From the Basin to the Bar

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 his talk Seán will focus among others, 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.

The Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Pete Byrne, stated that the “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”.

This event has been organised in association with the Old Newry Society.