| I would like to take this opportunity to | | | | |
| welcome you to Newry, one of Northern | | | | Newry offers some of the finest scenery in |
| Ireland's oldest towns. | | | | Northern Ireland, with the Ring of Gullion to |
| | | | the south-west and the Mourne Mountains to |
| Newry lies in the most south-eastern part of | | | | the east. Both have been designated as areas |
| Northern Ireland, in the north-south corridor | | | | of outstanding natural beauty. The river |
| between Belfast and Dublin. As such it has | | | | Clanrye runs through the city and |
| developed into one of the most popular | | | | historically formed the border between Armagh |
| shopping towns in Ireland. Cross border trade | | | | and Down. The city's Town Hall was built on |
| has increased, which has meant both the Quays | | | | top of the river. |
| and the Buttercrane enjoying high footfall in | | | | |
| their stores. | | | | Newry can boast some famous sons with Pat |
| | | | Jennings, former goalkeeper and Northern |
| Newry's recent past has seen it being | | | | Ireland's most capped player born in the |
| conferred with city status in 2002. One of | | | | city. Mountaineer Terence "Banjo" Bannon is |
| two cities in Northern Ireland bestowed with | | | | from the city, as is John Dunlop, prominent |
| this honour by the Queen, the other being | | | | Presbyterian churchman. John Mitchell, the |
| Lisburn. | | | | driving force behind the Young Ireland |
| | | | Movement is buried in the Old Meeting House |
| Newry history shows that it was founded in | | | | in the city. |
| 1144 alongside a Cistercian Monastery. It was | | | | |
| destroyed by fire in 1689 by the forces of | | | | Newry has a population which has grown |
| King James II during the Williamite war. The | | | | steadily and in a census carried out in 2001 |
| city was rebuilt afterwards and became a busy | | | | its population numbered 27433 people. Newry |
| trading town. By 1742 its port became the | | | | house prices have also increased dramatically |
| busiest in Ulster and as result its canal | | | | by 371% since 1996, topping a poll for the |
| opened making it the first major canal in | | | | whole of the United Kingdom. |
| Britain, it ran for 18 miles to Lough Neagh. | | | | |
| | | | Sport plays a major part in the fabric of the |
| Newry is also the home of Ireland's highest | | | | city with Pairc Esler being the home of Down |
| viaduct, Craighmore Viaduct which lies to the | | | | GAA. The city also boasts a soccer club which |
| North of the city and consists of 18 arches; | | | | play at the Showgrounds in the city. There |
| it was designed by Sir John O Neill and | | | | are a wide range of activities available in |
| opened in 1852. | | | | the city, with a museum, arts centre and a |
| | | | number of art galleries available. |
| The city has strong links to St Patrick, the | | | | |
| English interpretation of the name comes from | | | | Accommodation in the city can be found in the |
| the Irish (Lur Chinn Tra) which means the yew | | | | magnificent surroundings of the Canal Court |
| at the head of the strand, which St Patrick | | | | Hotel. Centrally located, the hotel offers a |
| is said to have planted in the 5th Century. | | | | superb base while staying in the city. |
| | | | |
| Ireland's first protestant church is also in | | | | As you can see Newry has a varied history and |
| the city and bears St Patrick's name. It | | | | a lot to offer for those tourists looking a |
| first opened its doors in 1578. Newry's other | | | | short break away from it all. So come and |
| main Cathedral is St Patrick's and St | | | | stay in Newry and experiences all the city |
| Colman's which was built in 1829, it was | | | | has to offer. |
| designed by architect Thomas Duff. | | | | |