In 1983, the first Enterprise Agency in the North was set up, with Frank Dolaghan being replaced by Margaret Andrews who, in turn, was succeeded by Conor Patterson in 1995. The Pattersons are one of the oldest Newry families. Conor's father, uncles and grandfather were all welders and blacksmiths, a tradition stretching back 200 years. From the base of an established iron-mongery business in Castle Stret, members of the family established manufacturing businesses, which thrived between the 1950's and 80's.

Under the tutelage of Conor, who is a cousin of Newry's Mayor, Jackie Patterson, the Enterprise Agency has developed into the most dynamic and innovative development agency in Ireland or Britain. For example, its A.C.E. Programme has provided employment for 1,200 people over a period of seven years, carrying out valuable community service projects. Also, such community training organisations as Souther Itec and Souther Group Enterprises were inspired by the exampe of the Newry Co-op. And the Enterprise Agency became the principle delivery agent for Newry and Mourne district council's economic stragegy, as well as promoting increased cross-border trade and co-operation.

As chief executive Conor Patterson stressed: "The Co-operative remains a non profit-making organisation, aimed at achieving an improved quality of life for all the people of Newry and Mourne. We offer the expertise of our professional team of Business Development Executives, mostly free of charge. The Newry and Mourne region now has more small businesses per head of the population than any other part of Northern Ireland. Over the past 14 years, the Enterprse Agency has helped to establish almost 1,000 new businesses in Newry and Mourne, as well as providing work for almsot 2,000 long-term unemployed, through the A.C.E. Programme.

"In one year alone the Agency, along with L.E.D.U., supported the setting-up of 57 new small businesses in South Down and South Armagh. And since 1984, we have provided counselling to more than 4,000 people, about the opportuniites and pitfalls which face those who plan to start their own business. A proud achievement is that 80 per cent of the businesses, which the Agency helped to establish, have survived the difficult first year. And almost one in five households in Newry and Mourne have in some way benefitted. Our proudest boast is that the rejuvenation of the Newry area has been produced by self-help," Mr Patterson stated.

One of the 600 shareholders, who had an input of 5 pounds, thirty years ago, I was taken on a tour of that impressive complex by the chief executive, who was also a resident of Mary Street. He proudly showed the fine conference facilities; the ICT Unit; business library; IT training unit; the thriving business section, including the Irish language unit; the Drake Project for Physically Disabled Young People; Marie Crafts, Lordship Designs; Sheridan's Bakery and Burns Plaster Mouldings, etc. And I was introduced to the Financial Controller, Liam Quinn, son of popular bus-driver, Luke Quinn from St Clare's Avenue; Michael Durkin, Senior Business Executive, brother of UTV presenter, the late Brian Durkin; also Kieran Mathers, whose father, Michael, has been active on the dramatic and musical scene; Jennifer Malone, Barbara Whitfield and Paul McCormack.

As the chairman of the Co-operative, John McMahon declared: "We must concentrate on ensuring that the improvement in our local economy is not a short-lived phenomenon, and that we bring diverse employment opportunities for all our people. We should enable our firms to compete with the best; and that we improve the quality of life of the weaker and less advantaged in our society. The Co-operative's vision is of a prosperous Newry and Mourne, in which all its citizens are able to fulfill their potential, and so enjoy a good quality of life."

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