Newry
Encyclopedia
Newry ˈ is a city
in Northern Ireland
. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh
and County Down
. It is 34 miles (54.7 km) from Belfast
and 67 miles (107.8 km) from Dublin. Newry (together with Bessbrook
) had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population of 87,058. Newry was founded in 1144 alongside a Cistercian monastery
and is one of Northern Ireland's oldest towns.
The city of Newry is one of the constituent cities of the Dublin-Belfast corridor
and sits at the entry to the "Gap of the North", close to the border with the Republic of Ireland
. It grew as a market town
and a garrison
and became a port
in 1742 when it was linked to Lough Neagh
by the first summit-level canal
in Britain or Ireland. In March 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth's
Golden Jubilee
celebrations, Newry was granted city status alongside Lisburn
. Despite being the fourth largest city in Northern Ireland, however, it is not the fourth largest settlement. Newry has long been an important centre of trade because of its position between Belfast and Dublin.
trees".
The modern Irish name for Newry is An tIúr (ən̠ʲ tʲuːɾˠ), which means "the yew tree". An tIúr is an abbreviation of Iúr Cinn Trá, which itself means "yew tree at the head of the strand". This relates to an apocryphal story that Saint Patrick
planted a yew tree there in the 5th century.
The Irish name Cathair an Iúir (City of Newry) appears on some bilingual welcome sign
s.
The small medieval town was enlarged in 1142 with the rebuilding of an older Patrician monastery, and there is strong evidence of continual human habitation in the area from 6th century. The first monastery only lasted until 1162, when it was burned to the ground; however, it was not completely destroyed, and it was later restored to some degree and enlarged by a Cistercian monastery. This monastery itself was later converted to a collegiate church in 1543, before being surrendered to the crown in 1548.
In 1550, an English mercenary
, Nicholas Bagenal
, fled to Ireland after a murder in Yorkshire in which he was involved. After some time he reached a high status, was granted a pardon, and became Marshall of the army. He secured a 21 year lease on the property confiscated from the Cistercians. It is said he later built a castle in Newry but there is not one scrap of documented evidence to prove this. It is recorded in some books that he restored Newry Castle which was first built by De Courcey at the top of Mill Street in 1198, as was typical of the period and De Courcey, his Castle was built within the Abbey grounds, it can be seen on an early English Map fronting the Northern gate of the Abbey. There are still remains of the original Cistercian monastery still standing, walls can be seen around the outskirts of the City, some as far away as Saval where the Abbey extended to. It is presumed by some because of an old statement in a newspaper that Bagenal used the Abbot's house as his castle and so it would seem that the location of the house is the key to this story. A building supposedly discovered quite recently was claimed to be the Abbot's house. This claim was quickly repudiated by a local historian Oliver Curran. According to a map of a typical Cistercian abbey the abbots house can be found else where. The building in question however was sadly transformed into that of the supposed Bagenal Castle because of this far-fetched story and a lot of assumption. Many structures of the abbey can still be seen today; many of the old walls are still standing and a small medieval church can be found in the grounds of the nearby convent which was once part of the abbey. Mention of the convent can be seen in the Bagenal papers. The site was said to consist of a 'church, steeple, and cemetery, chapter-house, dormitory and hall, two orchards and one garden, containing one acre
, within the precincts of the college'. It should be sufice to say that the remains of the Blessed Virgin Church of Newry can be found today on Castle Street, near to the LIDL
store, which was built above its undercrofts. The building was last used as Mc Canns bakery, which was first opened as a bakery in 1896. It must be remembered, however, that when Mc Canns first opened a bakery in Newry it was not in this church building, but one across the street, which is more commonly known as the Coal Hole or the Bucket, and it stood at the top of Hyde Market. Mc Canns first started the bakery here in 1836 and move to the Church in 1896. Its interesting to note that Harris mentioned seeing the Church remains at the top of Hyde Market in his 1740, Ancient and Present history of Down. It is also interesting to note that this 1740 date of the Harris publication is just 20 years after the Bagenal dynasty ended in Newry, and yet Harris gives no indication or mention of a Bagenal Castle, what he saw at this date in time was a church, and yet he does mention all other Castles in the County of Down.
A rental roll, dated 1575, provides a unique insight into life in the town at the time. It listed the names of the tenants in 'the High Street', 'tenements within the Fort' and the Irish Street without the Fort'. These three distinct areas also appear in a map of the same time, along with a fake drawing of the castle.
During the Williamite War, the forces of King James II
set fire to the town in 1689, while retreating from William
.
The town was rebuilt shortly afterwards, and its fortunes changed dramatically. A further period of economic prosperity, evidence of which can be seen in the many fine buildings and public places that can still be seen today.
By 1881 the population of Newry had reached 15,590.
Newry Urban District Council was unusual in that during the period from the 1920s to the 1960s it was one of only a handful of councils in Northern Ireland which had a majority of councillors from the Catholic/Nationalist community. (The others were Strabane
UDC and a handful of rural district councils.) The reason according to Michael Farrell was that this community formed such a large majority in the town, around 80% of the population, that it was impossible to gerrymander. Also an oddity was that for a time it was controlled by the Irish Labour Party, after the left wing of the Northern Ireland Labour Party
defected to them in the 1940s.
during the conflict known as the Troubles
. These were ongoing into the late 90's and even in 2010 - such as bomb scares and car bombs.
See also: The Troubles in Killeen
, for information on incidents at the border and customs post at Newry on the border with the Republic of Ireland
and close to Newry. The British Army
moved in during the 1950s. In 2003, the hilltop watch towers were taken down. The Army finally withdrew from the area in 25 June 2007 when they closed their final base at Bessbrook
. As there are no garrisons in the area the Army has no official presence in Newry or South Armagh
since the end of Operation Banner
.
and Northern Ireland
. About half of the city (the east) lies in the traditional county of Down
and the other half (the west) in the traditional county of Armagh
. The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
made all of Newry part of the administrative county of Down, although this act has since been repealed. Although the Northern Ireland counties were abolished for local government purposes in 1973, they are still used for other functions such as sport (see GAA counties) and are used as the basis ofas lieutenancy and shrievalty.
