Thomas Austin

During the later 1800s the fishing industry grew significantly. By the 1900s one third of all Irish caught herring was landed in Kilkeel Harbour. One man who had a great passion for the sea and wished to help and encourage local men in their trade was Lord Newry (later the 4th Earl of Kilmorey). His […]

Kilkeel author Matt Maginnis has published a book exploring the experiences of Mourne merchant seamen during the First World War. It documents their close encounters with the German U-Boats and tells us all about the experiences of the captains and their crews from Kilkeel and Annalong along with Killowen, Dundrum and Newry. Matt Maginnis hopes […]

Over 200,000 Irishmen joined the war effort even though conscription was not enforced. These men were sent to the fields of France and the beaches of Turkey. While these men were off fighting however, dramatic events were unfolding on Irish soil which would change the way the Great War was remembered in Ireland. Irish recruitment […]