Warrenpoint
Encyclopedia
Warrenpoint is a small town
in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It lies on the northern shore of Carlingford Lough
and is separated from the Republic of Ireland
by a narrow strait. The town sprang up within the townland
of Ringmackilroy . It is colloquially referred to locally as "The Point".
Warrenpoint is known for its scenic location, the Maiden of Mourne festival, the Blues on the Bay music festival, the passenger ferry service between Warrenpoint and Omeath
and the nearby Narrow Water Castle
which dates from the 1660s.
In the 2001 Census
it had a population of 7,000.
The name "Warrenpoint" is now believed to have been taken from the name of a family that lived here around the latter half of the 18th century. Father Bernard Trainor (who had an interest in place names of the area) mentioned that a family called “Waring” lived here and had a house called “Warings Point”. In Irish the place name is Rinn Mhic Ghiolla Rua (McIlroy's Point). The name Ringmackilroy may be seen on some maps. The shortened form is An Phointe. Warrenpoint is often referred to simply as The Point.
Walter Harris in 1744 stated that “Warrings Point” is about a mile or so North West of Rose Trevor.
Its scenic beauty and coastal location instigated rapid development so that the population in 1824 was 500, in 1831 was 1,000 and in 1884 2000 rising to 5000 in the summer with the influx of visitors. In 1836 there was a school, a court house, a savings bank and a farming society.
Fairs were held once a month and a market every Friday. In the mid-19th century, Newry
merchants obtained a government grant to create a tidal dock at the village, as prior to 1850 ships of above 150 tonnes could not get further up the lough than Narrow Water.
A railway connection opened on 9 May 1849, increasing Warrenpoint's popularity as a holiday destination. and Warrenpoint became popular as a resort town. Thousands flocked to the resort every year, where most took the passenger ferry to Omeath
in County Louth
. The Warrenpoint railway station closed in January 1965. The Ferry remains in operation but only in the summer months from May to September.
A bandstand in the town park provided concerts and a swimming pool was built in 1908. The baths were opened by Captain Roger Hall on Whit Monday
, the 8th of June in that year, but they are now closed to the public.
Warrenpoint Pantomime Club, established in 1950, has staged 55 highly popular pantomimes in the town, the latest being “The Wizard of Oz” in 2011.
On 6 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence
, the Irish Republican Army
ambushed an Ulster Special Constabulary
(USC) patrol in Warrenpoint. The ambush took place on Seaview Road and one USC constable was killed.
On 27 August 1979, during "the Troubles
", the Provisional Irish Republican Army
ambushed a British Army
convoy at nearby Narrow Water Castle
. Eighteen soldiers were killed – the British Army's greatest loss-of-life in a single incident during the conflict. This is often called the Warrenpoint ambush
. British soldiers then fired south, across the Border, into county Louth, towards the location of their assumed attackers. This British army fire killed a young English tourist, William Hudson, watching the scene from lower Ferryhill road, where a (broken) memorial to his memory is located.
On 12 April 1989, "the Troubles
" Joanne Reilly was killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in van bomb attack on Warrenpoint Royal Ulster Constabulary base. Inadequate warning given.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
just outside the town is a three-storey tower house
built in 1560 to protect the entrance to the Newry
river estuary. Across the road, to the east, is the new Narrow Water Castle, really a stately home, built in 1840.
Today a small but modern passenger ferry service operates out of Warrenpoint to the village of Omeath in County Louth
. The trip takes about fifteen minutes. Other cruises include trips to Narrow Water Castle, Ross Monument Rostrevor and Bay & Harbour Cruises.
Two small inland lakes , the "Mill Dam" and the "Waterworks" offer a variety of fishing opportunities. A permit is needed to fish these lakes, which are located about 1 mile from the town centre.
Warrenpoint Promenade was used as a backdrop for Bundoran
in the film The Butcher Boy
, especially the exterior of the Star of the Sea Convent and the Edwardian swimming baths.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, 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...
. It lies on the northern shore 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...
and is separated 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,...
by a narrow strait. The town sprang up within the 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...
of Ringmackilroy . It is colloquially referred to locally as "The Point".