The city sits in a valley, nestled between the Mourne Mountains to the east, and the Ring of Gullion to the south-west, both of which are designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
. Newry also lies in the shadow of the Cooley Mountains
to the south east. The Clanrye River runs through the centre of town, parallel to the canal
. The city also lies at the extreme northernmost end of Carlingford Lough
, where the canal enters the sea at Victoria Locks.
of Newry, which is partly in County Armagh and partly in County Down. Like the rest of Ireland
, this parish has long been divided into townland
s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language
. The following is a list of townlands in Newry's urban area, alongside their likely etymologies:
, with the Buttercrane Centre and The Quays attracting large numbers of shoppers from as far away as Cork
.
In 2006 Newry topped the league of house prices increases across the whole United Kingdom over the last decade, as prices in the city had increased by 371% since 1996. The city itself has become markedly more prosperous in recent years. Unemployment has reduced from over 26% in 1991 to scarcely 2% in 2008.
Since the inception of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, shoppers from the Republic of Ireland
have increasingly been crossing the border to Newry in order to buy cheaper goods. This owes to a combination of factors: the harsh budget in the Republic of Ireland in October 2008; the growing strength of the euro
against the pound sterling
and VAT
reductions in the United Kingdom
, compared with increases in the Republic of Ireland. This remarkable increase in cross-border trade has become so widespread that it has lent its name to a general phenomenon known as the Newry effect. In December 2008, The New York Times
described Newry as "the hottest shopping spot within the European Union’s open borders, a place where consumers armed with euros enjoy a currency discount averaging 30 percent or more".
However the increased flow of trade has led to resultant tailbacks, sometimes several kilometers long, on approach roads from the south. This has created huge traffic and parking problems in Newry and the surrounding area. It has also become a political issue, with some politicians in the Republic of Ireland claiming that such cross-border shopping is "unpatriotic".
are in Newry. The area has a majority nationalist
population, leading to a council dominated by Sinn Féin
and the Social Democratic and Labour Party
, but there are three Ulster Unionist and one Democratic Unionist Party
(DUP) councillors. Former UUP member Henry Reilly was re-elected in 2011 as a UKIP candidate. Newry and Mourne District Council was scheduled to be merged with the adjoining Down District Council
in 2011 as part of the reorganisation of local government in Northern Ireland
but these plans were shelved.
As a result of the 2011 Northern Ireland Council elections the council is as follows:
The Cathedral of SS. Patrick and Colman on Hill Street was built in 1829 at a cost of £8,000. The structure, which consists of local granite, was designed and built by Thomas Duff
, arguably Newry's greatest architect to date. Incidentally, Thomas Duff also was the architect for the Cathedral in Dundalk, a town just over the border in County Louth
, and it is said that he mixed up the plans for both cathedrals and sent Dundalk
Cathedral to the builders in Newry, and Newry Cathedral to the builders in Dundalk.
The town hall
is notable for being built over the River Clanrye which is the historic boundary between the counties of Down
and Armagh
.
The city also boasts a museum
, an arts centre
and, in recent years, has seen a number of art galleries being opened.
The impressive Craigmore Viaduct
lies just north of the city on the Northern Ireland Railways
Belfast-Dublin mainline. The bridge was designed by Sir John O’Neill with construction beginning in 1849. The bridge was formally opened in 1852. The viaduct consists of eighteen arches the highest being 126 feet, the highest viaduct in Ireland
. It is around a quarter of a mile long and was constructed from local granite. The Enterprise Train link from Belfast to Dublin crosses the bridge.
Every week the Newry Reporter newspaper highlights a historic building in Newry and the surrounding area, giving a brief outline of its history.
Saint Patrick's church
was built in 1578 on the instructions of Nicholas Bagenal, who was granted the monastery lands by Edward VI, and is considered to be the first Protestant church in Ireland.
Protestant Churches
play at the Showgrounds
in the city and currently participate in Championship 1 of the Irish League.
The local amatuer league, the Carnbane League was established in 1968. As of 2011 the teams competing in these leagues at senior level are:
(also known as Newry Rugby Club, Newry RFU or Newry) is an Irish amateur rugby union club, founded in 1925. The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union's Ulster branch. The club currently fields three senior teams and several junior teams ranging from under-12 to under-18 and a women's team for the first time in 2010-2011 season. The club's home ground is known as Telford Park. The team currently has two playing fields located at this ground along with the clubhouse on the outskirts of Newry.
Post-Primary Schools
Further Education
City status in Ireland
In the island of Ireland, the term city has somewhat differing meanings in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.Historically, city status in the United Kingdom, and before that in the Kingdom of Ireland, was a ceremonial designation. It carried more prestige than the alternative municipal...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
and County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
. It is 34 miles (54.7 km) from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and 67 miles (107.8 km) from Dublin. Newry (together with Bessbrook
Bessbrook
Bessbrook is a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies about three miles northwest of Newry and close to the main Dublin–Belfast road and rail line...
) had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population of 87,058. Newry was founded in 1144 alongside a Cistercian monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
and is one of Northern Ireland's oldest towns.
The city of Newry is one of the constituent cities of the Dublin-Belfast corridor
Dublin-Belfast corridor
The Dublin-Belfast corridor is a term used to loosely describe a geographical area that encompasses the cities of Dublin and Belfast and the area between...
and sits at the entry to the "Gap of the North", close to the border with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It grew as a market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
and a garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
and became a port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
in 1742 when it was linked to Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh
Lough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
by the first summit-level canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
in Britain or Ireland. In March 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth's
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
celebrations, Newry was granted city status alongside Lisburn
Lisburn
DemographicsLisburn Urban Area is within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and is classified as a Large Town by the . On census day there were 71,465 people living in Lisburn...
. Despite being the fourth largest city in Northern Ireland, however, it is not the fourth largest settlement. Newry has long been an important centre of trade because of its position between Belfast and Dublin.
Name
The name Newry derives from an anglicization of An Iúraigh, an oblique form of An Iúrach, which means "the grove of yewTaxaceae
The family Taxaceae, commonly called the yew family, includes three genera and about 7 to 12 species of coniferous plants, or in other interpretations , six genera and about 30 species....
trees".
The modern Irish name for Newry is An tIúr (ən̠ʲ tʲuːɾˠ), which means "the yew tree". An tIúr is an abbreviation of Iúr Cinn Trá, which itself means "yew tree at the head of the strand". This relates to an apocryphal story that Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
planted a yew tree there in the 5th century.
