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Railways Boosted Progress, Sport, Holidays And Romance
(Part 2)


“One boatman said that thousands came early on Sundays, and stayed until the pubs were closed. Some were so drunk that they had to be helped on to the boat. Back in Warrenpoint, their unseemly conduct is resented by the residents. The resort is bound to suffer, for holiday-makers will not go to a place where the Sabbath calm is disrupted in such a way.”

And the Belfast Newsletter reported: “Such was the rush for the last train from the `Point that the majority of those who were drunk, men and some women, got involved in a scramble for seats on the train, with much jostling and cursing. The tactful GNR officials prevented blows being exchanged.”

But there were welcome visitors to the `Point, such as an excursion of employees from Dempsters Mill at Queen (now Dominic) Street in Newry. Over 800 workers assembled outside the mill, and were presented with rail tickets. They proceeded to Dublin Bridge Station “to the cheers of an assembled multitude,” according to a contemporary journal.

“Arriving at the seaside resort, they went to the sheltered banks of the Moygannon River, where tents were erected, and the party was supplied with substantial refreshments. They also enjoyed listening and dancing to the music of a fiddler, who had been engaged for the occasion. On return to Newry, each employee was presented with a day’s wages.”

However, some ugly scenes were reported by the `Telegraph,` when special trains from Belfast, Armagh, Dundalk and Dublin, disgorged hundreds of holiday folk at the South Down resort. During the day “the greatest quietness prevailed, but before the departure from Warrenpoint, scuffles of a very rough nature took place between some intoxicated wayfarers.

“Blows were exchanged with a hearty goodwill; the honourable badges of black-eyes were freely bestowed; and the `claret` was tapped as in the prize-ring. But by the strenuous exertions of the station staff and police, the impromptu battles were ended, and the combatants placed in their carriages, where their blood cooled down.”

One intriguing encounter at Warrenpoint Station led to a court case. A local news-sheet reported: “Mary Ann Burns, whose` peepers` seemed to have been damaged in a scuffle, summoned two other `nymphs of the pavement,` Mary Devlin and Margaret Power, for assault.

“The plaintiff claimed that she had been returning from Warrenpoint, after enjoying the sea air, when she had been `thrown into the company` of the other two girls, who were `riled at her decent appearance.` Having called her some names, they `destroyed her fancy rig’. Maggie spat in her face while Mary tore her bonnet. They were sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.”

Meanwhile, Hugh McConville summoned the `Point station manager, John Dodds, for assault. Plaintiff had hired part of a van to transport two pigs to Warrenpoint. On arrival, a passenger told him that the pigs were `smothering.` When the owner told the manager, the latter refused to allow the animals out of the van, saying: `The pigs may be smothering, and damned to them,’ grabbed McConville by the shoulder and shoved him out of the station. Dodds was fined ten shillings.

And the station manager was again in court, when summoned by a well-known character, known as `Doran the Rat-catcher. The railway company had hired Doran to kill the rats on their property. But he was dismissed by the manager for `not discharging his duty.` Doran decided to frequent Edward Street Station, in order to obtain the ten shillings, which he was owed.

But the rat-catcher got an angry letter from Mr Dodds stating: “If I find you on the company’s premises, except as a passenger, I will prosecute you for trespass. And if you follow me on the streets or anywhere else, I will seek the protection of the police and magistrate.” However, the RM ordered the manager of pay Doran the ten shillings.

One well-known ex-railwayman is historian and Gaelgeoir, Micheal O Baoghail, later a boiler-man at Daisyhill Hospital. Two other personalities, who also started working for the GNR in the 1940’s, were Jimmy Mulholland, a long-time Forester, now residing at Daisyhill Gardens, and Philip McCorry, who was born at John Martin Street. Both started as Boy Porters, while Micheal began as an engine-cleaner at Edward Street Station.

Recalling fellow employees, he referred to Barney and Jimmy O’Hare; Jack Kane of Magennis Street; Billy Rodgers and Paddy Quinn of Dominic Street; Frank Sheehan from Edward Street; Reggie Hunter and John Mitchel of Caulfield Place; William Clarke, Mary Street; Tommy Keeley, Chapel Lane; Jack Kane of Magennis Street; Bob Irvine, Mullaghglass; Jemmy Black of Ballinacraig and Bob McKee from Merchants Quay. The firemen were John Hillen, Gerry Fegan, John O’Hare, Jimmy Dennison and Jack Black.

The staff included Joe McCrudden, Paddy Burke, Jack McAlinden, Henry Cowan, Davey Madell, George McAlinden, Rose McBride, Patsy Doherty, and Aiden Lawless. Chief clerk was John Clarke, while the Station-master when the line was shut down was Jimmy Cromie from Warrenpoint.

Phil McCorry, whose father had been a shunter at Edward Street Station, started in the Parcels Office, and was transferred to Dublin Bridge Station as Lamp Boy from 1944 to `48, later becoming Head Shunter. Finally he was employed in the Goods Shed, where there were many sidings.

Jimmy Mulholland also spent some years in the spacious and busy Goods Shed at Edward Street Station, where W. Meares was foreman, and J. Neary the fitter.

Empty cattle-wagons were washed there, and some engine-drivers who kept plots, and received a regular supply of manure from the wagons, had the best-grown potatoes in the locality!

First train to operate from the Newry station was in 1849; and though originally intended to reach Rostrevor, never got beyond the `Point. Horse-drawn trams were used for the remainder of the journey. The Newry to Greenore company started running trains in 1873.

Finally, the Newry to Warrenpoint rail-link closed in 1965, without any fanfare! A high-powered deputation, representing Newry Urban Council, Chamber of Commerce and the Trades Union Council had gone to Stormont, in a last-ditch effort to avert the closure. The Minister for Commerce, Brian Faulkner asked every person in turn, how they had travelled to that meeting. Each responded : “By car.”

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008