4. People

4. The People

Pat’s gift for capturing the character of the people of south Down, workers and walkers, children, friends and neighbours, was remarkable. These photographs show a very different world from that photographed by Cecil Newman only twenty years later, while the contrast with today is hard to comprehend.

4.2 Along Brandy Pad, January 1946

A sign of the times is that all of the women are wearing skirts, not trousers. (H-110)

4.3 surveying the view

It is interesting to note that these two men are dressed in their ordinary clothes, not the special walking gear that we would now expect to see. (H-116)

4.4 – 4.5 Two stonemasons, 1956

On the right is Cecil Cousins. We haven’t been able to identify the man on the right. (H-180) (left) (H-182) (right)

4.6 Caption old thatched forge, Glenloughan, Lisnacree, 1945

While horses were still in common use, blacksmiths were needed in most towns and villages. Note all the old horse shoes piled in a corner on the left of the photograph and the tool box shaped like an anvil. (H-072)

4.7 The Village Blacksmith 1942.

(H-183)

4.8 Barney sloan, July 1943

A particularly striking portrait. (H-179)

4.9 Auction at J Curran’s, 1948

Pat took this photograph of an auction, probably for letting or selling land or property, outside Joe Curran’s house at 36 Newry Street, Kilkeel (opposite the Hudson family home). The auctioneer, Joe Curran, is standing centre back with solicitor, John Haughey. (H-005)

4.10 McCarthy Fish and Fruit Importers’ lorry

This lorry from Cootehill in Co Armagh was photographed on Newry Street, Kilkeel, 1940. It was probably on the way to the harbour to collect fresh fish. ? The man sitting on the lorry was called McCarthy. (H-056)

4.11 YMCA workers, september 1945

This canteen was probably established during the war, primarily to cater for military personnel. The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) was founded in England in 1844. A major voluntary sector provider, it now supports young people, in a variety of ways, throughout the world. Left to right: Uriah Graham, Jim Graham, Norma Hanna, Anna Chambers, May Edgar, Fanny Chambers, Marjorie McKee, Alex Girvan. (H-135)

4.12 GI brides and friends, April 1946

The First Armored Division of the US Army arrived in County Down in 1942, prior to duty in Europe. Their headquarters was Castlewellan Castle but there were bases elsewhere, including the Old Gaol in Downpatrick (now the Museum). This photograph was taken at a farewell dinner in the Royal Hotel, Kilkeel, reminds us of one of the many ways local society was affected. From left to right around the table are Florrie Scott, Etta Cole, Patricia Donnan, Bridie Hogg, Mary Kearney, Sybil Kearney, Mary Catherine Cole, Mary and Josie Rodgers, ?, Madge Graham, Peggy Gorman, Frances Kearney, Eileen McKibbin, Ellie Donnan, Laura Rossi and Annie Marks. (H-068)

4.14 This is an unusual and therefore particularly interesting school photograph, taken inside the classroom, rather than with children outside in formal rows. Back row: Arthur Doran (the Principal), Leo Cunningham, Justin Phillips, Phil Higgins, Vera (Quinn) Cunningham, Willie Phillips, John Phillips. 2nd row: Annie Morgan, Maureen Rooney, Mary McKibben, Marie (Quinn) Leary. 3rd row: Tommy Cunningham, Thomas Rooney, Tom Higgins, John Quinn. 4th row: Kathleen (McCartan) Rooney, Josephine (Phillips) Brown, Maureen (Dick) Shields. 5th row: Edmund Phillips, Nicky Sloan, Tommy Sloan, James Quinn. 6th row: Helen Cunningham, Bridie (Phillips) Smyth, Rose (Quinn) Crawford, Una (Quinn) Rice. Front row: Joe Rooney, Henry Phillips, Bertille Phillips, Jim Dick. (H-012)

4.13 Brackney school, March 1945

This school building, located off the road to the Silent Valley, is typical of many rural primary schools of the time. The building later became the Irish Mountaineering Club hut. (H-014)

4.15 Brackney school

A group of younger children at the school. (H-016)

4.17 Dog cart, April 1947

The young boy being pulled in the cart was a member of the Doyle family. (H-184)

5.1 Farm yard with hens

The wooden plough in the right foreground is typical of those used in the Mournes, well into the twentieth century. A plough like this in the Museum’s collection came from Dunavil, Kilkeel. (H-187)