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Historic Newry Estate Plays Host To (U.S.) Benefactor


RESIDENTS of Newry’s Meadow estate live in the first non Council-owned housing development in the North, constructed by the newly-established NI Housing Trust in the mid-50’s. Dwellings were allocated by a Points system, unlike Council houses, where tenants were selected by political parties or individual councillors.

That historic estate has also been unique in having as a benefactor, multi-millionaire football club owner Dan Rooney, whose grandfather emigrated to Pittsburg. The Rooney family were land-owners, whose property included the present Derrybeg and Meadow estates, known as Rooney’s Meadow.

Dan Rooney was recently back in the Newry area for the 13th year in succession, in order to present the prestigious Rooney Fellowship to Micheal O’Neill, a student at the Newry Institute. He also took the opportunity to visit the Whitegates Business Park at the Meadow estate, in which he had taken a close interest since its foundation in 1994.

The immense contribution to the Newry region by this entrepreneur, - especially through the Newry-Pittsburgh Partnership, - was acknowledged at the Milleneum. Dan Rooney was presented with the Charter of Newry, a 12th century award, - only the third person to receive that honour.

Present at the gala reception, organised by Enterprise Newry, were Secretary of State, Peter Mandelson; First and Deputy First Minister, David Trimble and Seamus Mallon; Irish Foreign Minister, Brian Cowen; as well as the U.S. Ambassador. And President Mary McAleese sent a special message, praising “the important role played by Dan Rooney for the people of Newry, in unlocking new opportunities.”

Chairman of Enterprise Newry, Jack O’Hare explained that its purpose was to raise the profile of the Newry area, and to encourage investment. The partnership between Newry and Pittsburg was formed at a time when both areas were in decline. Newry was at the height of the `Troubles’, while Pittsburg was suffering from a declining steel industry. The Partnership had “enabled both places to rise from the ashes and succeed.”

This progressive story began in 1992, when a delegation went from the frontier town, to Pittsburg - including Seamus Mallon MP, Tom Kelly, Jack O’Hare, Fearghal McCormick and Kieran Rafferty - in order to attract industrial investment to the Newry region. They encountered Dan Rooney, who was vice-chairman and co-founder with Sir Tony O’Reilly of the American Fund for Ireland.

Chosen as one of the 100 Top Irish-Americans of the past century, Dan became involved with the establishment of Enterprise Newry, which has been the power-house behind local industrial and commercial enterprises in recent years.

Seamus Mallon MP and Tom Kelly highlighted to Mr Rooney the situation at the Meadow estate, where various facilities would be very desirable. Dan was intriqued by this family’s association with the area, and used his influence with the American Fund for Ireland in helping to establish the Whitegates Business Park. The International Fund for Ireland was also involved.

Main aspects of the Meadow estate have been St Brigid’s Church, St Patrick’s primary school, Jennings Park and the swimming pool. And there is also the large `green` in the centre of the estate, where over 50,000 people crammed at the climax of the Newry Civil Rights March after Bloody Sunday.

A strong sporting element has also featured there, especially John Fearon and Gerry Brown. A coach at the Newry Bosco Club, John played for Newry Town and Dundalk, while Gerry founded John Mitchels GFC, to which such Meadow residents as Nicky Barry, Seanie O’Hanlon, Jim Gorman and Joe McGuigan belonged. He also managed Abbey CBS sides to Mac Rory Cup triumph, as well as the Down side, which won the Sam Maguire Cup in 1968.

John Fearon and his wife Mary, a native of the Green Road in Bessbrook, lived close to Seamus and Doreen Mallon. She recalled how Seamus (RIP), a studio photographer, and her future husband would cycle out to the `Brook during their courtship. The girls would ride on the bars of the bikes to dances at Newry Town Hall or Camlough INF Hall.

After they were married, John Fearon and his wife lived in one room at a house in North Street, Newry. There was an outside toilet, down an entry leading to the cathedral, while the water-tap was in someone else’s yard. When they were allocated a new house at Derrybeg Drive in the Meadow estate, it was “paradise, with all the mod cons.”

And the neighbours were “brilliant,” including cathedral sexton Alec McKinley, Mrs Linden of the Salvation Army, Kathleen McEvoy, Joe and Brigid Kavanagh, Francis Morgan, Paddy Kinney and Seanie O’Hanlon. Meanwhile, Seamus Mallon and his wife were housed at Orior Road, where neighbours included the late Cllr Tommy McGrath and Peter Jackson. Other early tenants in the estate were Sean Hillen, Michael Cunningham, Paddy Rafferty and Peter Kinney.

A Meadow Community Assocation was launched in 1977, at a meeting attended by Peter Jackson, Dessie Brady, Teddy McLaughlin, Billy Bann, John McAleavey, and Pat Courtney, with the support of Cllr McGrath. From a Portacabin at the nearby primary school, the association moved its activities to a new centre in 1982. It was burned down 10 years later.

Rather than throw in the towel, the community association and local residents began to pick up the pieces, encouraged by Peter Jackson. He pointed out that, otherwise, “the vandals would see their handiwork as a victory over our community.”

The Community Association branched out to include the Armagh Road estate, while a new centre was provided, close to the Whitegates complex. Those involved included Peter Jackson, Niall Quinn, Marie Rice, Brendan Cranney, Dominic Spence, John Durham, Kevin Quinn, Teresa and George Cinnamond, Cora O’Hare, Betty Cromie, Anne Mathers and Bernie Devine.

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008