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Rostrevor Folk Enjoyed 'Last Of The Summer Wine'
(Part 2)


One American soldier, Terence Norsden, was a regular caller at the Curran household, bringing spirits and other gifts. Sometimes they would lend him some cash to “tide him over.” Suddenly, he was called away to take part in the Normandy Landing. A few months later, a letter arrived from Chicago from Terence’s parents, thanking the Currans for the hospitality to their son, and enclosing a cheque for the money owed.

Jim Curran also recalled how Sarah Kells from Killowen had claimed to have seen a parachutist landing at night, close to Cloughmore Stone. But everyone scoffed at the tale, accusing her of fantasising.

32 years later, while working as a part-time security guard at a Birmingham plant, he was asked by his superior, Ray Morrell where he came from. When Jim responded that he was a native of Rostrevor in Northern Ireland, Mr Morell disclosed that he had been based there during the war. And he related how they had captured a German airman, who had landed by parachute, and was put in the P.O.W. camp beside the Fairy Glen.

Jim also described how, one night, he had watched German bombers, flying in over Carlingford Lough. However, instead of veering right for Belfast, they had swung left, heading for the South. That night, bombs were dropped on Dublin, resulting in many casualties.

After the war, having married Rosaleen Delahunt from Warrenpoint, they left for Birmingham, where Jim was employed in a green-grocery business, and later a manager with the Walker group of companies. Finally, after the death of his wife in 1979, he returned home. After having got involved in parish activities, as well as St Bronagh’s GFC, he was elected President of the club.

Meanwhile, Cllr Tony Williamson was not only a hurler and footballer, but also secretary of St Bronagh’s, playing a pivotal role in the development of Pettit GAA Park at Rostrevor.

His mother, Winifred Magee, had emigrated to Montana in Canada, where she married Charles Williamson, a native of Donegal, and relative of Bishop Edward Daly of Derry. In the 30’s, they went to London, residing in the same house where Jimmy Devlin from the ‘Point had lived. In the 50’s, the family returned to Rostrevor, though his brothers, Pat and Charlie, went back to Canada.

Tony attended St Colman’s College; and was goalkeeper on the side, which included Dan McCartan, Leo Murphy and P.T. Treacy. In fact, he was the first day-boy to play for the Violet Hill side.

Later, he was custodian in a side with such stars as Paddy Doherty, Tony Hadden Kevin O’Neill, and James McCartan. They won the Ulster Junior Championship, and seemed set to collect the All-Ireland title. But the selectors withdrew the top players to augment the senior squad, which went on to win the Sam Maguire Cup in 1960/61. But, due to business commitments, Tony had dropped out of football. Otherwise, he would have been in that historic side.

This committed Gael, who was chairman of the South Down GAA Board, and served four terms as Chairman of the County Board, was instrumental in initiating the highly-successful Scor competitions. These brought a social and cultural dimension to clubs all over Ireland, especially in winter.

Tony got a Motion adopted at the Down County Convention. It then went to the Annual Congress, and with the support of the President, Seamus O’Riain, was endorsed. Since then, keen competition in Irish dancing, music, Question Time and Recitation, etc., has taken place at club, county, provincial and national level.

Stores manager at H.P. Campbell’s garage in Rostrevor, Cllr. Williamson was in the printing business for eight years, and became a newsagent at the village in 1983. As a public representative, his proudest moment came with the official opening in 1977 of Kilbroney Park, for which he had long lobbied. He described it as “a valuable amenity, not just for local people, but for Newry and Mourne and far beyond.”

Another important project was the establishment of the W.I.N. Industrial estate in Newry, which was “a tremendous boost to a region with an unemployment rate of 30 per cent.” A strong advocate of the Credit Union movement, being a long-time member of the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Branch, he described it as “educating people how to save and an important development for the local community.”

Apart from sport and politics, Tony was a member of local Dramatic Society, with Jack Hanna as producer, rehearsing in the former Sangsters Hotel. Other members of the cast were Mary McQuaid, Liam Donnan, Gerry Fearon, John Rea, Pat Flanagan, Davy Morgan, Patsy Cunningham and Margaret Daly.

With regard to President Mary McAleese, the Independent councillor said: “I always knew she was destined for higher things.” He had spoken out strongly in defence of his neighbour, when she was facing strong criticism from certain elements of the media and politics, during the presidential election. And he was present in Dublin Castle for the count.

Incidentally, Tony was a member of a Council delegation, which went to Montana in Canada. They were shown a plaque, erected to the memory of 116 victims of a mining disaster, - one of who was the husband of Rose McCumiskey, an aunt of Tony’s mother. Rose came back to Rostrevor, 40 years ago, bought the Cloughmore Hotel, and later sold it to the parish. It was converted into a Parochial Hall.

Certainly, there is no shortage of residents, who have made an enormous contribution to the social, cultural, sporting and community life of the Rostrevor area. This should be an inspiration to the younger generation, especially at a time when self-interest seems to predominate!

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008