Of course, there have been some famous exiles from �the Bridge of Mayo,� including the family of New York Mayor, Hugh Grant; �Big Jim� Larkin, Irish labour leader, and founder of the trade union movement in Ireland; as well as the eminent consultant at the famous Mayo Clinic in the USA, Dr Colm Gorman.

Nor can we forget the late Fr Hugh Sands, imprisoned twice by the Chinese Communists, who met the legendary ruler of Red China, Mao Tse Tung.

Entering St Coleman�s College in Newry, he became a priest, joining the Columban Fathers� Missions to China. Captured by the Communists, he was jailed for some years, and, on release, returned to Ireland for a rest.

However, Fr Sands made his way back to China, where he ministered for seven years, before being captured and imprisoned once more. Finally, he was expelled once more from the land he loved, and died in 1970.

Incidentally, his brother, Benedict, also became a priest, serving the missions in Nigeria, where he died of malaria in 1949.

Three priests from Mayobridge became bishops, including Fr Anthony Garvey, son of a wealthy landowner from Aughagun, who became the first Bishop of Dromore. Educated in Paris, where he graduated with a law degree, he was appointed Parish Priest at Clonallon.

At that time in the mid-70�s, the area came under the jurisdiction of Armagh Archdiocese, and the Archbishop was unwilling to yield any of his power. However, a petition signed by James the Pretender, son of King James 11 and over 30 clergy, was sent to the Pope, who acquiesced.

Bishop Garvey established his episcopal seat in the frontier town, though continuing to reside at Mayobridge.

Another Bishop of Dromore was Dr Hugh O`Kelly, who was consecrated in St Mary�s Church, Chapel Street, Newry, in 1830. He was responsible for acquiring the site for Newry Cathedral, founded a diocesan seminary at William Street, and resided at Boat Street in Newry.

Meanwhile, Dr Theophilis McCartan was installed as Bishop of Down and Connor in the 1700�s.

A small Mass-house was erected at Mayobridge in 1806 by Fr Bernard Polin, the first Catholic church in the parish since the Reformation.

A local Press report stated: �Fr. Polin brought this once-divided and disorderly part of the country to a state of civil and good order, by impressing on the minds of the people the necessity of mutual love for all mankind. He is an honour to his country, a glory to humanity, an ornament to religion, and a benefit to the world.�

Responsible for the construction of St Patrick�s Church at Mayobridge in 1862 was Fr John Brennan, a friend of Daniel O�Connell and Irish revolutionary, William Smith O�Brien.

Then, in 1986, the �Bridge of Mayo� became a parish in its own right, having been pat of Clonallon parish. And Fr Tom McConville was installed as the first parish priest.

Finally, there was further cause for rejoicing at Mayobridge, but also at Rostrevor, where he is P.P., when Fr. Arthur Bradley, former lorry-driver at Charlie Carr�s quarry and player with the local St Patrick�s GFC team, was raised to the rank of Monsignor by Pope John Paul in 1990.

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