Now that renovation of McCann’s Bakery is almost complete we can expect shortly to be again bombarded with ‘evidence’ that Newry’s ‘new’ Museum is in fact the very same building that was entitled ‘The New Castell’ on the earliest known map of ‘The Towne of The Newrye’ – the same building that Canavan, Newry’s definitive historian, referred to as the Abbott’s House. My name is Seamus McCaul. My late dad Dan was originally from St Clare’s Avenue. When I emigrated to New Zealand in the mid 60s, the family lived at Killeavy Road in The Meadow. Well yes, I do know! Never, ever judge the book by the cover! This time I failed miserably. I was tempted and succumbed. You would scarcely know it from the expressions on the girls’ faces, but that water in Warrenpoint Baths is ice-cold! Live and learn! I have reason to visit the Salvation Army building on Trevor Hill on a regular basis – so I thought I’d enquire if they knew of the Ebenezer Community of old and where it was centred. But of course! Watching Kelly’s coal boats unloading at the docks or coming through the lock gates on Carlingford Lough. Then for a short period during the war, the American army used the buildings at the station as a temporary staging post for personnel and equipment. I remember that the soldiers had a red diamond on their uniform. Many thanks for the prompt and informative response, John. Really appreciate the pictures too. Firstly, about Derrybeg Villas itself. Perhaps John Clements was ‘sleepless in ..’ when he emailed the following to me, from Seattle, Washington, in the early hours! I thought it interesting enough to post, especially alongside this photo! It was the height of The Troubles and this particular family was well-known to the RUC for being Republican activists. One policeman – he must have been their Intelligence Officer – decided they might be best advised to take the youngest lad Joe, in for questioning. Amazing, really! Apart from the sheep, the lady and the boy shepherds – and of course the dirt road surface It might have been yesterday when I learned – with a start – that my first child was ready to begin school. Selfishly, I thought only of how my own years were running away.Newry Museum building: 1
Cathedral confirmations
The Craic: Mark McCrum
In the Swim!
Ebenezer Chapel revisited
Memoirs: Penultimate
The ‘Red Diamonds’
Derrybeg Villas revisited
Derrybeg Villas
Joe’s release
Downshire Road 100 years ago
Model Schoolchildren
