VAST changes have taken place in one of Newry’s main thoroughfares, Monaghan Street, over the past half-century. The structures and range of personalities, who have lived or worked at this main artery from South Armagh to the city centre, have been diverse indeed.

From the one-time Savoy Cinema, now a bar and restaurant, to the former Armaghdown Creamery, McGovern’s wholesale grocery premises; Haldane Shiells and Westover, being converted into Dunnes Stores, Iceland and Health Centre, with adjoining car-parks, the transformation has been enormous. There is also access to the Canal Court Hotel, Sports Centre and Newry Institute.

Many families from South Armagh have traded there, including Downey’s the butchers; Savage’s newsagents; McEvoy’s drapers; Noel Rice (secretarial); Powell’s supermarket, Peter Laverty the grocer; Felix McNally (chemist), Joe McArdle’s cycle shop and Benny Hollywood’s garage.

Publican Terry Murphy was a grandfather of Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh, Conor Murphy, while insurance-broker Arthur McGuinness, and Rex Farmer the barber, were from Dorsey, Cullyhanna. They frequented my Aunt Mary Anne Hearty’s home, while I was on school holidays, being a real `ceili house.

Most enterprising must be the Downey’s from Killeavy, including Stephen and Jim, whose father established a butcher’s shop at Monaghan Street in 1934. Indeed, two of Stephen’s sons, Stephen (junior) and John, founded the Friar Tucks enterprise, while two nephews, David and Michael, own the Bank Restaurant and Good Food chain, which will accommodate Newry Head Post Office.

Above Downey’s original butcher shop, - where Pat Courtney was also employed, - lived Miss Clare Golding, who reared the famous RTE personality, Frank Hall. The droll base-player with the Vincent Lowe Ceili Band, employed at Newell’s drapery store, and who eloped to marry a Miss Kearney from Camlough, joined Independent Newspapers and later RTE, where he presented Hall’s Pictorial Weekly. The character `Mrs McStay ` was based on his aunt.

Meanwhile, Jim Downey was in the spotlight as an actor with the Killeavy Drama Society. He was M.C. at the `Spot the Star` Talent Contests, whose finales were in Newry Parochial Hall; and a founder of the Cloghogue Pitch and Putt Club. His brother Stephen’s main interest has been supporting Dundalk FC.

Another enterprising Killeavy trader was Gabriel McEvoy, who began a drapery business in the 50’s. A talented player with St Monnina GFC, he was also active in the St Vincent de Paul Society, and married a sister of the late Sean Mc Breen, inter-county player and chairman of Armagh Co. GAA Board. Gabriel’s family consist of Martin, who succeeded his father; Matt and Gerard, who run a shop in Dundalk; Gabriel of Gems Embroidery; and Fr John McEvoy, based in Aughnacloy; also Aine, a violinist, Marie and Teresa.

Chemist Felix McNally, whose family hailed from the Slieve Gullion region, was my neighbour in Mary Street, and classmate at the Abbey Secondary School, while our fathers served in the Fourth Northern Division, Old IRA. Nearby is the Good News Centre, which has been in operation for some years.

One of the best-known personalities would be newsagent, Brian Savage, whose grand parents hailed from Newtownhamilton. Brian was involved in the family’s poultry business, before moving to Monaghan Street. He recalls British soldiers, based at a nearby camp, lining up outside the shop during the war, and producing cards, which entitled them to obtain cigarettes and confectionary.

A great raconteur, Brian remembers the last trains from Warrenpoint and Omeath, as well as a bomb-explosion at a nearby public house on a Christmas Eve in the 70’s, when an IRA bomber and a Protestant youth were killed. He was involved in the rescue efforts. After leaving the Abbey School and later St Joe’s, he worked in the Isle of Man with Ignatius and Rowan Hand, employed in a casino.

Meanwhile, Hugh Gorman’s grandfather, Thomas had opened a barber’s shop at Monaghan Street along with Seamus Jennings in 1933. But his son, Jackie, went into partnership with Bertie Wilson, operating from Sugar Island. When the grandfather died in 1945, Jackie, who resided at O’Neill Avenue, moved to the Monaghan Street premises.

The present proprietor, Hugh Gorman, came on the scene in 1945 as a Soap Boy, – so 2005 marked his Golden Jubilee! Serving for ten years as an apprentice, he took over in 1967, when his father died. Many changes have taken place over the years, including the demise of the nearby railway. Hugh recalls two men who occupied the cabin at the crossing, - Paddy Murphy and Herbie McMillan.

Hugh is a Newry Mitchels supporter, his organist brother, Tom, is a member of Shamrocks, while Raymond has played hurling with Clann Uladh. Tony has represented Newry Shamrocks and Glenn, been in the Down under-21 squad, as well as on the Newry United squad, along with Pat Jennings, which won the Irish Junior Cup. His sisters are Mary, Kay and Anne.

Some top sportsmen have been associated with Monaghan Street, such as Larry Powell, Ronan Rafferty and Ross Carr. Larry’s father, Frank was a bread-server from Keady, who married Mary Laverty from Cullyhanna. He started a grocery shop at Erskine Street in Newry, then moved to Monaghan Street, establishing a Spar Supermarket, now West End Stores. Other sons are Oliver, Colum, Finbar, Kevin and Father Gerard, while daughters are Marie and Nancy.

A member of the Down squad, which won the Sam Maguire Cup in 1968, Larry established the Frontier Meats enterprise, and was past captain of Warrenpoint Golf Club. He also directed a film, received with great acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, under the supervision of Rowan Hand Productions. Featuring on the famous Irish artist, Roderick O’Connor, it was narrated by Andre Sachs (Manuel of Fawlty Towers).

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