One person, who succeeded in rescuing others from a watery grave, is that popular personality, Paul McEvoy who, as Baths Superintendent dived in and saved two swimmers, being assisted by Pool Attendant Jim Hozier in rescuing a third. His heroics were never officially recognised.

Paul, who celebrated his 80 th birthday recently, was later appointed Park Caretaker, being responsible for the eye-catching floral displays. Due to a knee-injury, he was transferred to the council offices at Francis Street in Newry, retiring in 1980.

Billy was also awarded the BEM, for his role as fire service chief in the aftermath of the double-bombing at Narrow Water Castle, in which 18 British paratroopers were killed in 1979. And he has paraded around Croke Park, before All-Ireland Semi-Finals and Club Championship Finals, as a member of St Peter�s GAA Band, when the Artane Boys Band were on holiday.

Of course, the `Point has produced a wealth of talent in sport, music, the arts and entertainment. For example, Oliver �Big O� McMahon was a gifted footballer, before he became a comedian. This irrepressible character played for the St Peter�s side, captained by Peter Rooney, which won the prestigious Casey Cup.

His first boss, Frank Hanna, a building contractor from Rostrevor, was also producer of the annual Warrenpoint Pantomime. And this provided his first step into show-business. He recalled that the late Christy McGuigan said: �You have the perfect face for a comedian,� also giving valuable advice on timing etc.

But Oliver, while working for Boyneside Radio and doing some cabaret, got his big break when the late Birdie Sweeney of �Ballykissangel� fame, got sick and was unable to join Foster and Allen, Danny Doyle, etc., on a U.S. tour, including New York, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia.

�Big O� has never looked back, has a daily programme on Kiss FM, has an annual date in New York with the Downmen`s Association, and so regularly employed by UTV And Radio Ulster as �warm-ups! for shows involving Eamonn Holmes, Gerry Andersons, etc.

Another past performer from the `Point Panto is �Patch� Connolly, who was involved with the ill-fated �El Dorado� soap-opera, but can now be seen in �The Bill� TV series. In 1987, he produced �The Old `Point Fair� in the Town Hall, recalling many of the old characters.

Probably the most versatile personality has been the late Sean (Jack) Crawford, who was organist in St Peter�s church at the age of 12 years; later became choirmaster; conducted the Warrenpoint INF Silver Band (later St Peter�s), and played in the Newry symphony orchestra, which won an all-Ireland championship.

Dramatist, historian and teacher at St Peter�s primary school, he had an endless fund of stories, which were published in various magazines and newspapers, as well as broadcast on Radio Ulster and RTE. A plaque, commissioned by the Warrenpoint Historical Group, was unveiled at his birthplace, in the presence of his nephew, Bishop John Crawford.

But maybe the biggest impact on the cultural and entertainment scene has been made by the Set Dancing section of St Peter�s GFC. This has been at the forefront of the revival in the North over the past 20 years, inspired by Moya Mc Cormack and guided by Connie Ryan from Tipperary.

All-Ireland Scor champions, they have performed all over the four provinces, entertained |President Mary Robinson, appeared on RTE and BBC television, and have been guests of the legendary Chieftains at the Grand Opera House and the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

And the St Peter�s trio of Sheila McAnulty, Brian Durkin and Hugh Carr have won the All-Ireland Scor quiz title, while the Silver Band carried off the All-Ireland championship, three years ago.

This club, which has been a major feature in the sporting and cultural life of the town, has played a pro-active role in the Maiden of Mourne Festival every year, organising the Family Fun Day.

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