Characters Archives | Page 13 of 17

Father Tom

June 7, 2020July 14, 2006 by John McCullagh

Tom Fee was born in 1923. His parents were both schoolteachers in the local school near Cullyhanna.

Vinny Smith

June 7, 2020July 1, 2006 by John McCullagh

Vinny Smith was born in Edinburgh but always maintained he came from Glasgow. He was a carpenter by trade and moved to England to look for work. There he met Patsy Durkin from Newry.

Mickey the Pluck ..

June 8, 2020February 22, 2006 by John McCullagh

Peter Sloan also told of how his young sister used to weep at the cries of the geese that were being plucked alive on Omeath Mountain. The down and feathers was prized as stuffing for mattresses and furniture – and here it was being packed into bed-ticks for transport down the mountain. The feathers, of course, grew again!

Frank McCullagh BEM Coastguard

June 8, 2020February 14, 2006 by John McCullagh

In an earlier article featuring Kilkeel Harbour and the Coastguard Station, I made passing reference to my esteemed uncle who served there with distinction for many years.

I received an email of thanks from his son and my cousin Michael, who is retired and lives now between Germany and Spain (he has, I believe, homes in both!). This is my response!

Lottie in Derrybeg

June 8, 2020February 3, 2006 by John McCullagh

Lottie and Owen settled into married life in Linenhall Square where their six children were born. Lottie recalled when soldiers were still barracked there and there were dances in the Army hall to which some local girls went.

Lottie McKeown

June 8, 2020February 2, 2006 by John McCullagh

To leave the subject of Linenhall Square personalities without reference to the ubiquitous Lottie McKeown would be a travesty.

No matter which area of Newry she settled in, she was immediately to the forefront of community life there.

Tom McKeown’s youth & friends

June 8, 2020January 28, 2006 by John McCullagh

Welcome to Pat Duffy, recent contributor to Guestbook. Are you by any chance featured in this photo? Tom donated this to Journal, but I’ve mislaid the list of characters featured.

Read moreTom McKeown’s youth & friends

Tommy Makem

June 8, 2020December 23, 2005 by John McCullagh

Tommy Makem was born in Keady, South Armagh. His mother Sarah Makem (opt. cit.) born 1900 was one of the Singing Greenes of Keady and a song collector. From her – and his father Peter, a famous fiddler, Tommy acquired his love of Irish music. He learned to play the war pipes, whistle, banjo, drums, piccolo and guitar.

Sarah Makem

June 8, 2020December 18, 2005 by John McCullagh

Those of my generation experienced enormous pride when South Armagh favourite Tommy Makem took the world stage by storm in the 60s. He has, of course, gone from strength to strength in the succeeding decades and the pen-portrait that follows merely summarises some of the highlights of his illustrious career.