Warrenpoint

Template:Infobox Irish Place Warrenpoint (from Irish An Phointe 'the point' - alternatively Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua meaning "the promontory/point of the red-haired servant") is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, lying on Carlingford Lough. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 7,000. It is known for the Maiden of the Mournes festival and for the nearby Narrow Water Castle dating from the 1660s. Also nearby is the Burren Heritage Centre. The town docks are capable of handling large vessels.

History

Warrenpoint is a modern parish only named since around 1744. Previously it was part of Clonallon parish. The town, in Ringmacilroy town land, as late as 1780, consisted of only a few fishermen's & oystermen's huts and two houses.

Its scenic beauty and coastal location instigated rapid development so that the population in 1824 was 500 & in 1831 was 1,000. In 1836 there was a school, court house, a Savings Bank, 4 policemen and a Farming Society.

Fairs were held once a month and a market every Friday. However, in the mid 19th century, Newry merchants obtained a government grant to create a tidal dock at the village, as prior to 1850; ships of above 150 tons could not get further up the Lough than Narrow water. All goods had to be transported by land or after 1849, by rail to Newry. In 1846 the population was 683 people.

With the advent of the Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor railway opening in 1849, the way of life changed for the residents of Warrenpoint. Thousands flocked to the resort every year. Upon arrival many took the ferry to Omeath (Co. Louth) to spend the day there and return. Locals turned their homes into holiday accommodation. A bandstand in the park provided concerts for the holiday makers and a swimming pool was first built a year later in 1908.

Warrenpoint has seen violence during the course of the Troubles; for more information see The Troubles in Warrenpoint.

Places of interest

Old Narrow Water Castle just outside the town is a three-storey tower house built in 1560 to protect the entrance to the Newry river estuary. Across the road is the New Narrow Water Castle built in 1840. There is also a golf club in Warrenpoint which has held many competitions over the years, recently it held the Ulster boys and it also held the Ladies European Tour in 2003 which Sophie Gustasfen won.

Today a small modern passenger Ferry service operates out of Warrenpoint to the quaint village of Omeath in Co. Louth. The trip takes , amid spectacular scenery, about 15 minutes. The Ferry service is over 100 years in existence. Nowadays, its seasonal and operates daily in the summer months from May to September.

The award winning Municipal Park is a regular meeting place where locals, day trippers and holiday makers congregate. In the summer months the ornate bandstand plays host to many silver and brass bands from the surrounding locality. Its located beside the beach right in the center of the town. This year is the Bandstands centenery year, and a number of events will be taking place to mark this anniversary.

The Links 18 hole golf course is of a very high standard and is a popular venue for visitors.

Two small inland lakes , the "Mill Dam " and the " Waterworks" offer a variety of fishing for locals and visitors. A permit is needed to fish these lakes located about 1km from the town centre..

The town was also used as a doppelganger for Bundoran in the film The Butcher Boy, especially the exterior of the Star of the Sea Convent and the Victorian Swimming Baths.

Education

• Carrick Primary School
• Clontifleece Primary School
• Dromore Road Primary School
• St. Dallan's Primary School
• St. Mark's High School

2001 Census

Warrenpoint is classified as a Small Town by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 4,500 and 10,000 people). On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 7,000 people living in Warrenpoint. Of these:

• 26.7% were aged under 16 years and 16.8% were aged 60 and over
• 48.3% of the population were male and 51.7% were female
• 90.0% were from a Catholic background and 8.5% were from a Protestant background
• 4.3% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed

For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service

People

• Irish literary critic Denis Donoghue was brought up in Warrenpoint.
• Social Democratic and Labour Party politician Carmel Hanna is from the town.
• Actor Patch Connolly also lived in Warrenpoint.
• Golfer Ronan Rafferty was born here.[1]

References

• Culture Northern Ireland

External links

• Clonallon Church, Warrenpoint

• St. Peter's Gaelic Athletic Association, Rinn Mhic Giolla Rua
• Warrenpoint area photos from the past and some from the present day
• Maiden of the Mourne's Festival Website

See also

• List of towns in Northern Ireland
• List of villages in Northern Ireland
• Wikipedia page on Warrenpoint GAA