And he reported how a community leader, local councillor and shop-keeper, Niall McAteer campaigned on many issues, along with Mary Treanor of River Street, being a scourge of the `powers-that-be`. He would organise open-air dancing on the street. Later, Cllr McAteer later left Newry and resided in Belfast.

Driving-force behind `Project Re-union`is John Duffy, son of Paddy `Dollar` Duffy, married to Kathleen McElroy, whose three brothers were butchers. A sister was the wife of Louis Spencer. John had four sisters, Marie, Alice and Winnie, as well as Frances ( Mrs Brian Savage). A brother Pat (Dollar) is on the staff of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.

At the Abbey School, - where the teachers included Bros Nagle and Newell, Paddy Arthur Crinion, `Tod ` Sweeney and `Judy` Hoey, - John was encouraged to study Art and Design by Bro Liston. He recalled how Peter McParland had been punished for playing soccer by GAA fanatic, Bro Newell. Other pupils included Peter Keenan, Mick Hanna and Noel Carr.

John Duffy also recalled how, during the war, British soldiers had erected block-houses and barricades along Chapel Street, and that there had been an Air Raid Shelter on the green at the rocks above the High Walk. Everyone was compelled to carry a gas-mask.

Joining the staff of the Town Planning Office under Ken Kenney, the trainee architect was involved in carrying out improvements at St Mary�s Old Chapel. By coincidence, his grandfather, Barney McElroy, who was a carpenter, had performed repairs to the building in the early 1900�s.

There followed a spell with Dow-Mac in Warrenpoint; then the construction of the Shell skyscraper in London. Returning home in the 60�s, John Duffy worked in the design section design at the Rolls Royce Grundig plant in Belfast; and he designed the show-house at the Ideal Home Exhibition in the city.

Finally, in 1964, he became manager of the Newry office of the DJ McRandall Architect, being involved in the construction of a large new office block for Newry Rural Council.

That period, 40 years ago, also saw that gifted professional begin a role in the community movement, which would become very important and all-absorbing.

Derrybeg Social and Sports Club had been burned down, and it was decided to build a new community centre at the estate, without any grants. John Duffy became a consultant to the local community association, and was appointed as a trustee.

Among the leading members were Barney Larkin, Mickey McCaul, Lou Morgan, Frank Gallagher, Vincent and Gerry Carroll, Des Magennity, Bernie Hughes, Jack Shea, Davey Morley and Gene Magennis.

Other Newry estates such as Barcroft, High Street, Mourne View, Drumalane and Chapel Street then came on board, the latter being led by Eddie Heaney, Mena Duffy, Rose McCann and Phyllis McAteer. John Duffy was appointed Trustee of several. Newry Shamrocks GFC and Killeavy Youth Club, also saw the benefit of shared experience, especially in applying for grants. Such organisations as Newry Shamrocks GFC and Killeavy Youth Club also saw the benefit of shared experiences, especially in applying for grants with regard to new amenities.

Establishment of the Confederation of Community Groups was the ultimate step, and the climax came with the official opening of Ballybot House by EU Commissioner, Padraic Flynn. No one could have been prouder that the architect of that enterprise, John Duffy from Chapel Street.

Finally, just for the record, former stevedore Jimmy (Darkie) McKevitt gave me a run-down on the individuals and families who resided in that street, about 60 years ago. Starting from St Mary�s Old Chapel were the Magennnis and McEvoy families, Maggie Jennings, Mr Burns (band-conductor), Tim Healy (engineer), Jack Gorman (barber), John Byrne (Gas-works), Mr Beattie (postman) and George Massey (barber).

Then came Cllrs Niall McAteer and Patrick Quinn-Bennett; Billy Duffy (painter), John McAteer (docker), Jimmy Canavan (actor and lamp-lighter), Mr Daly, Jack McElroy (butcher), John Delahunt (seaman), Frank McEvoy, Michael Hanratty, the Keenan, O�Hare and Kearns families, followed by the Dorans and Meehans, Maggie Toman and Thorntons. Down the Entry were Bartley Feehan, Billy McCann, McCormacks, Hughes and Somers.

Leaving Boat Street, the residents were Tommy Fearon, the Harte and Downey families, Paddy Rice, Carrolls and Toners, Maggie and Paddy Gribben, Frank McElroy (carpenter), Cllr WF Cunningham (killed in the 1914/18 war), James McClelland, Keenans and Charlie McDonald.

On the High Walk were the Magennis, McMahon, Cunningham and Rafferty families. John McAlinden, McGuigans, Minnie Kelly, Captain Kearns, Mickie Griffen, the McKevitts (dockers), Connollys, McLaughlins, Coulters, Murrays, Stewarts, Barney McAteer, Eddie Kearney (baker), Connollys, John Daly, McManus, Feenans, James Duffy, McGauleys, Peter McCann, Sam McAlpine, John Hughes, McCauley, Paddy McAteer (stone-cutter) Barney Campbell, Griffens and Paddy Rafferty.

The final group of residents were Mick Griffen, the Stokes brothers, Grants, Mick McDonald and Pat Campbell, while Tomas McArdle (Gaelgeoir), the Jennings and McAteer families lived at Upper Chapel Street.

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