Linenhall Square: Beginning

As we have already for other estates, we will shortly list the tenants of Linen Hall Square  from another age. Meanwhile we reproduce here a short article that originally appeared two generations ago, extolling the new working class residences.

‘Upwards of 370 people once housed in slums now have what are probably the most unique homes in Northern Ireland. They live inside stone walls like those around a prison, but the gates have been removed and the residents have more air space than is usual for working class folks. 

For the initial part of its lifetime Linen Hall Square was the location of the White Linen Hall, or exchange. Merchants met here to bargain for the linen woven on hand looms all over the country. For a few decades trade flourished, the linen being exported direct by sailing ship to all parts of the world. Political, market and economic conditions unfavourable to the Irish linen trade then saw a decline. 

Shortly after the Union the Linen Hall and its lands were occupied by the War Office and Newry became a military centre. Later still the barracks proved too small to accommodate whole regiments and for many years the buildings were only occasionally occupied.  

In 1927 the Urban Council acquired the Barracks and at a cost of c.