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Originating in the 17th century as information sheets for merchants, newspapers became an essential element to everyday life by the 19th century. Although with the introduction of the internet in the early 21st century, there has been a decline in the production of physical copies as most news is available on digital format. Newspapers are a vital source of information with an amazing ability to reach a large number in the population as well as providing a primary source of their time for any historian.
and Mourne Museum
One item in the museum collection showcasing the value of the press is the 1773 cover of the Newry Journal. The cover is a list of Members of Irish Parliament who were for, and against, liberty of the press. This local newspaper was launched by Robert Jones in 1760 and was in circulation for a short period of time. This paper was considered one of the first newspapers published in Newry with the Newry Chronicle owned by Joseph Gordon, produced at his printing works in Market Street shortly following. The Newry Recorder which was published in 1814 came next.
Another item in our collection is a newspaper supplement from 1914 which is an almanac published by the Newry Telegraph. Almanacs which list anniversaries of historic events and religious festivals were popular publications in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The almanac on display in Newry and Mourne Museum features the Councillors and officials of Newry Urban District council, many of whom were also businessmen in the local area. The Newry Telegraph was bought by Alexander Fisher in 1916 with the aim of using it as a tool for recruitment for the first world war since ill health prevented him from enlisting. The Newry Telegraph (continuing from The Newry Commercial Telegraph which operated from 1812.) ended its run on Saturday the 20th 1970 with volume 157 due to the rising costs of production.
year of publication, Almanac 1914', supplement to the
Newry Telegraph newspaper, featuring prominent people
of Newry in 1914. Includes pictures and a list of dates of
significance. Newry and Mourne Museum
While Newry can boast of the many papers printed in the area, such as the Newry examiner (1830-1844), the Newry Herald (1858–64), and the Frontier Sentinel (1904-1972) two of them are still in operation to this day: The Newry Reporter and the Newry Democrat. Established in 1867 by James Burn with the first paper published on Saturday 16th November, the Newry Reporter has been in operation for over 155 years. For most of its production the paper was owned by three generations of the Hodgett family (who also owned the Newry Telegraph at the time of its closing.) The reporter was due to publish their last ever edition on the 26th of January 2023 but was saved when British multimedia company National World bought the paper.
Circulating since 1967, the Newry Democrat was merged with the Down Democrat in 2010, the company was then sold by their owners, Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) for an undisclosed sum. TCH owned a total of 14 newspapers including the Irish Examiner, Waterford News and The Irish Post. The Democrat was bought by the Alpha Newspaper Group, owned by former Unionist MP John Taylor, now Lord Kilclooney, and his family.
of the Newry Reporter Newry and Mourne Museum
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
