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Newry and Mourne Museum is currently hosting an exhibition that will give locals and visitors alike a real insight into a defining period in local history.
The Legacy: Newry 1920 - 1930 takes a fascinating look at everything from the politics of the day, to partition, dividing up the land, the War of Independence, the Civil War, setting up of the border, Customs checks, and the different attitudes among local business people at the time.
It wasn't all politics though. As always life goes on as normal in many facets. Whist Drives continued in the Minor Town Hall, St Patrick's Choral and Operatic Society presented 'The Yeomen of the Guard in the Town Hall and like the border, Newry Musical Feis is still going strong almost 100 years after being set up in 1928!
The Exhibition which opened in October 2021 contains many artefects from the museum's own collection as well as some on loan.
One of the most prominent is the 'Not an Inch' Cup which in today's lingo would be "it does exactly what it says on the tin!" The Cup on loan from National Museums NI was presented to Sir James Craig, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland by the Unionists of Newry and the Orangemen of Newry No.9 District in 1926 ‘as a token of their appreciation of his unswerving stand on the boundary’
Explaining the background of the exhibition Declan Carroll, Newry and Mourne Museum said " It's looking at that period of 1920 to 30. Obviously from 1920 to 21 you have the onset of the establishment of Northern Ireland so you had the the treaty talks in the south with the powers that be basically dividing up how the country is going to be governed, with the establishment of the Irish Free State, and the establishment of Northern Ireland. And then where did that leave Newry in that situation. The Exhibition tells a story of how we were affected by that decision, there's arguments for and against partition from businessmen in the area like McCann's, how the council reacted to being on the north side of the border and how that all took shape."
Carroll adds "We're living with the after effects of what happened 100 years ago. We have more evidence of what was happening, people's attitudes and what was going on during the period. People can see what was going on, why people made certain decisions and why we live in the current situation that we do live in."
A football jersey and cap donated by Peter McAvoy features prominently. Worn by Frank McEvoy from Chapel St in Newry who played for the Irish Football Association in a Irish Junior International game against Scotland in 1923. Football clubs in the south of Ireland split from the IFA in 1921 to form the FAI. McEvoy also played for Newry Town, Dundalk and Glentoran.
A War of Independence Medal sits alongside a Crumlin Road Gaol door card donated by Tom Kelly. Both owned by Volunteer Thomas Kelly who was imprisoned in 1921 for the possession of fire arms. Photographs and maps also tell the story of the personalities of the day and the boundaries they were fixing.
A top quality book accompanies the exhibition with further insight on the period. The book can be picked up for free at the museum or you can contact them for a digital version.
The Legacy: Newry 1920 - 1930 is open until October 2022.
At present Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm.
You can call 0330 137 4422 or email MUSEUM@NMANDD.ORG for further information.
