MUSIC and song, dance and drama, comedy and culture have enlivened the historic Chapel Street and Kilmorey Street area, over the past century.

For example, the Independent and St Joseph’s Silver Band, under its legendary conductor, Terry Ruddy, won the British and Irish Championships. And a talented concert band is now based in the same premises.

Meanwhile, the Canavan family at Chapel Street produced a gifted actor/producer in Jimmy, - commemorated by a room in the Newry Arts Centre, - while his son, Sean bestrode the stage as an actor and comedian, especially in partnership with the inimitable Charlie Smyth in numerous pantomimes, - his brother Noel also being involved.

And what can one say about the droll and versatile Michael (Mickey) Mathers, - his roles in the Abbey Players, Newry Musical Society, 'Spot the Star' Contests and the South Down Choral Society, to which his daughter, Marita, also belongs. They performed at Dromalane Church in April 2005.

Newry Musical and Orchestral Society has availed of the talent in this area, such as Mickey Mathers, Irene and Raymond McCourt; Pat Quinn-Bennett; Brendan, Jim, Mary and Margot Carroll, Tommy Byrne, Marie McKevitt, etc. Irene McCourt from William Street created a record by winning five prestigious cups at Newry Musical Feis in two days!

Mickey Mathers reported that his love of music had been inspired by the award-winning Independent and St Joseph’s Band, based close to his birthplace at Kilmorey Street. He recalled how “on Sunday mornings, when the band would be rehearsing in a local ball-alley, every door would be thrown open, so that the residents could listen to the overtures and Souza marches.

“I was very fortunate in having two great mentors, Jimmy Canavan, who developed my talent for comedy acting, which I exploited with the Musical Society; and Josef Delafaille, the cathedral organist and choir-master, who enjoyed playing snooker in the Independent Club. As a member of the Cathedral Boys Choir, I loved singing in Latin at the Solemn High Masses in the cathedral, and also the dramatic atmosphere at Tenebrae, during Holy Week.”

And he recalled how, at the Holy Family Confraternity on Tuesday nights, the boys could gaze down at the spectacle of men in soiled dungarees and pinstripe suits; dockers and doctors, lawyers and labourers, the affluent and the destitute, kneeling side by side in prayer.

When Mickey joined the senior choir, they included JV Kelly, David McDonald, Dominic Ward, Gabriel Hughes, Jim McParland, Tony McAlinden and Jimmy Keenan, as well as Teresa Ward, the Kelly and Ruddy sisters. Summer outings to Omeath and the Glens of Antrim were memorable, with Fr Burke supplying the sweets.

At the `Carstands school` on the Mall, Mickey’s classmates included the future Bishop Francis Brooks, Lord Justice O’Donnell and building contractor Tom McAteer. Then, at the 'Abbey', fellow pupils included TP Murphy, Noel Keenan, Jackie O’Driscoll, Pat Hall (brother of Frank), Turlough O’Donnell, Michael Carroll and Noel Keenan.

Mickey described how the frontier town in the `good old days` consisted of “a series of little communities” from Chapel Street to High Street and Ballybot. Doors were kept open and “every mother looked out for their neighbours’ children.” Kilmorey was “a close-knit community, including the Murtagh, Wasson, Murray and McGuinness and McGivern families.”

When the St John Bosco Boys Club was opened a few yards from the Mathers homestead, Mickey became an active member. He remembered how “boys came from all parts of the town, some in their bare feet. They took part in boxing, PT, table-tennis, debates and quizzes. A carpentry class was conducted by joiner Hugh Gorman, his pupils including Peter McParland and Paschal McCaul, etc.”

A glance through this artist’s scrapbook recaptures a golden era in local music and drama, dominated by such figures as Thomas Kelly, organist at St Catherine’s Dominican Church; Lilian McArdle-Trodden, Tony McAlinden, Kevin and Nuala Neary, Ken Kenny, Libby Armstrong and Wesley Livingstone.

And so deeply was this talented all-rounder involved that, on one night, he had to attend four rehearsals, - for the Musical Society, the Abbey Players, the Pantomime and the Abbey Oriel Male Voice Choir. The Abbey Players included Ethel Fitzpatrick, John Bell and Kathleen O’Donnell, Frank Sweeney, Kathleen Lavery, Michael Carroll and Brian O’Rourke. They toured with O’Casey plays.

The Newry Musical Society was launched by Brendan Cranney, Jimmy Canavan, and Frank Foley. The first operetta was `the Gondoliers` in the early 40’s. Mickey joined in 1947, and was frequently in leading comedy roles, often as a foil for Ethel Fitzpatrick. In 1964, he and Kathleen Bell co-produced the show, which won the Best Choral Award at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera.

When he and his wife Evelyn moved to the Glen estate, Fr Henry Devlin enlisted Mickey’s experience and expertise for the successful `Spot the Star` contests. They provided a springboard for such stars as Rosemarie and Eileen King. Becoming a foundation member of the Cloghoge Pitch and Putt Club, Mickey was later appointed Leader at the Killeavy Youth Club, whose new premises had just been officially opened.

Next Page >