Newry News and Irish Fun
At the time of the Ulster Plantation, immediately following the Flight of the Earls, Owen MacHugh O’Neill, son of Hugh M
But it was not to be an easy or long-lasting settlement. The fragile relationship between the conquering English and the ‘co-operating’ leaders of the old Gaelic Order was repeatedly riven over the course of the seventeenth century. Remaining clan leaders, including the O’Neills of Glasdrumman and the descendants of Oghie
Small farms continue to predominate in the Ring of Gullion, though fewer than before of those who occupy them any longer practise agriculture as their first occupation. Still their use, or former use, has shaped the landscape.
Saint Bridget was closely associated with our area. Saint Patrick, said to have planted the yew trees that lent their name to our town also trod our paths. And of course Saint Moninna of Killeavy. The latter too we have already extolled. Now follows a pen portrait of the life of our second National Saint, Bridget!
There are few enough historic buildings of significance remaining in our area.
Browsing through a library book on Grosse Isle recently, I unearthed a number of disturbing facts. The reader will by now know that this was the port of entry for immigrants from
We have written before of the great Ulster Presbyterian migrations from here to
Mr. Charles McCann, a well-known and respected Newry seaman, was one of eleven men drowned when a ship floundered after striking rocks. The crew numbered forty-nine and eleven men are still missing. The crew took to the boats and twenty-seven succeeded in getting to land.
The former house of Mr Needham Thompson, purchased by Thomas Fegan for the Mercy Nuns, had to be altered and renovated to suit its intended purpose as a home for poor and distressed women and orphans.
It was to minister to the sick, the poor and the needy that the Sisters of Mercy came to Newry in 1855. Many charitable people shared their concern. Foremost among them was the unassuming Thomas Fegan.