Another dedicated Forester has been newsagent Kevin Hanna, who was also involved with the INF Band, as well as St Bronagh�s GFC. President of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in the parish, he was a member of the Glen Mona Ceili Band. Incidentally, his brother, Fergus, editor of a community magazine in Manhattan, New York, was recently awarded a prestigious prize.

But, along with the triumphs have been tragedies. For example, three young men from the locality, - Thomas Cole, Luke Farrell and Richard O�Rourke were drowned when their boat capsized in a gale on Carlingford Lough in 1880, reminiscent of a similar event, a few years ago.

A tragedy of a different kind befell a young Rostrevor nurse, Teresa Longworth. Her marriage to a Major Yelverton in St Mary�s Catholic Church resulted in International press headlines. The case came before the British House of Lords, and led to a change in the law.

During the Crimean War, Teresa was based at a hospital in Constantinople, when she encountered the dashing British officer, Major Yelverton and fell in love. Well-educated and wealthy, he and his bride were showered with congratulations after their wedding in Rostrevor.

But no one could have had any inkling of the terrible tale of duplicity and hypocrisy; brazen appeal to the courts; an amazing verdict, derived from an ancient penal law, which gave release from sacred vows, making it one of the most notorious cases of the century. When Teresa�s case was lost at the House of Lords, she was abandoned, dying in obscurity. But more about this amazing episode anon.

Of course, religion has been central to the local community, ever since St Bronagh established a monastery here in the 6th century. The parish of Kilbroney, and many organisations bear her name. The bell, used by the saint, is now installed at St Mary�s Star of the Sea Church. It was discovered by workmen, hidden among the branches of an ancient tree, felled by a storm.

Following the Penal times, a small �Mass-house� was erected on the site of the present church in 1809. The land was donated by Rev Thomas Ross, the Protestant minister. Then, in 1844, the foundation stone for a proper church was laid by Fr Bernard Mooney, who had officiated at the famous Yelverton marriage. The new church was dedicated in 1854.

Finally, in 1921, Monsignor O�Reilly commissioned major improvements, followed by Canon McGirr, who �beautified the sacred edifice beyond recognition,� according to a Press report. A new organ was donated by Sir John and Lady Ross of Bladenburg, descendants of the famous general. They later joined the Catholic Church.

And there was rejoicing, 40 years ago, with the official opening of a new GAA park by the President of the Association, Hugh Byrne. The Rostrevor INF Band led the Down and Dublin teams in a pre-match parade, after the grounds had been blessed by Monsignor Timothy Boyle, assisted by the chairman of the club, Canon Joseph Pettit, after whom the park was later named.

�The realisation of a dream,� was how the GAA President described that historic occasion, praising the �first-class pitch, as well as the initiative and enterprise involved in developing new grounds. The club is the whole basis of the GAA, and the general well-being of the Association depends on the strength of the club. Having a park of your own gives stability to a club.�

He also praised the Down squad, �which has helped to put Gaelic football on such a high pedestal, and has brought much credit to their native county.�

Rostrevor was a tourist resort and health spa, long before Warrenpoint. Indeed, an eminent Dublin physician, writing in the 1850�s, described the village as �admirably suited as a residence for people of delicate health. It is the best situation for invalids which I have ever seen. Those who reside there may expect all the benefits which warm, dry air, regular exercise and enchanting scenery can possibly impart.�

And the Newry Magazine of 1815 eulogised: �The view up that sequestered vale gives to the mind an impression of quietitude, comfort, health and happiness. Such a soothing calm appears so diffused, that a poetic soul may imagine itself transported to a bower of Elysium, where the happy can wander through cool shades, and departed heroes enjoy blissful repose.

�Here, merchants, lawyers and other wealthy classes, who tread on the heels of the aristocracy, retire to spend the evening of their lives, in this romantic and secluded retreat!�

< Previous Page