WARRENPOINT, or Ringmacilroy to quote the original title of this locality, has been transformed out of all recognition over the past 50 years.

As Dr Liam Bradley, chairman of the local Historical Group commented: �Everybody knew everyone else; now the town is full of strangers.�

Indeed, back in the 50�s, the �real� natives consisted of the Carr, Crawford, Caulfield, Dinsmore, Durkin, Havern, Heatley, Hourican and O�Hare families, - all the rest, including long-time councillor Jim McCart, were regarded as �blow-ins.�

The birth of Warrenpoint dates back to 1767, when the Hall estate, who were the major landowners, wishing to create a small town, offered leases to those who would be willing to acquire sites for �permanent houses.�

About the same time, a grant had been given to establish a local dock, where vessels too large to enter the Newry port, could unload their cargo.

Incidentally, the origin of the town�s name has been the subject of dispute, with some sources claiming that it arose from an extensive rabbit warren in the area, while others insist that was known as Waring�s Point, after a family of that name.

But local history also goes back to the 1640�s, when the Clan MacGuinness held sway in these parts, their strong-hold being the site of the present Narrow-water Castle. Later, they were driven North by the British, who established a garrison there.

The Coronation Stone, on which the clan chiefs were crowned, was discovered in 1984 by a group, including Councillor McCart, just before it would have been demolished to make way for a building site. After a public campaign, it was preserved, and can now be visited, off Duke Street.

It is understood that, close by was an ancient stone chair, where the Chief Bretons dispensed justice. This is believed to have been broken up, and used for building purposes.

Legend has it that a daughter of the chief, Princess Lassara, fell in love with a wandering minstrel and eloped with him. However, as they were drifting in a craft at night past the Keep at Narrow Water, they were spotted by a sentry; the harpist was shot dead and the princess captured, and held prisoner in the famous square tower.

The warder started to pester her, threatening the damsel with death, if she did not agree to marry him. One night, when he came for the answer, she dashed past him in the darkness, rushed up the steps, and leap from the parapet into the waters below. It was said that, on stormy nights, one could hear the plaintive sound of music at Harpers Ferry, as a shadowy figure floated from the tower.

Of course, tragedy of more recent times came when six people were drowned, while returning by boat to the `Point, one night in June, 1954. Bookmaker Hugh O�Hare. along with his wife, young son, sister-in-law, Miss Ogle, Charles McDonald and two local man, E. McManus and F O`Hare, had sailed to Carlingford on the bookie�s boat, despite the advice of an old-timer.

On the return journey, after picking up a passenger named Keegan, the boat began to ship water. It was decided to sail close to the shore, bailing out the water, but to no avail. The engine cut out, and for some reason everyone decided to try and swim ashore. They all perished, except for McDonald, who clung to the boat and was rescued.

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