Newry: A pleasant town in Northern Ireland with a long history
Newry Town Hall This evening, I am posting information on the Northern Irish town of Newry in County Down. Location is about forty miles S.W.of Belfast. Summary facts and information as follows: The name is derived from a corruption of the Gaelic term for a yew tree planted by St. Patrick. A castle existed in medieval times. This was destroyed and re-built many times culminating in a 1578 re-build by Nicholas Bagenal who is accredited as the founder of the town from which modern Newry grew. Bagenal was also responsible for building the (Protestant) Parish Church of St. Patrick. Newry was severely damaged by fire caused by forces loyal to the Catholic King James II in 1689 but was subsequently re-built with a focus on port and trade facilities which in turn generated wealth to finance fine buildings which are evident today. The (Catholic) Cathedral of St. Patrick and St. Colman is built in the Perpendicular style and dates from 1829. The Town H...