Post-War Linenhall Sq People

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As promised here is an account of the residents of Linen Hall Square at the close of the War (WW2). There were 76 houses and a number of other facilities such as a disused hospital, handball alleys etc. so we will have to tell this story in several parts! 


 

Open letter to Charles from Agnes

Julie Fowlis with beads

Now that it’s all over, let me be the first (you mean, I’m NOT??) to congratulate you, the Prince of Wales on your marriage to your very own Cinderella. 

It’s been a busy week for you, what with socialising with President Mugabe, attending the Pope’s funeral in Rome and then wedding your very own (well, almost!) Princess Camilla on Saturday. 

Mary Dean’s Cough Medicine

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For as far back as I can remember my Mum had the ‘cure of all cures’ for colds, flu, bronchitis etc. This was referred to as a ‘wee cough bottle’.



Street Battles

Tom McKeown Newry Tannery Lane

An old Tan Yard separated Numbers 2 and 3 (Turleys and Carrs) and was a long time abandoned when I became aware of it. Windows were blocked up and the entrance gates were never opened. It was, in other words, irresistible to us! 

Newry Civil Rights March 1972

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We thought it necessary to put our video of the Newry Civil Rights March (6 Feb 1972) in context. Our journalist Tom McKeown shot this short footage (more will follow) in 8mm cine.  It was exactly a week after Derry‘s Bloody Sunday and tensions ran high. The following (edited) is by John McCaul.

‘Paddy O’Hanlon and John Hume proposed another march in Derry instead of Newry. Sean Hollywood and Rory McShane, Newry’s March organisers, totally disagreed, confident of being able to control their home territory without endangering life.

 

Loughview Grandchildren

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Our photo, taken in 1989 shows:

 

Robert Quinn: Aidan Campbell: Paul Campbell: Joseph Kavanagh: Jacqueline Kavanagh: Cathal Grant: Carla Campbell: Angela Campbell: Martin O’Brien: Aine O’Riaordan: Patrica Kavanagh: Sinead Campbell: Charlene McNally: Stephen Campbell: J J McAnulty: Darren McNally: Francis McNally

Newry as it was

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Well everyone had told me to be ready for the “big changes” in Newry…

After all Newry isn’t “the little town” it used to be, but a city now.  

There may have been plenty of vehicles on the roads.. and even traffic jams down Hill Street 

… but it was the same old Newry to me.

Boys’ and girls’ street games

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In the War Years, British Summer Time added two hours to summer evenings, the government’s intent being to facilitate the harvest. 

It helped us too. Darkness didn’t fall until eleven or half past and the stretch on the evenings was enjoyed and appreciated by those of all ages. 

Advertising Tattoos

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‘The Viagra company seemed pleased enough with this photo I sent,’

he began enigmatically. 

‘They enquired whether this was the full extent.  They had concerns about breadth of exposure.  ‘In advertising, exposure is vital’, they said.

I had my own concerns over exposure, but I kept them to myself.’

Lost in the Mail

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The letter from the mail people, under the logo in the top right had a textphone number for ‘the deaf and the hard of hearing’.   

The text of the message below was clearly aimed at the ‘slow of learning’.

Missioner fails to Show

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I was talking about the Missioners a while back. 

This was the time that parishioners could renew their spiritual lives and people turned up in droves. A ‘fire and brimstone’ priest, usually from one of the Orders, like the Jesuits would be brought in to exhort people to turn away from the temptations of the flesh and dedicate their lives to God.

Agnes on Water Rates

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Dearest Agnes,

Being the soul of discretion and much to be admired, perhaps you could tell me what will happen when the Bolshi Council in that wonderful City of Newry introduces Water Rates to the Community.

Will the populace pay the bill or will they resort to withholding payment or even to striking as they have done in the past. Would it be too much to hope for, that responsible Councillors might get kicked in the ‘cooley kickem’s?

What about a separate vote on this one? 

Regards 

Water Tight.


Fews Glossary: S 5

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Dialect ‘S’ 5 of 7

Snig   :          cut or slash; remove burning end of cigarette with the intention of re-lighting it later

Snigger :       laugh

Soople  :       active