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Opinion
Newry has an issue that prevents the city from reaching its full potential. What it is? - I don't know, but there is definitely some block there that needs to be moved on and now is the time.
Yes Newry has been pretty good at reinventing itself over the years. The Cistercians moved to Newry in 1157 creating a Abbey that had a massive impact on the area. Moving the clock forward to the 1700/ 1800's Newry became a merchant city of some wealth thanks to the influence of Newry Canal.
Newry is a City, oh yes it is. Anyone who repeats the oft stated 'Newry will always be a town' is guilty of doing themselves and us all a disservice! What was ever achieved by thinking small? In recent years Derry has reinvented itself. Known as 'The Walled City' it's now a hip and trendy place to visit with a signature Halloween Festival and of course home to Derry Girls. Newry must do the same.
Newry achieved its City status over 21 years ago, back in March 2002 and a decade ago the 'Newry Think Big' campaign was in full swing, but in the intervening years the city seems to have lost its way and not capitalised on its own marketing beliefs. Little appears to have happened to significantly make Newry a better place to work and live in.The arrival of a more diverse population with people making their homes in Newry from many parts of Europe and beyond is probably the thing that has the most positive impact on our city. Yes local business people have succeeded in bringing substantial employment and world beating businesses we can be proud of, to the city but what investment came from outside? Infrastructure wise in a full 20 years I can only think of the renovated Newry Train Station, new leisure centre, the Merchant's Quay walkway and the Carlingford Lough Greenway as projects that have improved our city.
Newry Chamber CEO Tony McKeown reminded us a while back of a video doing the rounds on social media from Black Paddy on his visit to Newry. On the video people said roughly one of two things when asked what's so special about Newry. Two answers were given 'It's the crack' or 'Newry's Sh**e' On the one hand those questioned saw the friendliness of us lot and the crack we love to have as a great positive while on the other hand some couldn't put forward anything positive. It's often said that the people who can't find anything good to say about something are the very people who don't do anything about their perceived gripes.
Newry's newly updated Culture, Arts and Heritage Strategy 2022-2027 states as an outcome "In 2027 Newry, Mourne and Down has a rich cultural life that is celebrated and protected for future generations. Our culture, arts and heritage creates economic impact in our urban centres and brings benefits to all our rural communities across the district." Lets hope our new arts facility and park are in place in 2027 and perhaps this will go some way in revitalising our stagnant city.
Yes the secret of Newry's future is to capitalise on its past. Masterplan after Masterplan has told us this yet nothing has been done. Newry Canal, Newry Canal, Newry Canal - It's still there to be developed. Lets hope that too is sooner rather than later and that instead of blocking off our most valuable resource to the world we will open it up to the world.
