Another personality, who made an enormous contribution to the community, was that genial character, Gene Magennis. Known as Newry�s Magnus Magnusson, because of his expertise in chairing Pub Quizzes, he was renowned for his ready wit, good humour, and obliging nature. He never refused any request to act as compeer, singer or comedian, especially for charity.

A talented goalkeeper with Shamrocks and Ballybot in the Carnbane League, he became an accomplished referee, officiating at important matches. But he was never known to send a player off. A resident of the Derrybeg estate, Genie was deeply involved in the local community, chairing the launch of the first Derrybeg Festival in 1968, attended by MP�s and councillors.

On the sporting front was Tom Tumilty, a fine boxer, who also assisted the legendary John Fearon as football and boxing coach at the St John Bosco Youth Club; Bob Bryson, who played for Linfield; and Paddy Gribben, formerly with Newry Celtic FC, but later a dedicated Gael with Newry Shamrocks GFC, involved with Fr Hugh Esler, Larry Beattie, Tommy McKay, TP Murphy and Bobby Langan in the provision of Pairc an Iuir, now Pairc Esler. A sister, Molly, was a fine camogie player.

A prominent local family was the O�Hare�s, - Charlie, Pat, John, Jimmy and Mickey; along with the Sheridans, - Madge, Rhoda and Bernadette, as well as brother Willie. Tommy McKeown, who was a mechanic at Lally�s coach-builders, had two daughters, Mary Teresa who married Tim Harding, while Annie became Mrs TJ Hanratty.

One of the main shops in the locality was Jack McClelland�s greengrocery business at the junction of William Street and Kilmorey Street. During the summer months, a famous figure could be spotted, sitting on an orange-box outside the premises. It would be local soccer superstar, Peter McParland, surrounded by former team-mates and admirers.

A short distance away was Charlie McCourt�s sweetie shop, headquarters of Newry Mitchel�s GFC. Incidentally, the proprietor�s late son, Brian, was married to Agnes Quinn from Cullyhanna, founder of Unislim, while Raymond (RIP) and their sister, Irene, were prominent members of Newry Musical Society.

There was no shortage of public houses in William Street, starting with Dowdalls at Abbey Yard; then Caseys, Magill�s and Willie Havern�s Dublin House, close to Dublin Bridge railway station. Other traders were the barber shop of Charlie McGrath, uncle of Mrs Assumpta Hyland; Hutchinson�s cycle shop; Tommy McKeown, shoe-repairer; Harding�s electrical; Murphy�s newsagency and McAteer�s garage.

Among the characters were Mary Dean, Gussie Kane, a noted time-keeper; Jimmy Gill, who served in the British and Irish armies; Tommy Cully and Jane McCann, who owned a confectionary shop; while Paddy Quinn had a horse-drawn cart.

Pat Carr from Custom House Avenue recalled that the Bridewell Prison at Kilmorey Street had provided overnight accommodation for drunks and vagabonds, who would be �loaded on to handcarts and unceremoniously dumped at the Bridewell.� He did errands for the police stationed there, going to McCorry�s newsagents for the local papers, etc. The reward was a few pennies, plus the right to rubber balls, trapped between the perimeter walls.

Social life centred around Minnie Smith�s house, where all the neighbours would gather for a `ceili.` Mrs Gribben from Chapel Street would read stories from `Ireland�s Own,` while those present would consume cans of porter from Tommy Byrne�s pub, also inhaling snuff. Tommy was known as `the squire`, having an aristocratic image. He also owned `Lily�s Shop.�

Another bar was owned by Terry Ruddy, famed band conductor, while Bertie Lennon had a confectionary shop, later occupied by McCavitt�s the butchers. The Grant sisters ran a grocery shop, later Matthews, which was recently demolished. The Shamrocks Hall was a large house, occupied by Mr Rooney, who used a horse and float to deliver goods from the Steampacket at Albert Basin to shops in the town. Sam Morrow�s shop was at the junction of Kilmorey Street and William Street.

The nearby Gasworks supplied a major demand for coke, especially among the poorer classes. Families bought the fuel in large pieces and broke them up. A well-known salesman was Edward Murphy from Ballinacraig, who hawked the coke as well as paraffin by donkey and trailer in the early 30�s.

Incidentally, a steam-horn was installed at the Gasworks, in order to alert the local fire service in case of an outbreak. However, it had a short life. When the alarm was sounded late one night, the local population `nearly went mad.` Such was the wailing that one old lady in Chapel Street died of a heart-attack!

Meanwhile, the Christian Brothers had a school in Kilmorey Street. And Pat Carr recalled in `Cuisle na Gael� how Bro Kelly would examine the boys� hands to ensure they were clean. Later, the building became the St John Bosco Boys Club, where carpentry classes were conducted by Hugh Gorman. Among his pupils was future soccer star, Peter McParland. The Gateway Club is now situated there.

Custom House Avenue, where the Carrs lived, was known as `Tan Opening.` One reason for the name was that Dowdalls the Tanners had a business there, while some locals claimed that the `Black and Tans� would park their vehicles in the avenue. The Carrs were a family of seamen, - Pat spent most of his life working on boats, while his brother Jimmy was killed on a Fishers ship, `the Privet� in 1941, as a result of German action.

Some people claim that the great community spirit once evident in Chapel Street, etc, has been dissipated by an influx of new tenants. Whatever the situation, there is no doubt that the craic was mighty at this unique re-union, as residents and ex-pats relived the cherished memories of those golden days.

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