The Irish name Cathair an Iúir (City of Newry) appears on some bilingual welcome sign
Welcome sign
A welcome sign is a road sign at the border of a region that introduces or welcomes visitors to the region. Examples of welcome signs can be found near political borders, such as when entering a state, province, county, city, or town, and they are increasingly found in neighborhoods and private...
s.
History
In 1550, an English mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
, Nicholas Bagenal
Nicholas Bagenal
Sir Nicholas Bagenal or Bagnal was an English soldier, marshal of the army in Ireland.-Life:Born about 1510, he was second son of John Bagnal , a tailor who served as mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme by his wife Eleanor, daughter of Thomas Whittingham of Middlewich, Cheshire, and cousin of William...
, fled to Ireland after a murder in Yorkshire in which he was involved. After some time he reached a high status, was granted a pardon, and became Marshall of the army. He secured a 21 year lease on the property confiscated from the Cistercians. It is said he later built a castle in Newry but there is not one scrap of documented evidence to prove this. It is recorded in some books that he restored Newry Castle which was first built by De Courcey at the top of Mill Street in 1198, as was typical of the period and De Courcey, his Castle was built within the Abbey grounds, it can be seen on an early English Map fronting the Northern gate of the Abbey. There are still remains of the original Cistercian monastery still standing, walls can be seen around the outskirts of the City, some as far away as Saval where the Abbey extended to. It is presumed by some because of an old statement in a newspaper that Bagenal used the Abbot's house as his castle and so it would seem that the location of the house is the key to this story. A building supposedly discovered quite recently was claimed to be the Abbot's house. This claim was quickly repudiated by a local historian Oliver Curran. According to a map of a typical Cistercian abbey the abbots house can be found else where. The building in question however was sadly transformed into that of the supposed Bagenal Castle because of this far-fetched story and a lot of assumption. Many structures of the abbey can still be seen today; many of the old walls are still standing and a small medieval church can be found in the grounds of the nearby convent which was once part of the abbey. Mention of the convent can be seen in the Bagenal papers. The site was said to consist of a 'church, steeple, and cemetery, chapter-house, dormitory and hall, two orchards and one garden, containing one acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
, within the precincts of the college'. It should be sufice to say that the remains of the Blessed Virgin Church of Newry can be found today on Castle Street, near to the LIDL
Lidl
Lidl is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany that operates over 7,200 stores across Europe. The company's full name is Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG...
store, which was built above its undercrofts. The building was last used as Mc Canns bakery, which was first opened as a bakery in 1896. It must be remembered, however, that when Mc Canns first opened a bakery in Newry it was not in this church building, but one across the street, which is more commonly known as the Coal Hole or the Bucket, and it stood at the top of Hyde Market. Mc Canns first started the bakery here in 1836 and move to the Church in 1896. Its interesting to note that Harris mentioned seeing the Church remains at the top of Hyde Market in his 1740, Ancient and Present history of Down. It is also interesting to note that this 1740 date of the Harris publication is just 20 years after the Bagenal dynasty ended in Newry, and yet Harris gives no indication or mention of a Bagenal Castle, what he saw at this date in time was a church, and yet he does mention all other Castles in the County of Down.
A rental roll, dated 1575, provides a unique insight into life in the town at the time. It listed the names of the tenants in 'the High Street', 'tenements within the Fort' and the Irish Street without the Fort'. These three distinct areas also appear in a map of the same time, along with a fake drawing of the castle.
During the Williamite War, the forces of King James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
set fire to the town in 1689, while retreating from William
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
.
The town was rebuilt shortly afterwards, and its fortunes changed dramatically. A further period of economic prosperity, evidence of which can be seen in the many fine buildings and public places that can still be seen today.
By 1881 the population of Newry had reached 15,590.
Newry Urban District Council was unusual in that during the period from the 1920s to the 1960s it was one of only a handful of councils in Northern Ireland which had a majority of councillors from the Catholic/Nationalist community. (The others were Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
UDC and a handful of rural district councils.) The reason according to Michael Farrell was that this community formed such a large majority in the town, around 80% of the population, that it was impossible to gerrymander. Also an oddity was that for a time it was controlled by the Irish Labour Party, after the left wing of the Northern Ireland Labour Party
Northern Ireland Labour Party
The Northern Ireland Labour Party was an Irish political party which operated from 1924 until 1987.In 1913 the British Labour Party resolved to give the recently formed Irish Labour Party exclusive organising rights in Ireland...
defected to them in the 1940s.
The Troubles
Newry saw a number of violent incidentsThe Troubles in Newry
The Troubles in Newry recounts incidents during, and the effects of, The Troubles in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland.Incidents in Newry during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities:-1971:...
during the conflict known as the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. These were ongoing into the late 90's and even in 2010 - such as bomb scares and car bombs.
See also: The Troubles in Killeen
The Troubles in Killeen
The Troubles in Killeen recounts incidents during, and the effects of, The Troubles in and around Killeen, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.Incidents in/around Killeen during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities:-1971:...
, for information on incidents at the border and customs post at Newry on the border with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and close to Newry. The British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
moved in during the 1950s. In 2003, the hilltop watch towers were taken down. The Army finally withdrew from the area in 25 June 2007 when they closed their final base at Bessbrook
Bessbrook
Bessbrook is a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies about three miles northwest of Newry and close to the main Dublin–Belfast road and rail line...
. As there are no garrisons in the area the Army has no official presence in Newry or South Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
since the end of Operation Banner
Operation Banner
Operation Banner was the operational name for the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland from August 1969 to July 2007. It was initially deployed at the request of the Unionist government of Northern Ireland to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary . After the 1998 Belfast Agreement,...
.
Geography
Newry lies in the most south-eastern part of both UlsterUlster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. About half of the city (the east) lies in the traditional county of Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
and the other half (the west) in the traditional county of Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
. The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
The Local Government Act 1898 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that established a system of local government in Ireland similar to that already created for England, Wales and Scotland by legislation in 1888 and 1889...
made all of Newry part of the administrative county of Down, although this act has since been repealed. Although the Northern Ireland counties were abolished for local government purposes in 1973, they are still used for other functions such as sport (see GAA counties) and are used as the basis ofas lieutenancy and shrievalty.
