Many people from Omeath have been employed in the Newry area, such as Michael, Joe and James (Jimmy) Boyle; Peggy, Rosaleen and Larry Phillips; and Russell Boyd of Boyd Stores.

Also such herring-men as Michael Morgan, Arthur Hagan, Peter McManus, Pat and Jimmy Phillips, have plied their trade in Newry Market, have hawked the silver-gleaming fish around the town, throughout South Armagh and South Down.

Founder and presenter of Radio Carousel, - Ireland�s most popular station, with a large audience in the Newry region, - later presenters included �Big O�, Gene Fitzpatrick, and a young man from Burren called Frank McClorey, which Hugh changed to Frank Mitchell (now of UTV).

The Omeath impresario has made programmes for RTE, UTV and other stations, as well as producing 110 videos, involving all the big names in Irish show-business.

President Mary McAleese has invited Hugh, along with Jim Aiken, Fr Brian Darcy and Jimmy Magee to organise next month�s extravaganza for charity, which will feature all the major Irish entertainers, including the Corrs, U2 and Westlife, Sinead O�Connor and Christy Moore, etc.

Another famous son would be the late Tommy Elmore, a pioneer of cross-border co-operation. He was a legend, not only in the Cooley peninsula, but also north of the border, where he had numerous friends and admirers.

Climax of his life came in St Peter�s Square, Rome when as President of the World Tug-of War Federation, he presented trophies to Pope John Paul, for competition in his native Poland.

Thousands attended the funeral in 1996, with the Minster of Justice, Norah Owen representing the Irish Government. Tommy had been a member of the National Executive of Fine Gael.

In a graveside oration, the chairman of Dundalk Urban Council, Stephen Burns described the late councillor Elmore as �a man of energy and, with a wonderful capacity to communicate, transcending race, religion, age, rank or politics. He had a fertile mind, but was also down to earth.�

Also present were three past chairmen of Newry and Mourne district council, - P.J. Bradley, Pat Toner and Jim McCart, who commented that deceased had been �the first to recognise the value of cross-border co-operation. And he was a pioneer in the formation of the East Border Region Committee, of which he was chairman.�

In a tribute to the late John Bell, a native of Cornamuckla, John McEvoy, former chairman of Newry and Mourne district council, and of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, recalled the long association with the Abbey primary school in Newry, as pupil, teacher and finally as Vice-principal.

�For a man of such quick intellect, John showed great qualities of patience, tolerance and kindness, admirably suited to teaching children with disability, - and much of his life was spent with those youngsters.

�Fascinated with politics, he was an articulate opponent of injustice. So, it was inevitable that he should participate in the civil rights movement in the late 60�s, joining the SDLP, and being easily elected to the district council. With his welcoming smile, mischievous twinkle, and good humour he lifted the spirits of everyone he came in contact with.�

And the ex-council chairman added: �But the council was just another stop for Johnny Bell, a leading member of the Abbey Players, along with his wife, Kathleen O�Donnell. Having helped to persuade the council to provide the Arts Centre, it was fitting that the Bell Gallery should be a reminder of the contribution his family have made to arts and culture in the area.�

Incidentally, if you fancy a flutter, why not try Davey�s pub on the Omeath border, regarded as one of Ireland�s luckiest Lotto outlets. It has chalked up nine Jackpots, as well as 36 winners on RTE�s �Winning Streak.� It could be you!

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