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