The city sits in a valley, nestled between the Mourne Mountains to the east, and the Ring of Gullion to the south-west, both of which are designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
. Newry also lies in the shadow of the Cooley Mountains
Cooley Mountains
The Cooley Mountains are located on the Cooley Peninsula in northeast County Louth in Ireland. They consist of two ridges oriented northwest to southeast, separated by the valley of Glenmore with the Big River running through it....
to the south east. The Clanrye River runs through the centre of town, parallel to the canal
Newry Canal
The Newry Canal, located in Northern Ireland, was built to link the Tyrone coalfields to the Irish Sea at Carlingford Lough near Newry.-History:...
. The city also lies at the extreme northernmost end of Carlingford Lough
Carlingford Lough
Carlingford Lough is a glacial fjord or sea inlet that forms part of the border between Northern Ireland to the north and the Republic of Ireland to the south. On its northern shore is County Down and on its southern shore is County Louth...
, where the canal enters the sea at Victoria Locks.
Townlands
Newry is within the civil parishCivil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of Newry, which is partly in County Armagh and partly in County Down. Like the rest of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, this parish has long been divided into townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
s, whose names mostly come from the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. The following is a list of townlands in Newry's urban area, alongside their likely etymologies:
| Townland | Origin (Irish unless stated) | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Altnaveigh Aghnaveigh (alternate local name) |
Alt na bhFiach Achadh na bhFiach |
glen of the raven Raven Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied... s field of the ravens |
| Ballinlare | Baile na Ladhaire | townland of the fork/gap |
| Carnagat | Carn na gCat | cairn Cairn Cairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas... of the cats |
| Carnbane | Carn Bán | white cairn |
| Derry Beg | Doire Beag | little oak wood |
| Drumalane | An Droim Leathan | broad ridge |
| Lisdrumgullion | Lios Droim gCuilinn | fort Ringfort Ringforts are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Iron Age , although some were built as late as the Early Middle Ages . They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland... of the holly Holly Ilex) is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones world wide.... ridge |
| Lisdrumliska | Lios Druim Loiscthe | fort Ringfort Ringforts are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Iron Age , although some were built as late as the Early Middle Ages . They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland... of the burnt ridge |
| Townland | Origin (Irish unless stated) | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Ballynacraig | Baile na gCreag | townland of the crags |
| Ballinaire | Baile an Iubhair | settlement of the yew tree |
| Carneyhough | of uncertain origin | |
| Cloghanramer | Clochán Ramhar | thick stone structure/causeway |
| Commons | an English name that first appeared in 1810 | |
| Creeve | Craobh | tree/bush |
| Damolly | probably Damh Maoile | house of the round hill |
| Drumcashellone | Droim Caisil Eoghain | the ridge of Eoghan's cashel |
| Greenan | Grianán | eminent place |
Demography
Although officially a city, Newry is classified as a large town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 18,000 and 75,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001), there were 27,433 people living in Newry. Of these:- 26.2% were aged under 16 years and 16.0% were aged 60 and over
- 48.5% of the population were male and 51.6% were female;
- 89.6% were from a Roman Catholic background and 9.4% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background. - 5.5% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.
- 99% of people are European.
Economy
Newry has a reputation as one of the best provincial shopping-towns in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, with the Buttercrane Centre and The Quays attracting large numbers of shoppers from as far away as Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
.
In 2006 Newry topped the league of house prices increases across the whole United Kingdom over the last decade, as prices in the city had increased by 371% since 1996. The city itself has become markedly more prosperous in recent years. Unemployment has reduced from over 26% in 1991 to scarcely 2% in 2008.
Since the inception of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, shoppers from the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
have increasingly been crossing the border to Newry in order to buy cheaper goods. This owes to a combination of factors: the harsh budget in the Republic of Ireland in October 2008; the growing strength of the euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
against the pound sterling
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
and VAT
Value added tax
A value added tax or value-added tax is a form of consumption tax. From the perspective of the buyer, it is a tax on the purchase price. From that of the seller, it is a tax only on the "value added" to a product, material or service, from an accounting point of view, by this stage of its...
reductions in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, compared with increases in the Republic of Ireland. This remarkable increase in cross-border trade has become so widespread that it has lent its name to a general phenomenon known as the Newry effect. In December 2008, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
described Newry as "the hottest shopping spot within the European Union’s open borders, a place where consumers armed with euros enjoy a currency discount averaging 30 percent or more".
However the increased flow of trade has led to resultant tailbacks, sometimes several kilometers long, on approach roads from the south. This has created huge traffic and parking problems in Newry and the surrounding area. It has also become a political issue, with some politicians in the Republic of Ireland claiming that such cross-border shopping is "unpatriotic".
Transport
- The Newry CanalNewry CanalThe Newry Canal, located in Northern Ireland, was built to link the Tyrone coalfields to the Irish Sea at Carlingford Lough near Newry.-History:...
opened in 1742. It ran for 18 miles to Lough NeaghLough NeaghLough Neagh, sometimes Loch Neagh, is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Its name comes .-Geography:With an area of , it is the largest lake in the British Isles and ranks among the forty largest lakes of Europe. Located twenty miles to the west of Belfast, it is approximately twenty...
. In 1777, Newry was ranked the fourth largest port in Ireland. Some surviving 18th and 19th century warehouses still line the canal, and now many houses, shops and restaurants. - In 1885 an electric tramway was opened between Newry and Bessbrook.
- MacNeill's Egyptian ArchMacNeill's Egyptian ArchMacNeill's Egyptian Arch is a railway bridge in Newry, Northern Ireland. Construction was completed in 1851 for the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway Company and was the result of collaboration between engineer Sir John Macneill and constructor William Dargan...
is a railway bridge located near Newry. It was selected for the design of the British One Pound coinBritish One Pound coinThe circulating British one pound coin is minted from a nickel-brass alloy of approximately 70% copper, 24.5% zinc, and 5.5% nickel. The coin weighs 9.50 grams and has a diameter of 22.50 millimetres...
to represent Northern Ireland for 2006. - Newry is served by an UlsterbusUlsterbusUlsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast. It is part of Translink , which also includes Northern Ireland Railways, Metro Belfast and Flexibus.-Services:Ulsterbus is responsible for most of the province-wide bus...
bus station, located in the city centre, that offers local, regional and cross-border services. - A Northern Ireland RailwaysNorthern Ireland RailwaysNI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
stationNewry railway stationNewry railway station serves Newry in Northern Ireland. The station is in the northwest of the town on the Cross Border line next to the 18-arch, high Craigmore Viaduct....
