Newry Maritime Association offering free guided bus tours as part of their latest Heritage project

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Many of the passengers that boarded the Hannah originated from Forkhill in South Armagh

Newry Maritime Association has teamed up with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to launch the Association's James MacMahon Heritage Project. The project includes free guided bus tours of South Armagh

Renowned local historian, Kevin Murphy, will lead the tours which form an integral part of the project. The tours will showcase the ill-fated famine ship ‘The Hannah’, which left Warrenpoint in April 1849 bound for Quebec. Many of the passengers that boarded the ship originated from Forkhill in South Armagh and would have purchased their passage from Newry Merchant and Shipping Agent, James Mac Mahon.

The project reflects on the role that James Mac Mahon the Newry merchant and shipping agent made during the famine years, which contributed to the development of the commercial sector in Newry during the 19^th century.

It's part of the Council’s ‘Capacity Building’ programme and is supported by the European Union PEACE IV Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match funding has also been provided for this project by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

The trips are open to everyone and are fully funded by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme. Operating on Saturday 16 October, Saturday 23 October, Saturday 30 October and Saturday 6 November, trips will leave Southern Regional College in Newry at 11am, arriving at Thomas Davis Hub, Newry at 2pm for refreshments, followed by a presentation on ‘The Hannah’ delivered by Kevin Murphy. Passengers will then be returned to Southern Regional College at 4.30pm.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said, “I very much welcome this project, it is a great example of how we can come together as a community to learn about our shared history and the contribution that historical figures have made to the development of Newry and beyond”.

The Chairman of Newry Maritime Association, James Mc Arevey said, “We are delighted to have received funding for this important heritage project from the European Union PEACE IV Programme. Working closely with Newry City Library, Bessbrook Heritage and Historical Group and the Church of Ireland congregations in Newry and Bessbrook, we have collectively created a well-researched project for the community to enjoy.”

To book your place on this project or to request more information please email: jmcarevey1@hotmail.com