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