, just off the CamloughCamloughCamlough or Camloch is a small village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is near Bessbrook and the slopes of the Ring of Gullion. It had a population of 910 people in the 2001 Census.- 1920s :...
road, offers cross border services on the Dublin-Belfast lineDublin-Belfast railway lineThe Dublin-Belfast main line is a major railway route in Ireland that connects Dublin Connolly station in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Central station in Northern Ireland.-History:The railway line was built by three separate companies...
. Planning permission for the construction of a new station, to the east of the current station, was granted in May 2006 and the new station opened on 7 September 2009. - Newry is on the main M1/A1 route from Dublin to BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Originally the route passed through the town centre, but in the 60s was bypassed by the Abbey Link. This remained the sole relief road until 1996 when it was superseded by a single carriageway bypass round the western side of the town. By 2008 the road on either side of the town had been upgraded to motorway/high quality dual carriageway standard (southwards from Cloghogue) and low quality dual carriageway (northwards from Beechill). In July 2010 a new high quality dual carriageway with motorway characteristics was opened to bridege the gap, thus connecting Dublin with Belfast by motorway/dual carriageway for the first time. The opening of this section of Road meant that motorists could travel from Clogh in Co. Antrim to MidletonMidletonMidleton, historically Middleton , is a town in south-eastern County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 22 km east of Cork City on the Owenacurra River and the N25 road, which connects Cork to the port of Rosslare...
, Co. Cork by dual carriageway/motorway. Part of this older bypass is still in use between the Camlough Road (A25A25 road (Ireland)The A25 is the name given to the sections of the main route connecting Strangford with Castleblayney that lie in Northern Ireland. It is a road of regional importance, serving much of south Armagh and south Down. The road commences in the village of Strangford, on the shores of Strangford Lough,...
) and the Belfast Road (A1A1 road (Northern Ireland)The A1 is a major route in Northern Ireland. It runs from Belfast via Lisburn and Banbridge to the border with the Republic of Ireland south of Newry, from where the road continues to Dublin, becoming the N1 road and M1 motorway...
). Newry suffers from very heavy traffic with shoppers coming from across the border. Newry is connected with Warrenpoint by a lower quality dual carriageway, some seven miles to the south.
Administration
The headquarters of Newry and Mourne District CouncilNewry and Mourne District Council
Newry and Mourne District Council is a local council in Northern Ireland. It includes much of the south of County Armagh and the south of County Down and has a population of approximately 93,400. Council headquarters are in Newry, the largest settlement and only city in the area; it has a...
are in Newry. The area has a majority nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
population, leading to a council dominated by Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
and the Social Democratic and Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Social Democratic and Labour Party is a social-democratic, Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. Its basic party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom...
, but there are three Ulster Unionist and one Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
(DUP) councillors. Former UUP member Henry Reilly was re-elected in 2011 as a UKIP candidate. Newry and Mourne District Council was scheduled to be merged with the adjoining Down District Council
Down District Council
Down District Council is a Local Council in County Down in Northern Ireland. The Council is headquartered in Downpatrick. Other towns in the Council area are Ardglass, Ballynahinch, Castlewellan, Clough, Crossgar, Dundrum, Killough, Killyleagh, Newcastle, Saintfield, Seaforde and Strangford...
in 2011 as part of the reorganisation of local government in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
but these plans were shelved.
As a result of the 2011 Northern Ireland Council elections the council is as follows:
| Name | District Electoral Area | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Feehan | Newry Town | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| John McArdle | Newry Town | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| Charlie Casey | Newry Town | Sinn Féin | |
| Brendan Curran | Newry Town | Sinn Féin | |
| Valerie Harte | Newry Town | Sinn Féin | |
| Davy Hyland | Newry Town | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
|
| Jack Patterson | Newry Town | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
|
| Mickey Ruane | Crotlieve | Sinn Féin | |
| Mick Murphy | Crotlieve | Sinn Féin | |
| Peter Kearney | Crotlieve | Sinn Féin | |
| Connaire McGreevy | Crotlieve | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| Michael Carr | Crotlieve | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| Sean O’Hare | Crotlieve | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| Declan McAtteer | Crotlieve | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| John Feehan | The Fews | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| Jimmy McCreesh | The Fews | Sinn Féin | |
| Pat McGinn | The Fews | Sinn Féin | |
| Turlough Murphy | The Fews | Sinn Féin | |
| Andy Moffett | The Fews | Ulster Unionist Party | |
| David Taylor | The Fews | Ulster Unionist Party | |
| Colman Burns | Slieve Gullion | Sinn Féin | |
| Anthony Flynn | Slieve Gullion | Sinn Féin | |
| Packie McDonald | Slieve Gullion | Sinn Féin | |
| Terry Hearty | Slieve Gullion | Sinn Féin | |
| Geraldine Donnelly | Slieve Gullion | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| Sean Doran | The Mournes | Sinn Féin | |
| Sean Rodgers | The Mournes | Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| James William Burns | The Mournes | Democratic Unionist Party | |
| Harold McKee | The Mournes | Ulster Unionist Party | |
| Henry Riely | The Mournes | UKIP |
Notable buildings
Thomas Duff
Thomas John Duff was an Irish architect from the town of Newry, County Down. Duff was the principal architect of a number of Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals in the northeast of Ireland....
, arguably Newry's greatest architect to date. Incidentally, Thomas Duff also was the architect for the Cathedral in Dundalk, a town just over the border in County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and it is said that he mixed up the plans for both cathedrals and sent Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
Cathedral to the builders in Newry, and Newry Cathedral to the builders in Dundalk.
The town hall
Newry Town Hall
Newry Town Hall is the civic building of Newry, Northern Ireland however the main Council Chambers are located at Monaghan Row just off the Camlough Road in the city.- History :Newry's town hall was designed by William Batt...
is notable for being built over the River Clanrye which is the historic boundary between the counties of Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
and Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
.
The city also boasts a museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
, an arts centre
Arts centre
An art centre or arts center is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practice and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues for musical performance, workshop areas, educational...
and, in recent years, has seen a number of art galleries being opened.
