WHAT a fascinating insight into the eventful history of the Newry region has been provided in the records of the John Mitchel Branch, Irish National Foresters, covering the past 120 years.

A few patriotic men from the frontier town decided in May, 1885 to introduce the Society into the locality for the purpose of assisting those movements, which had as their objective the unity and nationality of Ireland.

Meanwhile, the John Mitchel Branch had also supported, financially and otherwise, such organisations as the Land League, the United Irish League and Sinn Fein, along with other organisations, sporting and cultural, “seeking to help this down-trodden nation,” according to Chief Ranger and historian Thomas Price.

“That small band of pioneers, who first met in O’Rourke’s Loft at Collins Row, had no idea that the Newry Branch would one day become one of the most important in Ireland, - parent to other branches of the Order.” he added.

As membership grew, the venue for meetings was moved to Kean’s Loft at Bell’s Row, off Monaghan Street, - later McGovern’s, - then to St Patrick’s Hall on Merchant’s Quay. Finally came the purchase from Mr Boyd of the present site, located between John Mitchel Place and William Street.

It is recorded that, at the initial meeting in October, 1885, Michael Bennett was elected Chief Ranger, with Patrick Maher as Sub Chief Ranger; John Brady as secretary and Edward Moore as treasurer. The committee consisted of Peter Mc Guigan, John O’Hanlon, Michael Treanor, John Martin, James Donnelly, John McDonald, James Maher, William Brown and James Delunty.

The first Annual Convention in the frontier town took place in 1907, when chairman of Newry Urban Council, Henry Loughran, played host to delegates in the Town Hall. It was decided to honour their patron, John Mitchel and fellow patriot John Martin, by laying wreaths on their graves. However, the wreath on John Martin’s grave at Donaghmore cemetery was later smashed.

Delegates had been instructed to “use all the influence at their command for a definite settlement of the Irish question, and to oppose the partition of Ireland. If that artificial boundary is imposed, there can be no settlement.”

That same year of 1907 witnessed another gala occasion, with the official opening of the Mitchel Memorial Hall by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who was also INF General Secretary. And a letter was received from the president of St Colman’s College, Monsignor Hugh O’Reilly, thanking the Newry branch for their congratulations on his appointment as Private Chamberlain to Pope Benedict XV.

On the sporting and cultural front, the local Foresters were very active, especially in the promotion of hurling and the Gaelic League. Credited with helping to revive hurling, they were involved with the famous Fag a Bealach Club. In fact, a Branch meeting was postponed at the request of Fag a Bealach, so that members could attend a game between Down and Armagh, and so “propagate Ireland’s games.”

And the Newry INF Branch declared: “We pledge our wholehearted support to the Gaelic League in preserving the national language. And we will our practical support to this great national movement by joining it, giving the benefit of our energy and determination.”

The period from 1909 to 1912, saw an upsurge of new INF branches in the region, starting with Omeath, then the Gap of the North in 1910; followed by Lislea, and Fr Matthew at Rostrevor in 1911 followed by Forkhill in 1912. A new banner was unfurled for the Ballyholland branch in 1911. And Newry Foresters were asked to postpone their meeting, in order to facilitate the Holy Family Confraternity excursion to Omeath, in which over 3,000 members participated.

About this time, John Mitchel Branch was asked to condemn “in the strongest possible manner, the importation and sale of filthy foreign newspapers and books. We must do all in our power to prevent the reading of such books and newspapers, especially in a town, noted for its high standard of Christianity,” stated the INF resolution”

A most traumatic period for the Newry Branch was that from 1912 to 1924. A letter from Joe Connellan, - later MP for South Armagh and MP for South Down, - sought delegates to a meeting for the formation of a Newry branch of the National Volunteers. Cllrs Terry Ruddy and Michael McAteer were appointed. A resolution, supporting Irish parliamentary leader, John Redmond and the Provisional Committee of the Irish Volunteers, was also passed.

The John Mitchel Branch stated: “We consider the present Home Rule Bill is intended to deprive Newry people of their elected representative. And we appeal to the Irish Parliament to have the bill amended, so that Newry will continue to have its representative in the Irish House of Commons.

Chief Ranger Thomas Price commented: “Prior to the Great War, the Irish people hoped for the establishment of an All-Irish parliament. But the credulous inhabitants of this country were soon to be disappointed by the usual trickery of the British Government. Ireland will have to pass through another bloody war, before such a Bill would operate.”

Meanwhile, Joe Devlin MP for West Belfast, writing from Westminster in 1913, announced the holding of a Monster Demonstration at Newry. The John Mitchel Branch decided to assist the project in every way possible.

Opposition to conscription into the British forces was expressed by Newry branch, which passed the Motion: “We will resist any such measure being forced on this country. We have no right to assist in fighting the battles of a nation, which deprives us of the right as a nation to govern ourselves. And we pledge to resist conscription by every means at our disposal.”

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