CHARITY No. NIC102927
SECRETARY'S REPORT year ended 30th JUNE 2024
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The Societ￿5 year began on Tuesday 26 September 2023 with the 50 Annual General Meeting
which was held in The Parish Centre, Rathfriland, The chair, Margot Groves, welcomed all present
especially Maureen Ervine our newest member.
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After the formal business of the Annual General Meeting was conducted Margot introduced the
speakers for the evening. Mr Brian Appleton gave a comprehensive talk ors the history of the Royal
British Legion. He began by pointing out the importance and symbolism of the bright red Flanders
poppy which was the only plant that would grow in the fields that had been turned into mud. At the
conclusion of the talk Mr Gary Gardiner, a local historian, introduced members to his extremely
comprehensive collection of military memorabilia, including guns; hand grenades, knives and other
articles of war.
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On 5 October 2023 the Society held a very successful trlp to Lisburn to vlslt The Irish Linen Centre in
Lisburn where we saw the vi51ting British Museum Egyptian exhibition, We also saw the 'Flax to
Fabric, exhibition and learned how the workers were so skilled in weaving the linen. On the way
home 3 very welcome stop was made at The Angler's Rest where we all enjoyed the usual high
culinary standard which has so obvlously continued after covid.
The October meeting was a talk by Claran Conliffe who had chosen for his toplc Horrible Histories,
This centred on the Irlsh Witch trials. Members were treated to some gruesome details including
burning at the stake. He mentioned that there were various witchcraft trials but the most famous
were those of the Islandmagee witches in 1711,
For the November meetlng we welcomed Newry historian Jason Diamond who gave a
comprehensive and lengthy talk about the poetess, writer and author, Helen Waddell.
On 13th December 2023 a well-attended lunch was held in the Downshire Arrns in Hilltown when 25
members and guests enjoyed a sumptuous repast of seasonal food. The craic was mighty and all who
attended agreed that it was a great success.
The January 2024 meeting was a showing of the new Downton Abbey filrn and this was greatly
enjoyed by the large audience present

CHARITY No. NIC102927
The February 2024 meeting was an Olde Tyme Music Hall event held in Chandlers House with the
ever popular Strings and Sings ensemble. The MC for the evening was Mr Leonard Anderson who
kept the enthusiastic audience entertained with a rich variety suitable introductions to the various
participant5. Also appearing on the bill were the well-known entertainer and storey teller Eileen
Mccusker from Hilltown and members of the Banbridge Choral Society. This event was part of our
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50 Anniversary celebration5 and it wa5 made possible by grant aid from the National Lottery
Heritage Fund.
The March meeting was a talk by Anthony Russell entitled 'Beyond the Battle, Newry and Mourne
1798. In the course of his talk Mr Russell explained how the 1798 rebellion by the United Irishmen
affected the Newry and greater South Down area including Rathfriland. The rebellion had been
influenced by the French Revolution and the American War of Independence.
On Tuesday 30th April our guest speaker was Hugh Mcshane from Newry a very prominent historian,
writer of several books and an acknowledged expert on the Newry workhouse. His topic was
entitled 'Australia Bound, The Female Orphan5 of Newry Workhouse. Between 1848 and 1850 what
became known as the Earl Grey Scheme was In operation. He was the Secretary of State for the
colonies and the aim of the scheme was to reduce overcrowding in the Workhouses, provide labour
in Australia and reduce the big gender Imbalance there. Of the 4000 plu5 girls sent to Australia 35
were from Newry. One of these 8irls, Lucy Ellis went on to marry an Australian and died aged 55 in
her own home.
The Natlonal Lottery Heritage Grant of £9,942 that we had been awarded in September 2022 to be
Used in furtherance of our 50 anniversary celebrations ha5 now all been spent. It was very welcome
and has enabled us to hold variou5 events and functions to a very high standard. There wa5 the Capt.
Moonlite prelaunch event held In Chandlers House and h05ted by historian Jason Diamond.
Followin8 this we were able to run a two-day exhlbltSon In Chandlers House featuring historical
memorabilia pèrtinent to Rathfriland and Its envlrons.
We also updated and completely reprinted the Town Trail booklets givin8 information on 36 points
of interest in and around Rathfriland. We have replaced the existing plaques and obtained
extra new plaques all complete with a QR code. New publicity material was obtained and our
Improved and updated website was launched.
We organised a historical trip to the Ring of Gullion whlch Included afternoon tea and one to the
Lisburn Museum which included an evenlng meal. We were also able to organise a Christmas
celebration meal in December 2023.
Finally, we held a very well received art competition for the local primary and secondary schools.
The Rathfriland Historical Society wishes to records its very best thanks to the National Lottery
Heritage Fund for making all this possible
Dorothy James
SECRETARY