A heavy-weight boxer with the St John Bosco Club, Frank Cole would bring the crowd to their feet at Tournaments in the Town Hall, as he tried to land a haymaker on his opponent�s chin.

In GAA circles were two stars from the adjoining Erskine Street, - Eddie Burns, who was in the Down squad, which won the Sam Maguire Cup in 196O, as well as the Newry Shamrocks side, which collected the County Senior Championship in 1961. Also Larry Powell, who won an All-Ireland Championship medal in 1968. Meanwhile, Seanie O�Hanlon was a founder player with Newry Mitchels GFC.

Among the other public houses were the Ship Bar, Sullivan�s later � the Yank�s,� bought by a returned American emigrant, John Cunningham from Kilkeel. Noel Flynn, who had been in the United States, also opened a pub. He was a member of the Cloughmore Male Voice Choir. And, of course, it was outside the Hermitage Bar that leading drug-dealer, �Speedy� Fegan, was shot dead.

A plethora of politicians also resided here, including the Chairman of Newry and Mourne Council, Billy McCaigue; a former Chairman, Danny Kennedy; as well as the Vice-chairman of Newry Urban Council, Billy Baird. Also Councillors Eddie Ruddy, Gerry Mulholland, Aubrey Wylie, Robert Dixon, J.J. Campbell, Jack Bradfield and Joey McCullough.

Eddie Ruddy, a fine musician, played with the Ray Morgan Showband, and later toured with the popular �Crubeen� Folk Group. He was also involved with Newry Mitchels GFC.

Council colleague, Gerry Mulholland was Foreman at Newry Cattle Market, and later Chief Security Officer at Chivers factory, now the W.I.N. Industrial Estate. He played a key role when the Irish Labour Party swept to power in 1958, promoting major housing and other necessary projects.

This congenial personality was also a selector, along with his brother Danny and Eddie Campbell, when Newry United, including Pat Jennings, won the Irish Junior Cup, amid great celebrations.

A Unionist Councillor, Aubrey Wylie, won many plaudits when he took his place in the front rank of the Newry Civil Rights March of 1969, which ended in rioting. His Electrical business was on the site of the former RIC Police Station in Canal Street.

Councillor Charlie Casey reported that his first job had been as messenger-boy at Benny Davis� shop at the top of the street. He recalled that, in earlier times, the Union Jack and bunting had been displayed at Canal Street on the Twelfth of July.

But since the 60�s, he added, the demographic balance had changed, and there was now a majority of nationalists there.

Meanwhile, the Canal Street Heritage Partnership is forging ahead, under the Chairmanship of Bertie Flynn, as a regeneration and conservation project, with the support of the Ulster Architectural and Heritage Society.

Let us hope that Bertie and Robert McCullough�s hopes come through, and that this street, which appeared on the maps of 1763 as a flourishing commercial and residential area, will be preserved and developed to the highest standard.

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