Warrenpoint is known for its scenic location, the Maiden of Mourne festival, the Blues on the Bay music festival, the passenger ferry service between Warrenpoint and Omeath
Omeath
Omeath is a village on the R173 regional road in County Louth, Ireland, close to the border with Northern Ireland. It is roughly mid way between Dublin and Belfast, very near the County Louth and County Armagh / County Down border. Omeath has a population of 439, and is approximately from...
and the nearby Narrow Water Castle
Narrow Water Castle
Narrow Water Castle is a famous tower house near Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland, located on the County Down bank of the Clanrye River, which enters Carlingford Lough a mile to the south. Narrow Water Castle was given into state care in 1956 and is one...
which dates from the 1660s.
In the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
it had a population of 7,000.
History
What is now Warrenpoint long consisted of a small number of basic dwellings inhabited by people reliant on fishing for their survival and sustenance.The name "Warrenpoint" is now believed to have been taken from the name of a family that lived here around the latter half of the 18th century. Father Bernard Trainor (who had an interest in place names of the area) mentioned that a family called “Waring” lived here and had a house called “Warings Point”. In Irish the place name is Rinn Mhic Ghiolla Rua (McIlroy's Point). The name Ringmackilroy may be seen on some maps. The shortened form is An Phointe. Warrenpoint is often referred to simply as The Point.
Walter Harris in 1744 stated that “Warrings Point” is about a mile or so North West of Rose Trevor.
Its scenic beauty and coastal location instigated rapid development so that the population in 1824 was 500, in 1831 was 1,000 and in 1884 2000 rising to 5000 in the summer with the influx of visitors. In 1836 there was a school, a court house, a savings bank and a farming society.
Fairs were held once a month and a market every Friday. In the mid-19th century, Newry
Newry
Newry 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 from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
merchants obtained a government grant to create a tidal dock at the village, as prior to 1850 ships of above 150 tonnes could not get further up the lough than Narrow Water.
A railway connection opened on 9 May 1849, increasing Warrenpoint's popularity as a holiday destination. and Warrenpoint became popular as a resort town. Thousands flocked to the resort every year, where most took the passenger ferry to Omeath
Omeath
Omeath is a village on the R173 regional road in County Louth, Ireland, close to the border with Northern Ireland. It is roughly mid way between Dublin and Belfast, very near the County Louth and County Armagh / County Down border. Omeath has a population of 439, and is approximately from...
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...
. The Warrenpoint railway station closed in January 1965. The Ferry remains in operation but only in the summer months from May to September.
A bandstand in the town park provided concerts and a swimming pool was built in 1908. The baths were opened by Captain Roger Hall on Whit Monday
Whit Monday
Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday is the holiday celebrated the day after Pentecost, a movable feast in the Christian calendar. It is movable because it is determined by the date of Easter....
, the 8th of June in that year, but they are now closed to the public.
Warrenpoint Pantomime Club, established in 1950, has staged 55 highly popular pantomimes in the town, the latest being “The Wizard of Oz” in 2011.
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
, the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
ambushed an Ulster Special Constabulary
Ulster Special Constabulary
The Ulster Special Constabulary was a reserve police force in Northern Ireland. It was set up in October 1920, shortly before the founding of Northern Ireland. It was an armed corps, organised partially on military lines and called out in times of emergency, such as war or insurgency...
(USC) patrol in Warrenpoint. The ambush took place on Seaview Road and one USC constable was killed.
On 27 August 1979, during "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...
", the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
ambushed a 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...
convoy at nearby Narrow Water Castle
Narrow Water Castle
Narrow Water Castle is a famous tower house near Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland, located on the County Down bank of the Clanrye River, which enters Carlingford Lough a mile to the south. Narrow Water Castle was given into state care in 1956 and is one...
. Eighteen soldiers were killed – the British Army's greatest loss-of-life in a single incident during the conflict. This is often called the Warrenpoint ambush
Warrenpoint ambush
The Warrenpoint ambush or the Warrenpoint massacre was a guerrilla assault by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on 27 August 1979. The IRA attacked a British Army convoy with two large bombs at Narrow Water Castle , Northern Ireland...
