Places

The Lamplighter: In my childhood the street lighting was supplied by gas. Men were employed to carry a long pole with a small hook on the end, and a wick to be lighted, from lampstand to lampstand. They returned at dawn to extinguish them. Since they had to be up and about at this time, their services were often utilised by the like of factory workers, to wake them up by knocking on doors or tapping on windows. The last lamps in operation were in the South Ward. Does anyone remember them?

Read moreMessage Boys

I also have fond memories of ..

 The Cattle Market: In my youth there were more than one; I remember cattle corralled adjacent to Dublin Bridge Station (as in photos on this site) and a livestock market facing the Frontier Cinema. But by then the main farm stock market was immediately behind our home in Monaghan Street. I remember cows and calves being auctioned there, old farmers feigning disinterest lest they artificially inflate the prices they would pay! 

Read moreCattle Market/Troughs

Having recently been made aware of your website, I would like to share with your contributors/readers recollections of two of my Aunts; these were sisters of my Mother and part of the McCann dynasty from Newry’s most famous “arrondisement” of Chapel Street.

My Mother Jinny McCann was the youngest of a large family. Her brothers all left home at a relatively young age

Read moreNewry from Warrenpoint

The Newry General Holiday was held in the past in September and the various transport services ran cheap excursions to other towns and cities. One of the most popular was the Great Northern Railway Special to Dublin.

Read moreNewry General Holiday

When I was about eight years old my aunt Margaret, home on holiday from England decided to take me on an outing to Omeath. It was an exciting adventure for the trains still ran to Carlingford. 

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My father with his foibles was not always ‘great’ with the local retailers. This made it awkward during the war and after when rationing persisted for many years, for one had to be ‘in the know’ to be sold contraband or ‘under the counter’ items. 

Read morePut the flag out

My mother was a huge believer in the efficacy of prayer. Often in the local Dominican Church she would light a devotional candle for a special intention. 

At one of these times she asked my brother John if he would do this for her. Candles were then one penny each. She had no change only a shilling. He was instructed to call at Ross’s shop and ask Nellie for change.

Read moreLight a penny candle

Lonan Teach an Conais, or Tan Open, or Customs House Avenue as it is now known, was a seven house cul-de-sac under the shadow of the gaol wall. I first saw the light of day in Number 5 there. I had sisters Maeve and later Carmel and Anne. We shared a yard with Number 6 – Dolly (Kearns) and Jamsie Duffy and their son Pat (Sock). Not just the yard (too small to contain a baby Austin car!) but we also shared the water tap and box toilet.

Read moreLonan Teach an Conais

Bartley and Hilda Feehan lived across the street from the McCanns. Batley had two sons Joe and John. She lived for her greyhounds. Joe had then left home and joined the Royal Navy. Later John also took the boat for England. He recently made his first journey home and I regret not having met him then. 

Read moreLast of Chapel St residents