably too, James Rowantree was a baker in McCanns, as was my dear dad Sonny.
Brother Dempsey: end
One afternoon near Christmas I heard Brother Dempsey discussing the holidays with another of the Brothers. I kept my eyes on the book and pretended to be deeply involved in A Tale of Two Cities but my ears were intent all the same.
May Procession 80 years ago
If you listen very carefully, you might still hear these wonderful young people singing gaily over all the decades … you know the song … why not join in ?
Tramp class again!
From the papers of 100 years ago we read the following:
“Two tramps of the most objectionable class have been creating fun around Newry for the last few days.
Carstands School
As Abbey Grammar students begin their first term in a spanking new school at Ashgrove, it is perhaps appropriate to remember earlier Christian Brothers Schools in Newry.