DESPITE its reputation as a haven of peace and good relations, the quiet little town of Poyntzpass was thrust into the world headlines, ten years ago, following an atrocity of cold-blooded barbarity.

Two good friends from the locality, Damien Treanor and Philip Allen, one a Catholic and the other a Protestant, were shot dead at Canavan�s Bar on the main street. The outrage caused universal horror, and brought the First Minister, David Trimble and Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, on a joint visit to the bereaved families.

Meeting weekly for drill, the �Defenders of the Pass,� with their antiquated pistols and pikes, made at local forges, proved no match for the militia and yeomanry in a pitched battle. Taken prisoner, the local leader was executed on the spot. The cavalry then set fire to houses throughout the countryside. The cross-community aspect of the area was later demonstrated at Acton National School in the 1840�s, when there were 34 Catholic and 35 Protestant pupils on the roll. President Mary McAleese last year acknowledged this exemplary situation by inviting the committee of the Poyntzpass and district Local History Society, along with other prominent personalities, to a special reception at Aras an Uachtarainn. The occasion was �a recognition of the strong community bonds in the area, and the hope that others will follow that example.�

Dr Pamela Marshall, who is chairperson of the Society, has issued an invitation in the journal, `Before I Forget,` urging people in the region to join and participate in the Local History Society, �which provides a very important social contact for many, as well as gathering history, folklore and customs.�

Among those who have played an important role in the society, as well as contributing to the journal, have been Frank Watters, Mickey Waddell, John Joe Sands, John Campbell, Sarah and Minnie Savage and Harry O�Hare.

Mickey Waddell has vivid memories of former days, including working as a young boy along the Newry canal, where his family operated one of the locals. And this irrepressible character, employed at a chemist�s shop in the frontier town, also bestrode the stage, first with the Abbey Players, and later in his native Poyntzpass.

90 years ago Mickey�s father and mother were appointed lock-keepers by Newry Port and Harbour Trust. There were 14 locks on the canal, stretching from the Omeath Road. Three of them were in the �Pass area, - John Waddell�s at Crack Bridge, McVeigh�s at Railway Crossing, and Arthur Moody�s alongside the town. Sodilva McVeigh, whose grand-mother ran the locks, is married to former Down G.A.A. star, Leo Murphy. She plays an active role in the literary and musical life of the community at Rostrevor.

Born in 1919, Mickey Waddell recalled watching his mother operating the lock gates, while he was standing in a tea-chest. And he described how barges or `lighters` were drawn by horses along the towpath. Young boys would lead the horses, while the skipper would stand at the back of the vessel, steering with a rudder. The boys were poorly-paid and suffered from the cold and wet.

�The lighter-men were mostly good-humoured, but hard as nails when annoyed. They called each other by nicknames. Most famous was a man named Davidson, who was known as `Hammer-head.` The poor fellow died of exposure, drink and malnutrition. At the inquest in Newry Workhouse, a witness stated that he probably hadn�t had his clogs off his feet for 15 years.

�Another character was Tommy McCann, known as `Top Coat.` He wore his overcoat, even in summer. Dan Skelton was known as `Heel of the Evening,` John Neill, who had a big, round face like a full moon, was called `Bap` Neill, while Paddy Quinn was referred to as `Smokey` Quinn.�

Mickey Waddell also described how some of the lock-houses on the canal had stables for the horses. As darkness approached and the barge was tied up, the horse would be fed, and the skipper with his helper would sleep in the cabin.

�There was a stable at our lock, and usually the men would come into our house for a bit of craic. The yarns would be told, a game of cards or draughts would be played. Peter Campbell was a regular visitor, along with Dan Harte. Both played the mouth-organ. A great night of music and song would take place. My mother laid on supper, with mugs of tea, soda-bread and country butter.

�The job of lock-keeper was not well-paid, but the house was rent-free. And there were perks to the job. There was a small hut, in which we kept the implements for opening the sluices to the locks-gates. A large potato basket was left in full view of the `lightermen.` Most took the hint and filled it with coal. My mother would hand over soda bread, an apple-tart, a few eggs or a jug of milk. It was a form of barter, but strictly off the record!�

And Mickey Waddell went on: �When I reached the age of 11 or 12, I was asked to do a bit of cooking, - fried bacon and eggs, or steak and onions. This saved time of the `lightermen,` who could keep on going. I earned a tanner (sixpence). Sometimes, when delph was scarce, they would take the tea out of jam-pots.�

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