The impressive Craigmore Viaduct
Craigmore Viaduct
The Craigmore Viaduct is a railway bridge near Bessbrook, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, locally known as the 18 Arches....
lies just north of the city on the Northern Ireland Railways
Northern Ireland Railways
NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
Belfast-Dublin mainline. The bridge was designed by Sir John O’Neill with construction beginning in 1849. The bridge was formally opened in 1852. The viaduct consists of eighteen arches the highest being 126 feet, the highest viaduct in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It is around a quarter of a mile long and was constructed from local granite. The Enterprise Train link from Belfast to Dublin crosses the bridge.
Every week the Newry Reporter newspaper highlights a historic building in Newry and the surrounding area, giving a brief outline of its history.
Saint Patrick's church
Saint Patrick's, Newry
Saint Patrick's Church is a Church of Ireland church in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. The church was built in 1578 on the instructions of Nicholas Bagenal, who was granted the monastery lands by Edward VI, and is considered to be the first protestant church in Ireland. The church was...
was built in 1578 on the instructions of Nicholas Bagenal, who was granted the monastery lands by Edward VI, and is considered to be the first Protestant church in Ireland.
Churches
Roman Catholic- Cathedral of § Patrick and ColmanNewry CathedralNewry Cathedral or the Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Colman is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Newry, Northern Ireland. It acts as the seat of the Bishop of Dromore, and the head church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore.-History:...
, Hill Street - Built 1825-29 - The Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine, Dominic Street - Built 1875
- St. Brigid's, Derrybeg - Built 1970
- St. Mary's, Chapel Street - Built 1789 (formerly Newry Cathedral)
- Church of the Sacred Heart, Cloghogue - Built in 1916
- Church of the Assumption, Drumalane - Built in 1954
Protestant Churches
- St. Patrick'sSaint Patrick's, NewrySaint Patrick's Church is a Church of Ireland church in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. The church was built in 1578 on the instructions of Nicholas Bagenal, who was granted the monastery lands by Edward VI, and is considered to be the first protestant church in Ireland. The church was...
Church of Ireland - Built 1578 - St. Mary's Church of Ireland - Built 1819
- Newry BaptistBaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church - First Presbyterian Church, Sandys Street
- Downshire Road Presbyterian Church
- First Presbyterian Church (Non-Subscribing), John MitchelJohn MitchelJohn Mitchel was an Irish nationalist activist, solicitor and political journalist. Born in Camnish, near Dungiven, County Londonderry, Ireland he became a leading member of both Young Ireland and the Irish Confederation...
Place - Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church
- The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, Trevor Hill
Notable people
- MountaineerMountaineer-Sports:*Mountaineering, the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, trekking and climbing up mountains, also known as alpinism-University athletic teams and mascots:*Appalachian State Mountaineers, the athletic teams of Appalachian State University...
and authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
Terence "Banjo" Bannon is from the town. In 2006 Bannon narrowly survived an attempt to climb K2K2K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth, after Mount Everest...
in which four team members were killed.
- Joseph BarcroftJoseph BarcroftSir Joseph Barcroft CBE, FRS was a British physiologist best known for his studies of the oxygenation of blood....
, respiratory physiologist, (1872–1947) - W. J. BarreW. J. BarreWilliam Joseph Barre was a prolific Irish architect who built many well known buildings in Belfast in a Gothic Revival style, but was always overshadowed by his great rival, Charles Lanyon....
- architect who designed the Ulster HallUlster HallThe Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
in Belfast in the late 1850s. - DaybreakDaybreak (ITV)Daybreak is the weekday breakfast television programme on the British commercial ITV network that broadcasts on weekday mornings from 06:00 to 08:30 and is currently presented by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from Monday to Thursday with Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway on Fridays...
host Christine BleakleyChristine BleakleyChristine Louise Bleakley is a television presenter from Northern Ireland. She joined Daybreak on ITV as co-presenter with Adrian Chiles in September 2010...
was born in Daisy Hill HospitalDaisy Hill HospitalDaisy Hill Hospital is a local general hospital located in Newry, Northern Ireland.The hospital currently houses a neo-natal unit, A&E department, outpatients department and a minor surgery suite...
, Newry in 1979. - Thomas DuffThomas DuffThomas John Duff was an Irish architect from the town of Newry, County Down. Duff was the principal architect of a number of Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals in the northeast of Ireland....
, ArchitectArchitectAn architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, (1792–1848) was born in Newry. Duff is renowned for having designed the Cathedral of St. Patrick and St. ColmanNewry CathedralNewry Cathedral or the Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Colman is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Newry, Northern Ireland. It acts as the seat of the Bishop of Dromore, and the head church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore.-History:...
in the town. - John DunlopJohn Dunlop (Presbyterian)John Dunlop, CBE is one of the most significant figures within Irish Presbyterianism in the latter half of the 20th century.- Early life and career :...
, prominent Presbyterian churchman, was born in Newry in 1939. - Julia GloverJulia GloverJulia Betterton Glover was an Irish-born stage actress well known for her comic roles in the late 18th and 19th centuries.-Biography:...
, an 18th and 19th century stage actress was born in the town. - Frank HallFrank HallFrank Hall was an Irish broadcaster, journalist, satirist and film censor. He is best remembered for his satirical revue programme Hall's Pictorial Weekly.-Early life:...
, broadcaster / satirist, RTERTERTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey... - Seán HillenSeán HillenSeán Hillen is an artist whose work includes collages and the creative use of photographs.-Early life:Hillen was raised in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. He studied at the Belfast College of Art...
, artist, was born and grew up in Newry, and made a large body of photomontage artworks related to the 'troubles', many of which are based on his own photographs taken in and around Newry. They include a series satirically titled "LondoNewry, a Mythical Town.." - Sir William Hill IrvineWilliam Irvine (Australian politician)Sir William Hill Irvine GCMG , Australian politician and judge, was the 21st Premier of Victoria. Irvine was born in Newry in County Down, Ireland, into a Scottish-Presbyterian family...
GCMGOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(6 July 1858 - 20 August 1943), the 21st Premier of Victoria was born in Newry. - Pat JenningsPat JenningsPatrick Anthony "Pat" Jennings OBE is a Northern Ireland former football player. He played 119 games for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper, a figure which at the time was a world record and is still a Northern Ireland record, in an international career which lasted for over 22 years...
