Most immediate impact came from publishing photographs of weddings, dances, confirmation, parades and sports events, etc. Previously, the only Press pictures which appeared were of clergy, who were appointed parish priest; or Chamber of Commerce committees, etc, - the faces being a series of blobs!

As John McAnulty explained: �Because of the parsimonious nature of newspaper managements, they were reluctant to invest in modern technology. And they deemed photographs a waste of time, seldom sanctioning their use.�

When the MC at a dance in Newy Town Hall or elsewhere would announce during a break that �the press-photographer is here,� there would be a stampede to the stage. Hotel proprietors would keep in touch about wedding receptions, while various clubs and organisations would seek coverage of social functions.

After pooh-poohing Press photos as a `one-day wonder,� only appealing to the working-class and uneducated, the other local papers eventually caved in, employing Johnney Priestly and Mickey O�Rourke as photographers. But the Reporter was limited in space, much of it taken up by traditional coverage of various organisations, while the Sentinel suffered form inferior technical reproduction.

Since the Herald group of newspapers, based in Omagh, had several MPs and Senators in their stable, including Joe Connellan, Paddy Mallon proposed that the influence of his paper�s Newry edition should be thrown behind me as a candidate for South Down. But his son Des, the managing director and cousin of Seamus Mallon, MP, preferred profits to prestige, so the project was knocked on the head, to my immense relief!

Probably the first newspaper to circulate in the frontier town was the Newry Journal, launched by Robert Jones in 1760. He also owned a Coffee shop in Castle Street, where people could discuss the gossip, which was printed in the Journal. Copies were also sent to coffee houses in England and Scotland, as well as `the town of Belfast.` Then Joseph Gordon started the Newry Chronicle, produced at his printing works in Market Street.

The Hibernian Magazine reported: �There are two newspapers in Newry, both printed twice a week; also a good coffee house, several booksellers and circulating libraries. There may not be another town of its size, where every convenience of life may readily be had.� About the same time a Newry Book Society was launched, due to the rising cost of books, and `the increasing literacy of ordinary people.`

When a leading member of the United Irishmen, William Drennan came to the town in 1790, Newry was already an important port and trading centre, its population having increased from 6,000 to 10,000 by 1800. No other town had realised such a growth in population. And it was described as `a centre of culture, vying with Belfast,` - a professional theatre having been established at High Street.

The Newry Recorder was published in 1814 by `Honest John` Lawless, destined for the Bar, but opposed by the Lord Chancellor, on the grounds that he was a friend of Robert Emmett. He later became right-hand man to the `the Liberator,� Daniel O�Connell. The Recorder�s offices were next door to the Shakespeare Inn on Hill Street, - now the location of the Newry Public Library!

William Drennan had established a subscribing library in the frontier town; and this was followed by the Newry Book Society, whose fees were exorbitant. Then the Newry Literary Society was founded in 1799, but its books were impounded by the authorities and destroyed.

In 1820, the Newry Commercial Telegraph was launched by Robert Greer, operating from Margaret Square. Then Samuel Bailie operated a library at Hill Street, which was taken over by James Warnock in 1860. This remained in existence until the late 1940�s, when the stock of books was acquire by the Newry Free Public Library at Margaret Square.

Then the Newry Commercial Newsroom was set up in 1850 by the Newry Mechanics Institute, a non-political and non-sectarian organisation, founded by James M�George, who was involved the the Warrenpoint Railway and the Gas Company. Its object was the �supply a newsroom of leading newspapers and magazines, to form a library, bringing books and lectures to the working-class.�

Meanwhile, an entrepreneur from Dublin launched a project for a �brand new edifice on Hill Street, in keeping with the town�s new-found prosperity and culture.� The elite provided the necessary finance, including Isaac Corry MP. The Playhouse adjoined the Shakespeare Inn, and could be transformed into a ballroom. It became part of the new Newry Public Library, opened in 1987.

Tribute for establishing the Newry Free Public Library in 1897 was paid to Henry Barcroft by the chairman of the Library Committee, the late Pat Byrne. He stated: �The library had the guidance of a first-class textile engineer, also responsible for the Bessbrook/Newry Tramway, and designing the `Model Village` of Bessbrook. Praise was also given to Dr Crossle, J.G. Small, Bro. Dempsey, Dean Swanzy and Monsignor Campbell.

In 1933, Newry Urban council purchased part of the former Victoria Hotel at Margaret Square, which would be used as the Free Public Library for the next 50 years. Responsibility for public libraries was taken over the SELB in 1970; and finally the purpose-built structure at 79, Hill Street was open for business in 1987, - a welcome development for its efficient and courteous staff.

Described as the most-used library in the North, the modern premises has a wide range of facilities, including reference section, computer suite, micro-film of past newspapers, cassettes, DVD�s, etc., as well as facilities for children and community groups. Also popular is the special section, where people can peruse newspapers and magazines, - which brings us back to the newsrooms of which the frontier town was famous!

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