�Blessed with glorious weather, we planned a barbeque in Clonallon Park at the end of one of our cycles. Seamus Smyth dispensed gallons of orange juice. And Kilbroney Park was the venue for three busloads of mums, dads, babies and even grannies. We had burgers, baps, even midges and wasps, - great fun was had by all!

�The more ambitious took to the hills! About 30 teenagers and five adults assembled for our first outing to the Mournes. A walk from Leitrim lodge through the hills and back, via the Rocky River was planned. A great spirit of camaraderie existed along the young people, - no cassettes or radios, just good craic and fun in the river.

�Bus trips to Butlins and Newcastle were laid on, so that families could have days out together. These proved very popular, and bus-drivers often had sore ears from all the singing. The finale for 1989 was a competition for all at the Olympic Superbowl. Great fun for all ages!� Mrs Margaret Comer reported.

With acquisition by the parish of the Shamrocks Hall in Boat Street, and its official opening by Bishop Brooks, facilities were available for the elderly, - including a Day Centre, dinner and bingo, - as well as youth and their parents. Dances were laid on, with local artists like Alice Payne, Eddie Heaney, Mrs Rowntree and Fr McCarron; also football and netball, with a disco for the 11 to 14 age-group.

Meanwhile a three-day celebration began with a fancy dress parade through the streets, followed by a barbeque and disco. A social evening for adults was organised, as well as a Sports Day for all. Over 300 balloons were released, and the money donated to the Hospice. There was a bouncy castle, three-legged races and tugs of war. Prizes were presented by our famous local goalie, Pat Jennings.

Close to the Shamrocks Hall in Boat Street, after Matt and Molly McAteer�s pub, - was the Markeys, - Hugh the father; a docker; his sons Danny, Paddy, Eddie, Hugh and Tommy, while the daughters were Rose, Sarah and Dolly. Paddy was a street-cleaner, who operated with a bin-cart.

One day, when `L` plates had just been introduced, someone pinned the plate on Paddy�s cart. He was pleasantly surprised that everyone smiled as he passed by. It was only on arrival at the Council Yard in Francis Street, that a work-mate indicated the reason for the smiles. Paddy�s sister, Mrs Sarah Shields, lived next door to us in O�Neill Avenue, and her brother would call in each morning for an unofficial coffee-break!

The Lynch family lived in the next house, - Paddy Rhoda, Cissie and Kathleen. Then came the residence of the McLaughlins, next door to the Shamrocks Hall, - Paddy, a fowl-plucker; his sons Teddy, an ambulance-driver; Noel, Tony, a joiner, and his sons, John, Francis, Harry, Kevin, Finn, Eamonn, Brian,; also and Margaret.

Joe Rooney operated a float, while John Murtagh kept a pony and trap for delivering milk; Hugh Grant, a lamp-lighter and actor was next; then Jim, Mary and Josie Campbell; Leslie Nicholls, who was chairman of Newry Town F.C.; followed by the Collins family and Henry McLaughlin, who also had a float.

Minnie Grant ran a shop on the corner; then the Hartes, and John Charles Rooney with his family. The large Hughes clan, of which Mrs Mary Ellen Grogan was the eldest, came next; followed by the Duffy twins, - Gerry, a waiter in the Independent Club, and Anthony, employed in the Gas-works, as well as sister, Maggie. Thomas Markey and his brother Dan were stonecutters, responsible for the steps leading to Newry Cathedral.

The Cunninghams were a sea-faring family, and next-door were the McAllisters; Willie Rafferty, who used a wheel-barrow at Newry Market; and Mrs Connolly, grandmother to the late Fr PJ O�Hanlon. Then there was the gateway to a yard, in which Cllr Gerry Hand, bookmaker, kept greyhounds in partnership with Paddy Sheridan. Meanwhile, Minnie Reilly, who read cups, was the mother of Ownie, who had a furniture shop in Mary Street.

After Barney Crilly and his family, Dinnie, Cissie and Eileen, was the home of Johnney McGivern a roofer; the Pearse family; and Patsy Hughes, a projectionist at the Frontier Cinema, with his off-spring. Peter Feenan was a blacksmith; Minnie O�Brien was famed for her crochet work; followed by Michael McAleavey, who drove a bin-lorry; John and Paddy; Nellie and Ann.

Next to George Rafferty and family was Peter Carr, a one-legged historian; and Patsy Cunningham, a seaman, whose sons were Patsy and Tony, with Mary, Rosetta and Bernadette, daughters.

Meanwhile, Boat Street retains the youthful exuberance of the Shamrocks era, as the St Mary�s Club, under the direction of Kate Cahill, provides a range of activities, whereby young people can direct their energies in a positive direction!

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