, a former goalkeeper and most capped player for Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football teamThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, was born in the town and played for Newry City F.C.Newry City F.C.Newry City is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1923, is based in Newry, County Down and plays its home matches at The Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white... - Ryan McGivernRyan McGivern (footballer)Ryan McGivern is a Northern Irish footballer with Bristol City on loan from Manchester City, he can play left-back or central defender.-Manchester City:...
, Manchester City F.C.Manchester City F.C.Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
defenderDefender (association football)Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and has been capped for Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland national football teamThe Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
. - Michael LeggeMichael Legge (actor)Michael Legge is a Northern Irish actor.He has appeared in a number of stage, film, television and radio roles. He may be best known for playing the teenaged Frank McCourt in Alan Parker's 1999 film, Angela's Ashes....
- actor, best known for his recurring role in the Channel 4 series ShamelessShamelessShameless is a British television drama series set in Manchester on the fictional Chatsworth council estate. Produced by Company Pictures for Channel 4, the first seven-episode series aired weekly on Tuesday nights at 10pm from 13 January 2004...
and for his part in the film Angela's AshesAngela's AshesAngela's Ashes is a 1996 memoir by the Irish-American author Frank McCourt. The memoir consists of various anecdotes and stories of Frank McCourt's impoverished childhood and early adulthood in Brooklyn, New York and Limerick, Ireland, as well as McCourt's struggles with poverty, his father's...
. He was born in Newry and attended St. Colman's Abbey Primary School and St Colman's College. - Actor siblings JohnJohn Lynch (actor)John Lynch is an Irish actor from Northern Ireland.-Biography:John Lynch was born in the United Kingdom and moved to his father's native home in Corrinshego, County Armagh, near Newry, County Down in Northern Ireland as a child. He attended St Colman's College, Newry, a Catholic school...
and Susan LynchSusan LynchSusan Lynch is an actor from Northern Ireland.-Early life:Lynch was born in Corrinshego, Newry, County Armagh, Northern Ireland to an Italian mother and Irish father. Her brother is actor John Lynch, she has a sister, Pauline, who is a drama teacher at St...
, were both born in Newry. - John MageeJohn Magee (bishop)John Magee, SPS was a Roman Catholic bishop in Ireland. He resigned his episcopal seat on 24 March 2010.-Early life:...
, Roman Catholic Bishop of CloyneBishop of CloyneThe Bishop of Cloyne is an episcopal title which takes its name after the small town of Cloyne in County Cork, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it is a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics....
and former private secretary to three popes, Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. - Willie MaleyWillie MaleyWilliam "Willie" Patrick Maley , 25 April 1868 - 2 April 1958, Glasgow, Scotland was a famous Scottish football coach, and the first manager of Celtic Football Club and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history...
(25 April 1868–April 2, 1958), the first manager of CelticCeltic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
was born in Newry. - John MartinJohn Martin (Ireland)John Martin was an Irish nationalist activist who progressed from early militant support for Young Ireland and Repeal, to non-violent alternatives such as support for tenant farmers' rights and eventually as the first Home Rule MP, for Meath 1871-1875...
(8 September 1812 – 29 March 1875) an Irish nationalist was born in Newry. - Peter McParlandPeter McParlandPeter James McParland, MBE is a former professional footballer.-Dundalk & Aston Villa:...
, a former soccer player, who scored for Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in 1958 FIFA World Cup1958 FIFA World CupThe 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
, was born in Newry. - John MitchelJohn MitchelJohn Mitchel was an Irish nationalist activist, solicitor and political journalist. Born in Camnish, near Dungiven, County Londonderry, Ireland he became a leading member of both Young Ireland and the Irish Confederation...
, a 19th century Irish patriot who inspired the Young IrelandYoung IrelandYoung Ireland was a political, cultural and social movement of the mid-19th century. It led changes in Irish nationalism, including an abortive rebellion known as the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848. Many of the latter's leaders were tried for sedition and sentenced to penal transportation to...
Movement, is buried in the Old Meeting House cemetery in the town. - Tomm MooreTomm MooreTomm Moore is an Irish illustrator, comics artist and filmmaker. He is co-founder of Cartoon Saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny, Ireland...
, Oscar nominated filmmaker was born in Newry before moving to KilkennyKilkennyKilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
at an early age. - Actor Gerard Murphy was born in Newry, and was a prominent member of the Newpoint Players theatre group.
- Gaelic footballer, Seán O'NeillSeán O'NeillSeán O'Neill is a retired Northern Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club John Mitchel and was a member of the Down senior inter-county team from the 1950s until the 1960s. O'Neill is one of only four Down players to win three All-Ireland titles...
, regarded as one of the outstanding forwards in the game, was born in Newry. - David O'Reilly aka RigsyRigsyRigsy , real name David O'Reilly, is an award-winning presenter from Newcastle, Northern Ireland, currently living in East Belfast. He is a graduate of Queens University, Belfast....
, a broadcaster with the BBC and popular DJ, was born in Newry on 6 December 1978 and lived in the city until he was ten. - Ronan RaffertyRonan RaffertyRonan P. Rafferty is an Northern Irish professional golfer, who formerly played on the European Tour.Rafferty was born in Newry, Northern Ireland. He won the Boys Amateur Championship aged fifteen and played in the Walker Cup aged seventeen...
(13 January 1964), golfer, was born in Newry. - Charles Russell, Baron Russell of KillowenCharles Russell, Baron Russell of KillowenCharles Arthur Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen, GCMG, PC, was an Irish statesman of the 19th century, and Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.-Early life:...
, (1832–1900), Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, was born in Newry on 10 November 1832. - Matthew Russell, SJ - Irish Jesuit, poet and editor, was born in Newry in 1834. He established the Irish Monthly in 1873 and served as editor for nearly forty years. He also wrote many volumes of verse, and corresponded with the English Jesuit poet Gerard Manley HopkinsGerard Manley HopkinsGerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. was an English poet, Roman Catholic convert, and Jesuit priest, whose posthumous 20th-century fame established him among the leading Victorian poets...
