A Newry Canal celebration could be set for a return this year to the border city after a 20-year hiatus.
The annual maritime event began in 1975 until 1994 and was considered a unique week-long family occasion in Northern Ireland with the likes of footballing greats, George Best and Pat Jennings cutting the ribbon to the festival.
However, in recent times Newry, Mourne and Down council has focused on generating festivals in its wider district areas such as Newcastle, Warrenpoint and south Armagh.
Chairperson of the council’s arts working group, Newry SDLP councillor Doire Finn, said: “NMDDC commends the work and success of Eats and Beats, Footsteps in the Forest and Wake the Giant and agree to commencing work towards a festival for Newry City.”
The council’s economy, regeneration and tourism committee deferred the motion to be discussed at the recently developed arts working group with a report due back within the next six months.
Credit: Newry & Mourne Museum Collection
Councillor Finn added: “The idea for this motion was borne from recognition that Newry has so much untapped potential.
“I’ve said it time and time again, our city could be absolutely incredible. We have a canal that should and could be the envy of other cities and I hope there will be an opportunity to work with the council’s newly formed canal regeneration group as part of this work.”
Slieve Croob Alliance councillor Helena Young added: “There are some of us in the chamber who are mature enough to recall the Newry Canal festivals. They ran from 1975 to 1994 and I remember every single one of them.
“There would have been celebrities launching it every year, including our own Pat Jennings, George Best and Jackie Fullerton. There were many activities during the week, but the absolute pinnacle was the bathtub race in Newry Canal with not a care for health and safety as competitors built their own rafts and more often than not ended up in the water.
“It would be great to see something similar happening again.”
Credit: Newry & Mourne Museum Collection
A Sinn Fein motion for a two-day music festival in the city was also approved by the same committee, though the discussion on the matter was during a confidential session away from the media and public view.
Following the meeting, Newry Sinn Fein councillor Cathal King said: “We’ve been working towards this for many months with council officials and an experienced events group, and this decision is a major step forward.
“This festival will be a real boost for Newry businesses, bringing increased footfall to cafés, bars, restaurants and shops, while giving local residents a fantastic festival right on their doorstep.
“We now hope all councillors will support this important delivery and help ensure Newry gets the festival it deserves.”
Credit: Newry & Mourne Museum Collection
