A year before, a Mission had been conducted at Newry Cathedral by members from the Order of Preachers, at the invitation of Bishop Leahy, who was a Dominican. Following the Mission, a deputation of townspeople approached the bishop, stating that they were very impressed by the Dominica friars, and wanted them to settle in the town.

However, the bishop demurred. He believed that the establishment of another church would impose an additional burden on the parishioners. After being twice more lobbied, and given assurances that support would be given for another religious establishment, approval was finally given.

In 1872, the search began for a site to serve as the church. Since the friars now had friends all over Newry, people in each district felt that their claim was more justified than any other. Ballybot (Gaelic for `townland of the poor�) was mentioned frequently, but the middle-classes frowned on such a proposal, alleging that �only the poor live there.�

The crucial decision was made when a hardware merchant, John Quinn of Margaret Street, offered a quarry-field at Ballybot, with a lease of 999 years at a rent of �20 per year. Later, his sisters remitted the rent. Freehold of the garden opposite the church was also given, with the proviso that no building would ever be erected there.

And so, over 135 years ago, the foundation stone for the church was laid in the presence of the Prior, Fr T.A. O`Callaghan, later Bishop of Cork. The solemn dedication took place, two years later, with music by the choir and orchestra. Preaching the sermon was Archbishop Croke, a founder of the G.A.A.

Fitting out the new edifice was a major operation, the seating being installed by Henry McCrink from Dromintee, grandfather of the undertaker, who was secretary of the Holy Name Sodality from 1937 to 1970, a post later held by his son, Stephen McCrink. The altar of St Joseph was designed by the father of Padraig Pearse, leader of the 1916 Rising, and donated by John Quinn, whose family also provided the organ.

Finally, in 1895, the high altar was presented by the Quinn sisters, in memory of their brother. And the marble pulpit was donated from the life-savings of Pat McDonald, being described as �a rostrum for some of the most outstanding orators this country has produced. They filled this church with powerful voices, long before microphones or public address systems.�

But controversy arose over the newly-constructed Priory, a Catholic businessman having bequeathed the full cost of �2,000, for the three-story granite building. Another member of the family challenged the bequest in court. So townspeople organised a five-day bazaar, which raised �2,300, thus enabling the Dominican fathers to pay for their new home. In 1881, the foundation stone was laid, the sermon being preached by the famous orator, Father Burke.

The red-letter day came in 1906, with the consecration of the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine by the Bishop of Dromore, Dr Henry O�Neill, whose name is perpetuated in O�Neill Avenue, close to the Dominican�s original home and church.

Over the next half-century, the sacred edifice was further enhanced, with Stations of the Cross being donated by Miss Mary Barry, who had a small shop at King (now Francis) Street, while mosaicing was completed in time for the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1928. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was installed in 1948, and a Novena initiated.

Those attending St Catherines�s have been fortunate in the quality of its priors. For example, Dr Cleary was a renowned preacher; Fr Norbert Barry gave 77 years service to the Dominican order; Fr John O�Rourke served a record three terms as Prior, while Fr Raymond Collins, was born close to the church. Also, the late Fr Gus Doherty made a deep impression on the congregation.

Meanwhile, the dynamic and charismatic present Prior, Fr Tony McMullan, a native of Co Antrim, has won many friends, and made a significant impact over the past five years, following in a proud tradition.

Son of a sea-captain, who died at the age of 44, while at the wheel of a ship on Carlingford Lough, Fr Norbert Barry was second eldest of a family of seven children. His brother, Bertrand, also became a Dominican priest. Norbert was educated at the Mercy School and St Colman�s College. Following his ordination, he taught in a Dominican school at Tallaght in Dublin for 20 years.

After spending some time in Galway, Cork and Waterford, Fr Barry came back to Newry as Prior in 1960. He then went back to Waterford, before returning to the frontier town, where he spent the last 26 years of his life, very active in religious and community life.

But if Fr Barry was a long-serving priest, the record for an altar-boy must go the Jimmy McParland. Back in the 30�s, he recalled being asked by the Prior to show a young lad from Mayobridge named Willie Goss, - who has just been appointed House-boy at the Priory, - around the town, and the road home to the `Bridge. 70 years later, he and Mr Goss, proprietor of the car showrooms, are still involved with St Catherine�s.

Two of Jimmy�s sons, Seamus and Gerard are joiners, like their father; Pat is headmaster of Dundrum primary school; Paul is a representative for Bass Charrington, while Sean is a bar-manager in New York. One daughter, Mrs Valerie O�Brien and her husband are teachers in Belfast; Mrs Mary Jordan assists children with learning difficulties; while Anne is employed at McKnights Toymasters. Their mother was Rosie Gartland from Mullabawn.

45 years ago, at the instigation of Fr Norbert Barry, the shrine to St Martin De Porres was erected. Since then, there has been a steady stream of supplicants, seeking special favours. And the climax has come with the Annual Novena, held recently, which has been attracting large crowds to this beautiful and homely place of worship.

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