Factories and Employment in Newry from 1960s and 1970s

The Museum collection contains artefacts relating to several factories and businesses that were established in Newry to tackle the issues of unemployment in and around the 1960s and the 1970s. This week’s article will highlight some of those factories that offered work opportunities in the local area.

The Ulster Farmers’ Bacon Company was formed in 1955 by the Pigs Marketing Board in association with Henry Denny & Sons, when Mr. W.P. Anderson approached the board to co-operate with him in the development of his bacon curing business. The factory was officially opened at Lisdrumgullion by Lord Brookeborough on 18^th May 1962. Due to the necessity of training new staff, full production wasn’t reached until September that year with 165 staff members prepping 3,000 pigs per week. The factory closed in the mid-1990s, and Damolly Retail Park was built over the former factory site. 

Not all factories managed such longevity. In 1961, Seenozip opened on the Warrenpoint Road. During this period, the town was dealing with the closure of the Horrockses factory which led to 300 workers becoming unemployed. To aid the business, Newry Urban Council decided to grant the company exemption from rates for ten years. The factory was fitted with the latest machinery in the hopes that it would help the company reach their target of producing one million “invisible” zip-fasteners in the first year. It was hoped that when the factory reached full production (estimated to take three years) they would have employed 400 workers. The business would close within two years after several issues, which included a walk out of over 100 employees within the first six months of opening. 

Another noted factory that became a milestone for the area would be the Reckitt and Colman factory. Known locally as the ‘Jam Factory’, it produced potato powder, baby food and jellies. The factory closed in 1974 at a cost of 400 jobs. During this period, Newry would have the third highest level of unemployment in Northern Ireland. A group consisting of local individuals and business owners was formed (known as Newry & Mourne Co-operative Ltd) to help regenerate Newry with help from LEDU, (Local Enterprise Development Unit). The campaign was known as W.I.N (Work in Newry) with the plan to halt the sale of the factory and to gather enough funds to buy the building. The campaign was successful having raised the £100,000 needed and the factory was converted into starter workspace units for unemployed and underemployed people. This was one of the first community owned and managed workspace projects in Europe.

LEDU also provided funding for Norbrook. The pharmaceutical company was founded in 1969 by Edward Haughey later known as Lord Ballyedmond. By 1970 it had moved from Bessbrook Mill to Greenbank Industrial Estate, before expanding to three other locations in Newry. It would become one of the most successful businesses to be assisted by LEDU. The company would also become a global top twenty manufacturer of animal health products and is still operational to this day.

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.

Please visit our website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/newry-and-mourne-museum