ONE of the best-known and most esteemed organisations in the Newry region, the John Mitchel Branch of the Irish National Foresters, - playing host at the All-Ireland Convention, - celebrated its Diamond Jubilee, in 2005.

Foresters from Ballyholland, Camlough, Forkhill, Hilltown, Rostrevor and Warrenpoint, descended on the frontier town in May, 1945. They paraded behind the John Mitchel Warpipe Band, St Joseph’s Brass and Reed Band, St Catherine’s Silver and Reed Band, and Camlough INF Silver Band, to a special Mass in Newry Cathedral.

Referring to the foundation of the John Mitchel Branch in 1885, Fr Carroll declared: “It was a time when the spirit of nationality and faith of the Irish people was at a low ebb. And it was due to organisations such as the INF that a great awakening came to the people of our beloved country.

“The history of Ireland, and the freedom gained by a great portion of it, owed a lot to the spirit of nationality engendered the Society of the Foresters. The INF has as its motto the great virtues of `Unity, Nationality and Benevolence.` The Christian virtue of patriotism has taught us to love our country, not because it was better than any other, but that it was a beautiful country, given us by God, and the right to rule that country belonged to the Irish people alone.

“Truly the Irish National Foresters has carried out that motto, for they have been the channel that had lifted the great spirit of patriots like Mitchel, Tone and Emmett, carrying it down the years, handing it on to future generations. And the spirit of Benevolence inspired them to wish well and do good for others.”

And the future Archbishop Carroll, in proposing the toast of `the Frontier Town`, told guests at the Jubilee Banquet that “while away from home in the heart of Africa, I often thought of home, and the people of my native town. They are a grand people, charming and sympathetic towards their clergy; and the name of Newry sounds as music in the ears of every exile, scattered throughout the world.

“They call it the frontier town, - in fact, they give it every name they can manufacture for the place of their birth. Even strangers learned to take this grand old town to their hearts, just as Newry is quick to take strangers to its heart.”

And Fr Carroll stated: “It is a town, famous for great men like Mitchel, whose memory is so close to our hearts to-night. I love to think of that passage from Mitchel’s `Jail Journal,` where the patriot refers to his beloved Dromalane, `with the moon shining through the trees, - the same moon that shone on me in a far-off land.’ That man of a different faith now lies in a spot at Newry, where he can hear the good nuns at prayer. And there were other great men in Newry, who handed down the nationality that was so strong in the frontier town that day. I pray that the love of God and Ireland will long endure.”

Proposing the toast of `the John Mitchel Branch`, Matt Cunningham, chairman of Newry No 2 (South Armagh) Rural Council, and Chief Ranger of Killeavy Branch stated: “Since the Newry branch was founded in 1885 by a few patriotic Irishman, I watched it go from strength to strength, overcoming many difficulties and petty prejudices. And I saw its membership grow from a handful of men to the great body of Irishmen that it is today. As their numbers have grown, so did their influence, until now they are one of the greatest sources of good in the country.

“Their splendid hall, the finest in the Order, is a memorial to those enthusiasts, who had weathered the storm which raged around them at the commencement of their history; and to those who worked so hard to build up the branch to the high place it now occupies, - parent branch of the Order.

“We all know the good work that the John Mitchel Branch has done for its members, and the poor of Newry. And in every national movement they lent their strength for the good of the country, also being at the disposal of the young workers for the uplifting of the national language, games and pastimes”, Matt Cunningham concluded.

A strong attack was launched on the British government, and Winston Churchill in particular, by Fr J P Burke, CC, later Adm., who propose the toast of `the Irish Nation.” Presiding at nationalist election rallies, Fr Burke was long-time chairman of Newry Musical Feis, commemorated in the Canon Burke Athletic Club.

He declared: “We should be grateful that God has protected our country in the dark years just past, - that in the maelstrom of the warring nations, Ireland has been allowed to remain at peace. Also that, in the spate of hatred and envy engendered by the war, the Irish nation was able to stand out, bearing the standard of peace, and setting an example of charity, with no desire to injure any other country, nor demand the territory of any other nation.

“And we should be grateful that, in spite of threats from leaders of certain countries, and statesmen who have thrown any sense of justice and decency to the winds, the Irish nation has held on to the path of peace, under the leadership of Eamon de Valera.

Our leaders have not been led astray by the words of Winston Churchill, as have the gallant Poles, who have suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Russians, betrayed by the Allies into believing they were fighting for democracy and Christianity.”

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