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The last few weeks have seen many large events taking place in the local area, which brings back memories of an event from yesteryear, Newry Canal Festival. Newry and Mourne Museum’s collection contains many artefacts including agendas, flyers, photographs and newspaper cuttings of the festival.
First taking place in 1975 and running annually until 1994, the festival was a major hit and featured many family friendly activities centred around the canal and the streets of Newry. A key aim of the festival was to create a more positive atmosphere around the town. The festival was organised by a committee made up of various stakeholders, including business owners, staff from Newry and Mourne District Council and the Co-Operative at the WIN business park.
To help finance the festival, corporate sponsorship was sought, and in 1986 Guinness became the official sponsor, and the festival was renamed the Guinness Newry Canal Festival. Other main sponsors included Newry and Mourne District Council, Pepsi Cola, Cawoods, Calor Gas and the Allied Irish Bank. Dozens of local small businesses became patrons of the festival.
There were many sponsored events including a half marathon and fun run along the Warrenpoint Road which raised funds for charities. In 1988 over £10,000 was raised for Newry and Mourne Gateway Club, cystic fibrosis and leukaemia research.
In the days long before social media, the festival was publicised in the local newspapers and through posters and flyers. For the duration of the event a festival information caravan was set up in the town centre, giving people the opportunity to find out when and where all the events were taking place. There was even a dedicated festival radio that broadcast daily between 9am and 6.30pm, live from Cupid’s Niteclub. Flyers were distributed which had a number to call so listeners could phone in their song requests.
A lot of preparation was involved in organising the festival, with members from the local community invited to take part. In 1989 a call was put out to “join the festival fun”, in order to repeat the staggering success of previous festivals. The sheer number of events was outstanding. In 1988 the festival comprised of 106 events with 4,518 participants and 11,700 spectators.
The festival would be opened with a grand festival parade, beginning in Albert Basin and finishing in Margaret Square. Several celebrities officially opened the festival over the years, including Pat Jennings in 1984, George Best in 1987 and Jackie Fullerton in 1989.
Sporting events included a swimming gala in Newry Swimming Pool, a strong man competition in Newry Sports Centre, clay pigeon shooting and a coarse angling competition. Social events included a children’s talent competition, pleasure cruises on the canal, Little Miss Newry, and a Charleston Week at The Speakeasy, Cornmarket, where patrons in Charleston dress received a 10% discount. There were several art exhibitions held over the week in Newry Town Hall and Arts Centre, including photographs from Newry Camera Club.
A highlight of the festival was the bathtub race on Newry Canal. Described as ingenious craft, hilarious craft and family fun. Competitors over five different classes would row up the canal in their incredibly decorated home-made rafts.
In the years it ran Newry Canal Festival created many lasting memories and left an incredible legacy for the town of Newry.
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
