Displaying the Newry City Charter, which was presented to the city in May 2002, are Barry Owens, City Centre Manager; Cllr Frank Feely, vice-chairman of Newry and Mourne Council; Gerard O'Hare, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade; and Tom McCall, Council Clerk and Chief Executive.Displaying the Newry City Charter, which was presented to the city in May 2002, are Barry Owens, City Centre Manager; Cllr Frank Feely, vice-chairman of Newry and Mourne Council; Gerard O'Hare, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade; and Tom McCall, Council Clerk and Chief Executive.
Displaying the Newry City Charter, which was presented to the city in May 2002, are Barry Owens, City Centre Manager; Cllr Frank Feely, vice-chairman of Newry and Mourne Council; Gerard O'Hare, President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade; and Tom McCall, Council Clerk and Chief Executive.

RETRO REPORTER: 26 pictures looking at life in Newry from 2002

By Michael Scott
Published 13th May 2025, 14:29 BST
It was the year that Newry became a city.

2002 was a big year for Newry and it’s to that year in history that we have gone to for this instalment of our 'Retro Reporter' series.

In particular we’ve opened the edition dated Thursday, May 16 where the front page brought news that Cllr Frank Feely, the vice-Chair of Newry and Mourne District Council, had accepted the Letter Patent from Queen Elizabeth II, granting city status to Newry.

"May 14, 2002 now ranks alongside the founding of the Monastery in 1444, the granting of the charter in circa 1157, and 1613 when King James I granted the town a corporation,” the Reporter said.

Also in the news that week, Newry and Mourne District Council was being urged to retain St Christopher’s Park for the city’s Traveller community.

SDLP councillor Pat McElroy was also calling for the upgrading of the site and for bungalows to be built for Traveller community.

In sport Armagh were about to take on pre-championship favourites Tyrone in Clones in the Ulster Senior Football Championship.

Can you spot anyone you know in our gallery of pictures?

Most Rev John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore, pictured with pupils of Glen Primary School who were confirmed in May 2002. Included are Fr Jarleth Cushenan PP and school principal Mr Donal McEvoy.

1. Retro Reporter

Most Rev John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore, pictured with pupils of Glen Primary School who were confirmed in May 2002. Included are Fr Jarleth Cushenan PP and school principal Mr Donal McEvoy. Photo: Newry Reporter

Pupils from Barr Primary School pictured after their confirmation with Most Rev John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore, Fr Jarleth Cushenan PP and school principal Mr William MacLennan.

2. Retro Reporter

Pupils from Barr Primary School pictured after their confirmation with Most Rev John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore, Fr Jarleth Cushenan PP and school principal Mr William MacLennan. Photo: Newry Reporter

Staff and students from Newry and Kilkeel Institute of Further and Higher Education's School of Hospitality and Tourism photographed with their collection of medals and awards from IFEX 2002.

3. Retro Reporter

Staff and students from Newry and Kilkeel Institute of Further and Higher Education's School of Hospitality and Tourism photographed with their collection of medals and awards from IFEX 2002. Photo: Newry Reporter

Gerry Morgan (Chairman of Romanian Appeal Helpline) shows the plans for a new orphanage to Sr Ann Murphy and St Tarcisius. Also in the picture is Paul Rogan (Romanian Appeal Helpline Co-Ordinator). The Sisters received a certificate in recognition of their generous donation of equipment including theatre lamp and hospital beds.

4. Retro Reporter

Gerry Morgan (Chairman of Romanian Appeal Helpline) shows the plans for a new orphanage to Sr Ann Murphy and St Tarcisius. Also in the picture is Paul Rogan (Romanian Appeal Helpline Co-Ordinator). The Sisters received a certificate in recognition of their generous donation of equipment including theatre lamp and hospital beds. Photo: Newry Reporter

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