Neighbours of the McGuigans were Hugh John McConville and Hugh Murphy, both breadservers. By coincidence, their present next-door neighbour is Phyllis McAteer, sister of former councillor and breadman, Mickey McKeown. Her late husband, Paddy McAteer was employed in the local swimming-pool. His brother, Fr John McAteer, has been on the foreign missions.

Other neighbours have been Jim McGrath, married to Rita Larkin from Church Street; Sam McCullough; Jimmy Magee, employed at Reeds factory; Dessie Jennings, who played for `Cruppney and Armagh; Teddy Harte of Newry Town FC; Kevin Woods and Teddy Bank, a motor-mechanic at McAlinden’s garage.

A notable figure in the cultural life of the frontier town over many years has been Alma Brown, who resides at Clanrye Avenue. A native of Kilkeel, she married the legendary sportsman, Gerry Brown, but achieved a proud reputation in her own right. Associated with Newry Musical and Operatic Society as an accompanist, she has also been organist at the Dominican Church and St Mary’s Old Chapel. And she has been associated with the Newry Musical Feis for over 40 years.

Alma participated in Pantomimes, produced by PJ McKay, in aid of the Christian Brothers’ Monastery, later featuring Sean Canavan and Charley Smyth, with her daughter Pat as Principal Boy, also teaming up for the Finn MacCool Banquets in the Ardmore Hotel. Mrs Brown provided the accompaniment during concerts, and productions at the Sacred Heart Grammar School, where her daughters were students. Pat and Siobhan regularly won awards at Newry Musical Feis, while another daughter is married to historian, raconteur and ex showband manager `Gabby` Curran.

A long-time supporter of the Carmelite community at Glenvale, Alma has brought the Dominican Church choir to sing at special Masses. She has also played the organ during the Edmund Rice Memorial Masses at the Christian Brothers’ Monastery, as well as providing music at special occasions, organised by the Bun Scoil, as well as for children with Special Needs.

Former Newry Mitchels PRO, Jim Gorman, joiner, singer and artist, - a former resident of the Meadow estate, - praised Alma’s “immense contribution to the St John Bosco Club, making teas, `running the shop, organising and playing at Guest Teas, especially when her husband was Warden.” She produced the Meadow entry, which competed in the Top Talent Contests of the 60’s, and was in the Newry team, which won a Top Town Contest.

Meanwhile, a record of residents at Orior Road in the Meadow, over 50 years ago, has been compiled by former civil rights activist, John McCullagh, who has a website with the address: NewryJournal.co.uk He was assisted by Vincent and Eric McAllister, Maura Drummond and Pat O’Hanlon.

Facing the phone-kiosk, the first house was occupied by Mrs White, - a sister of Mrs Coffey at No 19. Then came Maureen and Patsy Peters, the latter having married Abbey school teacher and traditional musician, Johnney Watterson. Then came Ruth Revels and the Ferris family. Opposite Pighall Loanen were the McCaul’s, - Martin, an ambulance-driver, and Oliver, a lorry-driver.

The Crimmins came next, - Gerry being a hospital employee; then Michael and Larry McGuigan; Pat `Sticks` Morgan, manager of Ballybot; the McManus and Rooney families; Jim Mallon, son of the late Seamus; Sean McGuigan, teacher at St Joseph’s School; followed by Peter Jackson and his large family. Then came the McMillans and Tom Quinn.

After the Loanen resided the Rocks family, - Brian, Bobby, Maureen and Rhoda, etc., who later moved to Derrybeg Drive; Jim and Eddie Barr set up house at Iveagh Crescent. Next was the home of the late Cllr Tommy McGrath, whose Bessbrook-born wife, Bridie, has also died. The Lucas’ large family of a Welsh soldier were next-door, including Patricia, Geraldine, Tony and Martin.

Irish International golfer, Alison Coffey, along with Brian and Derek lived in the adjoining house, then the Geoghans, an elderly couple, replaced by the Carrs. The Keenan family lived at No 21, while Charlie and Ann Goodwin, who resided next door, moved to Warrenpoint. Eddie McVeigh, whose father was a bus-driver, came next, then the Crawfords – Joan, Jack and Peter.

The roll-call lists Geraldine Smith, Eileen Drumm (Mrs Eddie Green) and Maureen, who married Willie Rodgers, Bernie and Teddy Hollywood; while in the next block were the Pattersons, - including Theo, now in Luton, Mary, Patricia and Angela; Jack Shields, who worked on the railways; Tina Griffen, who married Jimmy Hutchinson, later living on the Windmill Road. Her father, Mickey Griffen, was a long-time member of the St Catherine’s Band Club.

Bus-driver Peter Quinn lived in the next house, followed by Bobby and Marie Johnston with a large family, then the McKeowns, who moved to Bradford, the house later occupied by Patricia Boyle. Then came the O’Hanlons, followed by Pat Darcy and son Raymond; Terry and May McCartney; Oliver and Pat McGurgan; followed by Mick Courtney.

Past the `Horse-shoe` resided the Fegans, Pouchers and Haugheys, - later occupied by Chris Coffey and then by Eamon McArdle. Next-door lived Leo Mallon, the cattle-dealer, brother of Dr `Sunshine` Mallon; the McSherry, Mathers, Crawford and Burns families.

What a fascinating kaleidoscope of characters and personalities has resided in this historic estate, covering the entire gamut of human endeavour, - commerce, industry, culture, the professions, politics, religion and entertainment, etc. And that’s only the half of it!

< Previous Page