Groups
- The 4 of UsThe 4 of UsThe 4 Of Us are a rock band from Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland, best known outside Ireland for their output in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
- rock band from Newry - Luv BugLuv BugLuv Bug are an Irish pop band originating from Newry in Northern Ireland. They are most famous for representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 with the song "You Can Count On Me".- Career :...
, pop group who represented Ireland at the 1986 Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest 1986The Eurovision Song Contest 1986 was the 31st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 3 May 1986 in the Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway. It was the first occasion on which Norway played host to the contest...
also originated from Newry
Association football (soccer)
Newry City F.C.Newry City F.C.
Newry City is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1923, is based in Newry, County Down and plays its home matches at The Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
play at the Showgrounds
The Showgrounds (Newry)
The Showgrounds is a football stadium in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the home ground of Newry City. The stadium holds 7,949, but is currently restricted to 2,275 under safety legislation....
in the city and currently participate in Championship 1 of the Irish League.
The local amatuer league, the Carnbane League was established in 1968. As of 2011 the teams competing in these leagues at senior level are:
Premier Division
- Newry Celtic
- Rockview United
- Bessbrook United
- Windmill Stars
- Ballybot United
- Woodside
- Finn Harps
- Killeavey United
- Cleary Celtic
- Killowen Celtic
- Kilkeel Athletic
- Damolly United
- Crieve Rovers
First Divsion
- Grasshoppers
- Whitecross AFC
- North End Strollers
- Midway United
- Drumcashlone
- Millburn United
- Parkview
- Ashgrove Rovers
- Rostrevor Rovers
- Bohemians
- Villa Rovers
- Clanrye Athletic
- Newry Juventus
- Cartwheel United
GAA
- The Down GAADown GAAThe Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
team plays at Páirc EslerPáirc EslerPáirc Esler formerly Páirc an Iúir is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the home of the Down Gaelic football and hurling teams and the Newry Shamrocks GAA club. The ground has a capacity of about 20,000...
in the city - Newry Bosco GFCNewry Bosco GFCNewry Bosco GFC are a Gaelic Athletic Association gaelic football club from Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland.The team play in the South Down league. Known for a talented youth system, the under 16s were runners up in the 2006 all-county league....
- Newry Shamrocks GAC
- John Mitchel GFCJohn Mitchel GFCJohn Mitchel GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club, established in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1956 and is called after the Irish Patriot John Mitchel...
- Thomas Davis GFC, Corinshego
- Ballyholland GFC
- St. Monnina GFC, Killeavy
Rugby Union
Newry RFCNewry RFC
Newry RFC is an Irish amateur rugby union club, founded in 1925 and based Newry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union Ulster Branch...
(also known as Newry Rugby Club, Newry RFU or Newry) is an Irish amateur rugby union club, founded in 1925. The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union's Ulster branch. The club currently fields three senior teams and several junior teams ranging from under-12 to under-18 and a women's team for the first time in 2010-2011 season. The club's home ground is known as Telford Park. The team currently has two playing fields located at this ground along with the clubhouse on the outskirts of Newry.
Hockey
Newry Olympic HC is a field hockey team located at the north of the city. The men's first XI currently play in the ONE1918 Senior 1 league.Education
Primary Schools- Ballyholland Primary School
- Bunscoil an IúirBunscoil an IúirBunscoil an Iúir is a Gaelscoil, that is to say an Irish medium primary school in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It caters for girls and boys aged from 3 to 11. It was founded as a cross-community school in 1989...
- Cloughoge Primary School
- Killean Primary SchoolKillean Primary SchoolKillean Primary School is a primary school located in the townland of Killean near Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It caters for girls and boys aged from 3 to 11 and is within the Southern Education and Library Board area....
- Mullaglass Primary School
- St Clare's Convent Primary School
- St. Colman's Abbey Christian Brothers' Primary SchoolSt. Colman's Abbey Christian Brothers' Primary SchoolSt. Colman's Abbey Christian Brothers' Primary Elementary School is a Christian Brothers' school located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland....
- St Joseph's Convent Primary School
- St Malachy's Primary School
- St. Mary's High School
- St Patrick's Primary School
- Windsor Hill Primary SchoolWindsor Hill Primary SchoolWindsor Hill Primary School is an English-medium primary school located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a state controlled school for girls and boys aged from 3 to 11 and has 220 pupils...
- St Ronan's Primary School
Post-Primary Schools
- Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar SchoolAbbey Christian Brothers Grammar SchoolThe Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School is a voluntary day school for boys aged 11 – 18 years in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. A new £18million site opened on the outskirts of Newry moving the school from Courtenay Hill where it had been based since 1966, the school gives its name to...
- Newry High SchoolNewry High SchoolNewry High School is a secondary school in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is within the Southern Education and Library Board area.The school was founded as Newry Intermediate School, changing its name to Newry Grammar School in 1948...
- Our Lady's Grammar SchoolOur Lady's Grammar SchoolOur Lady's Grammar School is a girls' grammar school in Newry, Northern Ireland. It is at Chequer Hill, on the County Armagh side of the Newry River....
- Sacred Heart Grammar SchoolSacred Heart Grammar SchoolSacred Heart Grammar School, Newry, Northern Ireland, is a grammar school with 875 students and 52 full time teachers. The school is housed on a state-of-the-art complex at Ashgrove, Newry - a site on the Northern side of the city and has views of the Mourne Mountains to the East.-Brief...
- St Colman's CollegeSt Colman's College, NewrySt Colman's College is a Roman Catholic school in Newry, Northern Ireland. Now named in honour of St. Colman, it was founded in 1823 as the Dromore Diocesan Seminary by a Father J.S. Keenan. The College stands on Violet Hill, the same 60 acre site it has occupied since 1829, adjacent to the...
- St. John's Primary SchoolSt. John's Primary School, NewrySt. John's Primary School is a primary school located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It caters for girls and boys aged from 3 to 11 and has 60 pupils. It is within the Southern Education and Library Board area....
- St Joseph's Boys' High SchoolSt Joseph's Boys' High SchoolSt Joseph's Boys' High School is a secondary school in Newry, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1958 and is a Roman Catholic maintained school within the Southern Education and Library Board area. The school is on the A28 Armagh Road, on the County Armagh side of the Newry River....
- St. Paul's High School, Bessbrook
Further Education
- Southern Regional CollegeSouthern Regional CollegeSouthern Regional College is the name of the new regional further and higher education college in the Southern area of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom....