Write a comment
Later this month the Old Newry Society are holding a talk on Newry's historic waterways at Newry Museum. 'From the Basin to the Bar' is a photographic journey on our local waterways using photos which local maritime historian Seán Patterson has collected over the years. During the talk Seán will focus on local shipping histories, the railways and local folklore.
The journey begins at ‘The Swinging Basin’ in Newry and concludes at the Bar in Carlingford Lough where the lough meets the sea. Among the topics covered will be emigration and tragedies like the Carlingford Lough Tragedy of 1916.
Seán is a former schoolteacher, born and brought up in Drumalane Park, beside the Newry Ship Canal where he developed his interest in local maritime history. He was a watch leader with Ocean Youth Trust Ireland from 2003 until 2010. He has also appeared on numerous radio and television broadcasts in Ireland.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne, said, “This talk is a reminder of this area’s proud maritime past. The Canal and the port of Newry provided employment for generations of local merchant seamen. The talk also acts as teaser to the opening of a new temporary exhibition, ‘Making Waves’, which will look at the history of Newry as a port town”.
The talk will take place at 2pm on Saturday 22 March in Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal’s Castle. The entry cost is £2.50 per person. If you wish to book or you require more information, please email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org
