WHY not have a re-union of those who �lived above the shop� at Hill Street in Newry, along with the many, who spent most of their working lives along the main thorough-fare of the frontier town?

That novel suggestion has come from the former Mayor of Newry, Cllr Jackie Patterson, who was born and reared around the corner in Water Street. Also, as Chairman of the City Centre Partnership, his role is to enhance its vitality and appeal, challenging The Quays, Buttercrane and Five-ways.

Gothic jewel in the crown is, of course, the cathedral, while ornate structures dominate Marcus Square, with a splendid focal-point at Margaret Square. Responsible for this Ambitious development was the Hill family, who gave their name to the main street, as well as Hilltown and Hillsborough.

Many events have been witnessed here, - Corpus Christi Processions: Easter Commemoration Parades; British Legion Marches to St Mary�s Church, - with Catholic ex-servicemen, peeling off for a Service in the cathedral, - Civil Rights demonstrations; and Canal Festival Parades.

But there have also been traumatic times, - such as the shops ablaze on the morning of Interment; the controversial death of two young men at Radcliffe�s drapery store; the shooting dead and triple funeral for three unarmed men; and the bombing blitz of local businesses, especially in 1973.

Of course, there was the glorious climax of Down GAA celebrations, after conquest of the Sam Maguire Cup in 1960. And, two years later, a large crowd gathered outside the Imperial Hotel at Marcus Square to bid `bon voyage,` as the All-Ireland champions left on a tour of the United States. On return, the heroes in red and black surrendered their crown!

Maybe the most unusual trade to be practised on Hill Street was the pawn-broking firm of McManus, situated near the market. A long-time employee was Newry Mitchels GFC stalwart, John McAleavey, who recalled how `the pawn` was regarded as `the poor man�s bank,` later owned by Joe McConville.

And he described how, beside the sign of the three golden balls, was White�s Yard, which contained Hughie O�Hare�s the bookies; Paddy White, the coffin-maker; Harris the cooper; Hector Monroe, welder; Mr Martin, a blacksmith; and Frank Sweeney�s store, while the Rankin family also lived there.

�Long queues would form outside the pawn on Monday mornings, when about 350 pledges would be given, with tickets costing four pence each. They would include ornaments, clothing, oil-lamps and jewellery. Loans would range from a few shillings to �50. The great majority of our customers were the poorer people of Newry, with business being steady and predictable. Most pledges were redeemed on Fridays and Saturdays.

�However, not all customers were from poor backgrounds. Some well-heeled residents of the town ended up in difficult circumstances, and were only too grateful for the pawnshop. But the vast bulk of pledges came from labourers� and dockers� families. If a boat had to be discharged unexpectedly, the docker�s wife would pawn an oil-lamp in order to get the money to pay for her husband�s lunch. The lamp would be redeemed as a soon as the docker was paid.�

�Some families were embarrassed about dealing with us, and wouldn�t be seen entering our premises. There was a social stigma about the pawn, so that `runners` would do business with us, on behalf of neighbours. Others had no hang-up about coming in. I remember some of the poorest people in Newry, giving us apples and oranges at Halloween or Christmas.

And John McAleavey described in `Cuisle na Gael` how an American soldier, based in the area during the last war, had tried to pawn a machine-gun. Also some `Pavvies` would buy clothing coupons from hard-pressed local families, during the war-time and post-war years, using these in exchange for suit-lengths and black-out material at the pawn-brokers. The black-out material would be sold for suit-lengths.

�In later years, people were not afraid to borrow large sums of money, just to keep up appearances. Some pawnbrokers were offered cars or deeds of houses, as pledge for a loan, at an attractive rate of four per cent per month,� he reported.

Employees of Patrick McManus included John Shannon, Arthur Markey, Pat Cosgrove, Brendan Hanley, Gerry McParland and Joe McConville. Other such businesses in the town were Russell and Dougan on Hill Street; Glenny and Harcourt at Castle Street; Rice and Tweedie at Chapel Street; Law at Market Street, and Mrs Quinn at Lower North Street.

Incidentally, Mc Manus `the Pawn`, - now Tavey�s the drapers, - was on the site of a school, run by Dr Henderson, whose pupils included the patriots John Mitchel, Dr Kells Ingram and John O�Hagan. The pawnshops were adversely affected by British Government reforms regarding Social Security payments, and the establishment of the Credit Union movement in the 1960�s.

Almost directly opposite the pawnshop, Irish dancing supremo, Jack Connolly and his brothers, Gerard and Desmond, lived above the confectionary and tobacconist shop, run by their mother since the 1930�s. Their address was No 1 Hill Street, while next door was Andy Boyd�s hardware shop, listed as John Mitchel Place.

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