Sean had been a member of the Newry Shamrocks Club, but objected when a drinks licence was sought for the Social Club. When his court challenge was unsuccessful, he joined Newry Mitchels. Sean’s brother Francis resided in Dublin, while Andrew was a gas lamp-lighter, whose son Eamon has been involved with the Clan Gatherings. Sean Og operated a newsagency and confectionary business at Bridge Street in Newry, before joining Norbrook.

Meanwhile, another Sean McAteer was president of Harps GFC, which celebrates its Golden Jubilee shortly. His sister, Maura, who was involved in launching the local camogie club, has also been prominent in the St Ita’s section of the INF.

“What the Gaels in a small club like this have achieved is an example to the entire country. Such dedication, community spirit and leadership are an illustration of a club in a small rural community, which was only founded 30 years ago. This should be flashed across the entire country, for all to see the great work which the GAA is doing for our people,” added the GAA chief.

Speaking on the same occasion, Bishop Gerard Brooks praised the club for “building up a strong community spirit in the area. This teaches respect for others, unselfishness and the promotion of good relations between its people. Indeed, this area has a long tradition of faith, centred on the famous Mass-rock.”

The Mass-rock was first used in Penal times, when priests were hunted by British soldiers. Then, in the early 1900’s, people would gather on special Sundays around an altar, usually the wooden seat of farm-cart, covered with a white cloth. The Rosary would be recited.

A new impetus came in 1918, when the Pioneer Association organised the first pilgrimage, the sermon being preached by Fr Rooney, after whom the local branch of the Irish National Foresters was named. Pilgrimages were suspended because of the conflict of the early 1920’s. Then, during Marian Year in the 50’s, Mass began to be celebrated at the Mass-rock by a bishop.

Meanwhile, the menfolk of Ballyholland, led by the McAteers, were noted for their devotion to the Holy Family Confraternity. For generations, they would make the long journey on foot to Newry Cathedral, each Tuesday night, - rain, hail or shine. Bicycles were no advantage, as it was all uphill on the return trip!

Well-known in various walks of life are International soccer star, Jason McAteer, whose father had a barber shop at Mill Street in Newry; also Pat Jennings’ aunt had this surname. Kevin McAteer from Meigh worked as an engineer in Iraq, was kidnapped by the Kurds but released unharmed. Matt McAteer has won the `Bard of Armagh` Contest, while the late Cllr Matt McAteer was a member of the Newry Museum, as well as the Murphy Trust. Scriptwriter on `The Bill` and `Casualty` has been Jim McAteer.

When P.J. Bradley got the idea of a clan re-union, he called a meeting of 12 people with the name McAteer in 1993, without giving the purpose. The project swiftly got off the ground, and a national re-union was planned. Five from the original dozen have since served a year as Goban Saor, leader of the clan, - Declan, Celine, Colm, Enda and the present title-holder, Jacqueline McAteer, who has been a staff nurse at the Newry Hospice since 1989.

The huge success of the Irish re-union prompted the proposal for a World Gathering at Ballyholland, in 1994. Visitors came from all over Britain, North America, Australia and even Japan. They included Michael (Mickey Hugh) McAteer, who had emigrated in the 1930’s to Melrose, outside Boston, as well as Big Ian McAteer, who brought his family from New Zealand for the event. They also visited his grandfather’s grave in Co Donegal.

Travelling from Australia was Brian McAteer, president of the Australian Society of Geneology in Sydney, who traced his roots back to the 1850’s, when his great grandfather left Ireland to join the gold-rush. And the great grand-daughter of a McAteer, ship-wrecked off New Zealand’s South Island, survived, prospered and brought his relatives to that lush land, Jackie Bolton, was also a guest at the clan re-union, along with her family.

During a Clan Banquet in the Parochial Hall, Canon John Kearney hailed “the contribution, which those bearing the proud name of McAteer have made to the parish and their country, all down the years.” And president of Newry Chamber of Trade, Therese McVeigh, herself a `High McAteer,` described it as “a proud occasion, and great that the visitors have the opportunity to get a taste of home.”

During a tour of Donegal, led by Rosemary Orsi (nee McAteer), they visited Rathmullen and met Fr Francis McAteer. He informed the party that the McAteers had been brought to Donegal by the O’Donnell clan as gallow-glasses, and after the `Flight of the Earls`, some of the McAteers had remained in the Fanad peninsula, while the remainder moved to the Newry area.

Local teacher, Mrs Kathleen Martin (nee McAteer) reported that had nine of that surname in a roll of 23 pupils, while there had been four principals named McAteer. There was also a link-up between the Newry, Fanad and Derry branches of the clan, for the first time since the 1600’s.

The second World Gathering was held at Ballyholland in 1999, and then the venue was switched in 2001 to Milwaukee in the USA, in order to facilitate the North American members of the clan.

Now the stage was set for a third World Gathering in 2004 at Ballyholland. The red carpet was rolled out, with an array of events, social and historical, organised for bearers of the proud name of McAteer, from all over the globe. What a record for this humble little rock-strewn townland, whose people have achieved so much, over the generations!

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