COMMUNITY relations have been excellent in the Church Street area of Newry, where Catholics and Protestants have been living for generations, cheek by jowl, in the warren of little streets.

So it is appropriate that, though the area has been over-shadowed by St Patrick’s Church, - the first Protestant Church to be built in Ireland,
- the refurbished Grotto of Christ the King has a prominent place, where the Rosary is recited each evening, during the month of May.

Meanwhile, Rev M. McFarlane, who resided at the nearby Manse, played a major role in the local community, along with his wife. They were held in great affection. Before he died, the minister requested that four Catholic men should lay him to rest!

Of course, the Troubles have impinged on this locality. Young John Mallon was fatally injured in a loyalist bomb-attack on a local pub; Sean Ruddy was shot dead with two companions, when British soldiers opened fire in the town-centre; and RUC Constable Sean Quinn was killed in a bomb-attack near Lurgan.

Local man, Dickie Rodgers, who was active in the Civil Rights Movement, was one of the first to be released from Internment, receiving a rapturous reception when he and two comrades arrived at the AOH Hall on the Mall.

But there were riotous scenes in Church Street, about 6O years ago, when the RUC removed the Irish Tricolour from the coffin of Old IRA veteran, Patrick Fearon, as it was being borne from his mother’s home. The crowd rushed forward, rescued the flag, and restored it to the coffin.

Local councillors, who noticed the police drawing their revolvers, called for the weapons to be put away, otherwise there would be “dirty work.” Finally, the Tricolour was folded and placed alongside the coffin, and the funeral went ahead.

What a host of characters this locality has produced, especially the trio of Peter Keighery, Mickey Haughey and “Jagger” Murphy. Indeed, Father Anthony Davies, PP, who ministered in this area during the 60’s, described them as “the First of the Summer Wine.”

“Jagger” was a renowned rabbit huntsman; Mickey specialised in humming-birds; while Peter Keighery, who was employed at the Gas-Works, and served in the Indian Army, was credited with persuading Gandhi to come off his hunger-strike!

Another pundit was the late John Mallon, Newry Market Caretaker. Whenever a debate or dispute arose at Breen’s public house, the barman, Terry Lundy, would call at the Mallon household, for John to come and adjudicate.

Incidentally, his handicapped son, Jim, who was a popular figure around the town, died a few weeks ago. Another son, Ronnie, an artist, recently had an Exhibition in the Arts Centre, while Mickey is involved with making videos.

Among other personalities, born and bred there, were Council Chairmen Arthur Ruddy and Eugene Markey; Fathers Willie O’Hare and Vincent Keegan; Sisters Margaret Crimmons and Brigid Mallon; printer and historian Pat Keenan; butcher Robert White; draper, James Crimmins; painter and decorator, Charlie McGreevey.

And there were also Tom Sheridan, Eddie O’Donnell, P.J. Treanor, Paddy Serridge (on crutches), Hillard Turley, “Brigadier” Eddie Murphy, Jemmy Fitzpatrick, James and Geordie Burns, Pat Ruddy, Wilbur and Richard Lundy, Willie McCann, Jim and Hugh McKevitt, Paddy Golding, Willie Keenan, Pat Lundy, Mick McMahon, Brendan, Frank and Victor McLaughlin of the Cloughmore Male Voice Choir.

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