2. Landscape and land use

While Cecil Newman photographed the natural beauty of the Mournes, as seen in the images here, he was particularly interested in how the landscape has been used, and often abused, especially in recent times.

The quality of granite in the Mournes was recognised from early times and dressed stone was being exported in the early nineteenth century. As towns and cities grew throughout the United Kingdom, the demand for stone increased and the granite industry developed to meet this. Around the time of the famine this was an important source of income for many smallholders. Small-scale operations declined at the turn of the twentieth century and from the 1940s were increasingly replaced by industrial scale activities. Stones, sand and gravel were all quarried for use in construction and this largely unregulated expansion concerned Cecil.

Manufacturing throughout Mourne has traditionally been based on towns such as Warrenpoint, Newcastle and Kilkeel mainly focused on the textile industry. In more recent times this extended to aircraft furnishings in Kilkeel and paper cases and castors in Warrenpoint.However, after World War II tourism grew in importance as car ownership increased and mountain walking became more popular. The establishment of forest parks and other visitor attractions, along with increased accommodation and catering facilities, helped to expand this industry. This form of expansion and regeneration is as much a subject of debate for planners today as it was in Cecil’s time in the Ministry of Development. The difficulty is in balancing visitor access whilst maintaining the scenic rural landscape. At the same time there was, and still is, a real need to improve infrastructure and increase the standard of living in an area characterised by traditional small farms. Cecil and his colleagues believed that development should be sympathetic to the heritage in the Mournes.

2.2 Bearnagh – snow

At 739 m, Slieve Bearnagh is one of the highest peaks in the Mournes. Crowned by distinctive granite tors, it was described by Estyn Evans as one of the most picturesque summits. This is a similar view to one photographed by Pat Hudson (see Part 1, Chapter 2, H-119). (N-903)

2.3 Newry Gap & Carlingford Lough

This location marks the passage of a large glacier through into the Carlingford Lough area and from this position offers a stunning view across the natural landscape. Cecil took the photograph from the southern shore of the lough, in Co Louth, looking north to Down, with Newry at the top left of the picture. (N-815)

2.4 Hare’s Gap Snow Aug 67

This beautiful snow scene reminds us of the way in which Hare’s Gap itself was shaped and deepened by the passage of ice between two summits. (N-110)

2.5 Mournes from Windy Gap, 29.5.66

Windy Gap, between Eagle Mountain and Slievemoughanmore, is so called because of the effects of converging wind currents in creating powerful gusts through the gap. The small boy on the right is Cecil’s youngest son, Michael. (N-012)

2.7 Moneydarragh

This traditional thatched cottage, set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, typifies rural heritage in the Mourne region. (N-313)

2.8 Stone walling Aug ’68

The spread of stones across the field on the left reflects the hard work and skill involved in clearing land in the Mournes and making the drystone walls for which the region is well known. (N-338)

2.9 Binnian & Farm Aug ’67

This photograph shows a typical cluster of small farmhouse and outbuildings on the slopes of the mountain. (N-342)

2.10 Bloody Bridge Nissen Hut & River 22.3.66

Nissen huts were invented during the First World War as a means of providing accommodation for troops. Based around a metal frame with a semi-circular corrugated iron roof, the huts were prefabricated making them quick and easy to assemble. In the Second World War they were again used as shelters and stores. This one was used as a summer house for the Corbett family from Fedany, Banbridge, in the early 1950s. The bridge in the background is the original Bloody Bridge. The main road between Newcastle and Kilkeel crosses a new bridge to the left of this picture. (N-376)

2.11 Kinnahalla Nissen Cottage

This Nissen hut, east of Hilltown, has been converted into a cottage with chimneys. Since the photograph was taken the cottage has been developed further into a more typical bungalow with vertical walls and a pitched roof. (N-170)

Above left:

2.12 Cranfield Concrete Products Works

Underlying glacial deposits provide Cranfield and Kilkeel with sand and gravel reserves. This natural resource, coupled with the finer aggregate produced by local quarries, enabled the development of concrete production works such as this one in Cranfield. (N-209)

Above right:

2.13 Kilkeel – Aircraft Furnishings Ltd May ’68

Aircraft Furnishing Limited had been manufacturing aircraft seats for over 40 years when, in the mid 1990s, it was taken over by B/E Aerospace. The factory continues to produce seats and furnishings for some of the best-known airlines today. (N-262)

Right:

2.14 Kilkeel – Mourne Hatcheries, Kilkeel May 1968

Mourne Hatcheries operated close to the Aircraft Furnishing premises, on what is now the site of Kilkeel Business Park, on the corner of Moor Road and Newcastle Road. It was owned by a Mr Hughes. (N-248)

2.15 Tollymore Forest

Tollymore was the first forest park to be established in Northern Ireland, and opened to the public in 1955. The estate had belonged to the Earls of Roden until 1941, when it was sold to the Northern Ireland government. The house was demolished in 1952 but the park is popular with local people and visitors alike. (N-898)

3.3 Modern and traditional houses

This photograph demonstrates Cecil’s concern for unregulated development in the Mournes. Older houses were being abandoned or replaced by modern houses, often in a ‘suburban’ style. Despite stricter regulation in recent times, the debate continues on what is ‘appropriate’ development. (N-375)