. British soldiers then fired south, across the Border, into county Louth, towards the location of their assumed attackers. This British army fire killed a young English tourist, William Hudson, watching the scene from lower Ferryhill road, where a (broken) memorial to his memory is located.
On 12 April 1989, "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...
" Joanne Reilly was killed by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in van bomb attack on Warrenpoint Royal Ulster Constabulary base. Inadequate warning given.
Demographics
Warrenpoint is classified as a small town by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 7,000 people living in Warrenpoint. Of these:- 26.7% were aged under 16 years and 16.8% were aged 60 and over
- 48.3% of the population were male and 51.7% were female
- 90.0% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 8.5% 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 - 4.3% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
Places of interest
Narrow Water CastleNarrow Water Castle
Narrow Water Castle is a famous tower house near Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland, located on the County Down bank of the Clanrye River, which enters Carlingford Lough a mile to the south. Narrow Water Castle was given into state care in 1956 and is one...
just outside the town is a three-storey tower house
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
built in 1560 to protect the entrance to the Newry
Newry
Newry 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 from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
river estuary. Across the road, to the east, is the new Narrow Water Castle, really a stately home, built in 1840.
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...
. The trip takes about fifteen minutes. Other cruises include trips to Narrow Water Castle, Ross Monument Rostrevor and Bay & Harbour Cruises.
Two small inland lakes , the "Mill Dam" and the "Waterworks" offer a variety of fishing opportunities. A permit is needed to fish these lakes, which are located about 1 mile from the town centre.
Warrenpoint Promenade was used as a backdrop for Bundoran
Bundoran
Bundoran is a town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland. The town is located on the N15 road near Ballyshannon, 3 hours drive from Dublin and around two and a quarter hours drive from Belfast...
in the film The Butcher Boy
The Butcher Boy
The Butcher Boy is a 1992 novel by Patrick McCabe. It was shortlisted for the 1992 Booker Prize and won the 1992 Irish Times Irish Literature Prize for Fiction.The Butcher Boy is set in a small town in Ireland in the late 1950s...
, especially the exterior of the Star of the Sea Convent and the Edwardian swimming baths.
Education
- Dromore Road Primary School
- St Dallan's Primary School is a mixed school of about 700 pupils opened in September 2000 by the then Education Minister Martin McGuiness to merge Star of the Sea and St. Peters Primary Schools and is built on the site of the former St. Peters Primary School.
- St Mark's High SchoolSt Mark's High School, WarrenpointSt. Mark's High School is a Roman Catholic co-education secondary school situated just outside Warrenpoint, County Down. It first opened its doors in 1970 when 120 pupils attended. Now there is well over 800 pupils and around 60 to 70 staffers.-Referencxes:...
People
- Irish literary critic Denis DonoghueDenis DonoghueDenis Donoghue is an Irish literary critic. He is currently the Henry James Chair of English and American Letters at New York University....
was brought up in Warrenpoint. - Social Democratic and Labour PartySocial Democratic and Labour PartyThe 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...
politician Carmel HannaCarmel HannaCarmel Hanna MLA is a Northern Irish politician. She is a member of the SDLP and was MLA for South Belfast from 1998 to 2010.-Early life and nursing career:...
is from the town. - Actor Patch Connolly also lived in Warrenpoint.
- Golfer 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...
was born here.http://www.raffertygolf.com/ - Musician Vedran SmailovićVedran SmailovicVedran Smailović , known as the "Cellist of Sarajevo", is a musician from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a former cellist in the Sarajevo String Quartet....
lives here. - Northern IrishNorthern 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...
writer and literary critic, Forrest ReidForrest ReidForrest Reid was an Irish novelist, literary critic and translator. He was, along with Hugh Walpole and J.M. Barrie, a leading pre-war British novelist of boyhood...
, died in Warrenpoint in 1947.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Northern Ireland
- Warrenpoint GAAWarrenpoint GAASt. Peter's GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Down, Northern Ireland.-Foundation:The GAA in Warrenpoint pre-dates St. Peter's by a considerable span of years for it was in 1888 that the original seed was sown with the name of John Martin...